We recently connected with Roxanne Engstrom and have shared our conversation below.
Roxanne, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
10 years?!?! It has been 10 years since I formally founded Hawa Images and Hawa LLC and I am reflecting a lot these days. I took the shakiest steps towards starting my business journey. A camera in one hand and a baby on my hip chasing two littles with no real clue what it meant to be an entrepreneur and too afraid to call myself that anyway I launched my first website, made my first post, and booked my first paying client. I was not confident or sure at all. But I did it. I took messy action. I am here to normalize doing it afraid because that is how I have seen success in my life. I think too often women wait for permission, timing or a specific season, more skills or knowledge, or the perfect plan. None of that will make you successful. You showing up, serving others joyfully, and being committed to your vision and growth will. Be brave enough to be a beginner.
We want to be a “professional” but often in that pursuit we erase the messy beginning and gritty growth parts of our story. I am committed to vulnerability as I become more of who God intends me to be as an entrepreneur. It has been and will continue to be messy but that journey is so worth it and I hope encourages you in your journey as well.
How it started:
I knew I loved creating pictures and sharing stories because it helped me create meaning from experiences that were changing me during the time I lived overseas. I especially was drawn to photography that moved people in compassion for people that they saw as different from themselves. During the most impactful four years of living on a small island in East Africa I became interested in photography and storytelling ethics. I took online photography courses and not having reliable electricity or internet all the time was my first lesson in the grit required to learn new things. My friends and neighbors there were gracious and loved helping me practice. On one of our trips home to Chicago we were sharing about the needs of the NGO Pamoja (means Togetherness in Swahili) where I worked as a teacher and after our presentation a older woman approached me and shared that she really struggled with fear of people from a different faith after the tragic events of 9-11 and that my photos helped her see all people as her “neighbors” and this moved her to have concern, compassion, and care for them- amazing and dear people that were friends to me but strangers to her. This was a profound moment for me. I realized the power of images in storytelling and expanding our compassion for others. I knew I wanted to be a part of crafting images that affirmed the beauty and humanity of all people.
I loved experimenting with photography but I also soon learned that creating images (or “taking pictures”- even that language is hard) can lead to exploitation and only telling the part of the story you want to tell. Creating images is both the art of sharing what IS and what you want to say about the subject. Photography lends itself towards exploitation and we as storytellers must approach this craft with humility and always be willing to learn.
I soon realized I had very little to offer and much to learn. There was such joy in the friendships I found in East Africa- forged through differences and a decision to move towards one another in mutual respect and love. I did not photograph my friends until I was invited in. Relationship OVER images became so important to me. To me visual peacemaking means spending time with people and really trying to see them. We all want to be seen and heard. And that seeing evokes in us common human emotions that deeply connect us all and compels us to share. This is why I so desperately wanted to participate in sharing their stories through photography and began to study and practice. I really believe the posture with which we engage people is more important than all the technical skills in the world. As I was deeply moved with my friend’s stories, I wanted to photograph the mundane and the beautiful, the joy comingled with deep pain and suffering because it was a way to really see them and connect our lives as I searched for meaning in it all. I was not “ready” to live there and learn to love in ways that cost me personally, to start over, to be stretched in the ways required of me, but that is exactly where God wanted me. And photography became one way I found and continue to find purpose and peace even in the midst of chaos.
These friendships left me profoundly changed and impact how and why I tell visual stories today. Being curious & open to learning is central to my approach. Focusing on our common humanity & calling us to action is my passion. Partnering and co-creating with my clients so they can share their stories with intention is my goal.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I am a visual storyteller that focuses on human emotion & connection. I help families, individuals, & couples to share their beautiful messy stories.
I also partner with humanitarian, non-for-profit organizations, and individuals building their brand share their stories with intention, dignity, & excellence, so they can have a greater impact on their communities.
As a female entrepreneur I get it- the messy, the hard: Being an entrepreneur is not easy. It requires lots of failing forward, like tears in my car after not booking a dream client but still prepping for a session that night. I want to make entrepreneurship seem like it’s all flexible lunches with friends and little hard work. The flexibility is an amazing perk but one that rewards all the grit required. I started this community to tell the real story I wish existed when I was trying to grow my business. I love partnering with organizations doing good and hard work in the world. I also help- especially women in business build their confidence through creating intentional storytelling for their business and brand starting with collaborating with them. Brand Storytelling Sessions are all about building confidence and communicating who you are and what makes you unique with your ideal clients through imagery. I am most proud of how my clients tell me they feel after our sessions- I take being your hype squad seriously!
Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
I wish I had realized earlier that the greatest investment in your business is not gear or a website designer, etc- it is YOU- invest in yourself- you build skills and grit and take that wherever the journey of entrepreneurship takes you. I now offer 1:1 coaching for this reason- I want to help people get where they want to go faster than I did and build confidence in themselves through action and showing up for themselves. I also wish I knew earlier that the only way to really hone in and figure out what makes you unique is to try and evaluate- rinse and repeat. Don’t be so afraid of making mistakes that you miss opportunities to grow and get gritty.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
Many people are always on the lookout on how to grow their business but I think that can be the wrong question- People want more followers, more clients, more money, etc but for me the question is “how can I radically serve my clients with the talents/skills I have and be authentically me?” That approach will grow your business. That is alignment. My business has grown because I focus on serving the clients I do have and treating them with respect. I want them not only to love their final gallery but also walk away from our session feeling celebrated and seen and encouraged. That word of mouth and the continued relationship over time matters. I want to serve even if there is not a clear benefit for me in that service. I want to be me and encourage others to be them and there is a freedom in knowing the right people will find you and be for you as you serve and share.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hawaimages.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hawaimages/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hawaimages
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roxanne-engstrom-a3a775165/
- Twitter: na
- Youtube: @roxanneengstrom8437
- Yelp: na
- Soundcloud: na
Image Credits
https://www.instagram.com/essiengerdelphotography/ for image of me shooting with white background