We were lucky to catch up with Stephanie Hennessy recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Stephanie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

I think the biggest obstacle has always been, “is it even possible?” Prior to opening and owning this wedding photography business, I was a 10-year property manager stuck in a corporate career that was absolutely miserable, and incredibly emotionally draining and toxic. Because I made this large and steady corporate salary, I just always thought I was required to continue the grind to continue to earn a 6-figure payment, and never thought there was another option. When covid hit, it was really my last straw in being able to mentally carry the career, and I started the photography business as a side-gig just to bring me some joy and add the hobby back in. After a little bit of marketing and business planning, it was made apparent that if I really put my head down and worked on this, it could possibly become a part time or full time income… and after a tough run in with my boss in April of 2021, I decided to market the hell out of the business and made a plan to quit in 60 days, and I did it.

Stephanie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

While I’ve been shooting for years, I put down my camera for almost a decade when I started my previous career, and had no time for additional hobbies, but it was always “the dream” in the back of my mind, and I’d even passed on attending a photography school in Boston due to family funds and my upbringing. After my career in property management was getting to my witts end, this career path opened a door for me and I just haven’t looked back since. The brand is specifically targeted to the nerds, outcasts, and alternative folks looking to get married and not seeing their idea of their wedding day represented in the industry, and this comes from a long line of years where I personally felt that I either didn’t fit in, or wasn’t represented in a way that made me feel safe in my community or in friend groups. When I formed the brand, the intention was for it to be a certain extension of myself, and create that community that I had been lacking for my entire childhood (and in a way, heal that part of my inner child that always thought this career was just impossible). My couples are offbeat and eclectic, and their weddings are, too, and they’re met with utmost support from a wedding vendor that actually understands their vision and the trauma they may be navigating in planning a day that doesn’t look conventional, around family issues that are difficult for others to understand, and it is my greatest passion.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I am just so grateful to own a business, that finally allows me to not only be myself (goodbye professional standard of having to use my full name, Stephanie, or wear business suits and heels and hide my tattoos in order to get promoted), but also live a life that I absolutely love, while supporting the happiest memories of others. My previous career was so surrounded by negative experiences (being a landlord takes a tough cookie), and this change has been the absolutely most rewarding thing I’ve ever been a part of.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

My business and marketing background has been so phenomenally in my journey as an entrepreneur that I simply can’t emphasize it enough: if you haven’t looked into business or marketing supplemental education or mentorships, you’re doing such a disservice to yourself and your clients. Especially in the creative field, there’s a lot of folks offering education, but they simply do not have the background that’s needed to help you, and I would recommend taking a few business courses before launching any type of creative business.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.hennessyphotoco.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/hennessyphotoco
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/hennessyphotoco