We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sydni Hornick. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sydni below.

Sydni, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

Every project I have worked on and created is meaningful to me because I have truly poured my heart and soul into each and every one. As I reflect, one of the of the most meaningful projects to me is a series of photos I created to symbolize the experience of being a woman who struggles with body image. Not only have I witnessed my mom and sister struggle with body image throughout the entirety of my life, but I have also struggled with my own body image. It was a beautiful experience to release the internalized struggle I face daily in an artistic way. It was even more beautiful to witness how this photo series had a positive impact on so many women. It reminded me of the importance of my role as a photographer, which is to create intentional photos that allow others to be seen.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Sydni. I am a photographer based on Maui. I specialize in photographing couples, portraits, brands, intimate weddings, and elopements. I began my photography journey young. I picked up my mom’s camera at the age of twelve and began photographing my friends. A family friend saw my photos and told my mom that she believed I had an eye for photography. She hired me to document her engagement photos, then she hired me to document her wedding. I was thirteen years old when I documented her wedding.

Each photographer has a unique perspective through the lens based on their own life experiences. I struggled with depression for years due to health complications from a connective tissue disorder. During that time, I sought after a feeling of connectedness to a purpose, people, and God. I found that photography made me feel connected to all. What I offer to each person and each moment that exists in front of my camera is my personal inclination to connect and document it as intentionally, authentically, and beautifully as I possibly can. When I take a photo, I focus on capturing as much life as I possibly can through a still image, carefully composing an image to highlight the nature that surrounds my subjects, and ways in which I can push myself creatively.

My photography career was and still is fueled by pure passion. The ability to build a career and sustain myself in life through an art form I am incredibly passionate about is a blessing. Photography is much more than taking photos to me…it is about connection and creating.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

At the beginning phases of my photography journey, I did not gain significant traction from a business perspective. As a result, I decided to attend college and only pursue photography part-time. When I first began college, I was on the pre-med track. After shadowing a physician, I realized I was on the wrong track and I changed my major to psychology. Shortly after graduating college with a B.S. in psychology, I moved to Maui. I had doubts in my ability to sustain myself with photography due to my experience thus far. I decided to reach out to photographers who were based on Maui prior to my move. A great photographer, who I now call a friend, assured me that I would thrive as a photographer on the island. With the support of my parents, my fiancé, and my photographer friend, I pursued photography full-time. This was the greatest pivot of my life and career. I pursued a degree because I felt it was the most practical and stable option, only to end up doing what I was most passionate about from the beginning. Having stability in the thing I am most passionate about is a blessing. I went to college with the intention of becoming a physician and ended up on an island as a full-time photographer. I always encourage others to be open to every pivot. I am grateful for this pivot.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn the lesson that being busy means you are successful. When my business grew after my move to Maui, I began taking on every project I was presented. This inevitably led to burnout. I learned that everyone has their own definition of success. When you start a business, you have to learn what your definition of success is. I learned that I feel the most fulfilled and the most successful when I take on projects that feel aligned for me. By being selective with the projects I take on, I am able to lend more of myself to each project.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @sydnisheaphotography