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

Tami, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

I have been building my business for 5 years starting in full 12 years ago in high school I was my high school yearbook photographer and then 5 years ago my daughter was born and I decided to try and get it started, I worked 2 jobs and babysat, while trying to start my business slowly dropping each job as I became more successful, finally I was able to quit everything other than photography, and after a year of full time I was able to retire my husband and he is not going on 2.5 years of being able to be a stay at home dad with our kids! I think picking a subject to focus on at the beginning could have helped me grow faster but it is so hard to choose!

Tami, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I started my love of photography over 12 years ago when I was in high school and became my high school year book photographer, it has taken 5 years to get to the point I am at now, of running my business full time, I love that my clients can count on me from all aspects of their life from their wedding day to when they have a little one come into the world! I am proud that I keep my pricing relatively affordable, even though photography is a luxury service I believe everyone should have beautiful photos of there life to remember!

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

I worked two jobs outside of photography when I began this, I was a CNA and a caregiver in a group home. After about a year I switched to just the group home and Photographer, and finally when I had my son decided to put both feet in and take the leap to just do photography but working those other jobs helped get everything started by buying all the equipment and props needed to start!

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

That not everyone you know is going to support you! I had a friend of multiple decades end up stealing over $10,000 worth of equipment from me when she was originally joining my team to help me grow. the biggest lesson I’ve learned is I have more random strangers on the internet that support me more than some people in my life, not saying I don’t have supporters in my life because I definitely do and I love them for it but sometimes people you expect to don’t, and you have to learn how to accept that!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.hughesphotovideollc.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hughesphotography1?igsh=NDZuZXExeG9sMDN4&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hughesphotography1