Hi, beautiful! I’m Hope: mom to Clara, senior photographer and educator.
Currently obsessed with: being a momma to our first baby girl, Phish Food ice cream and a little extra caffeine.
I began my business when I was just 16 years old, and have since grown it into a full-time career photographing joyful clients and educating photographers about how to build strategic businesses + lives that they love. But, there's a whole lot more to me than the love for beautiful photos and digital marketing...so let's dive in!
ABout hope
THE NUMBERS
The year I began my business in high school
# of teachers that yelled at me for answering emails in class
The year I graduated high school + decided to take my business full-time
# of times I fought with my parents about not going to college
let's break it down...
Also the first year I made six-figures as a photographer 😉
The year I spoke at my first conference + began teaching other photographers
The number of photographers currently enrolled in my online courses
The year I moved to Charleston, SC + bought my first home
The year I got married + found out we were expecting our first baby girl!
BUT, everything changed when i decided to revoke my college admission.
If you had told me over 10 years ago that I’d have the opportunity to be a full-time photographer and business owner, I would have laughed. Because, the thing is, a few years ago I was just a high school student with a part-time job at a retail store. My life was a constant race between stocking shelves, studying for AP classes, getting to cheer practices, rushing through the halls and applying for universities. The thought of being an entrepreneur seemed daunting and far off, if not impossible.
Maybe the college I committed to attending wasn’t where I was supposed to be. Maybe, just maybe, the conventional path I had planned wasn't the only option. So, one morning, I made a big decision: I was revoking my admission to a 4-year business university and pursuing this crazy, seemingly unattainable dream full time. And I was going to chase after those dreams like a freight train.
I feel so thankful every day to have the opportunity to do what I love through serving and loving my clients.
And while photography is something that I love and adore - creating lasting relationships with my clients is where my heart will always lie. And, in my journey to pursue my purpose and build a business rooted in love, I’ve found an even deeper passion for educating and equipping other photographers to do the same.
ost days I still can't believe this is my life. The 16-year-old girl who was getting bullied for trying to be a photographer in high school would be beaming to know how her story unfolds...
But, enough about how this business of mine got started; let’s get to the important stuff
M
Hill House + Nuuly (IYKYK)
Place to shop
tv show
Lipstick
Accessory
Pale Blue
Color
Chicken Nuggets
Food
Popcorn, extra butter
movie snack
Shark Tank
Florence, Italy
Place i've been
best friend
White
NAIL color
Brunch (mimosas)
Anything Hayden cooks
MEAL
Taylor Swift (for life)
MUSIC
Frogs (I’m obsessed)
Animal
My Momma
Charleston, South Carolina
city
chik fil a order
Peonies!
flower
Strawberry Refresher
Strawberry Refresher (no berries!)
Starbucks order
Does home decor count?
Hobby
Marshmallow Fireside
Candle
8 ct. nugget + large fries
A Peek into My Life in the Low-Country
In addition to being packed with photography education, my YouTube channel has lots of videos that give you a peek into my day-to-day life! Vlogs, Q&As, a home tour, my proposal story...you can binge-watch it all!
watch them all
My Business Journey: How it all began
watch now
TOP PERSONAL VIDEOS
More on my YouTube Channel
I'm Engaged! Our Proposal Story
watch now
Our Savannah Home Tour
watch now
At age 16, I was working a part time job at a local retail store and stacking AP classes on top of cheer practice. I signed up for a photojournalism class as a way to trick my dad into buying me a nice camera (because it was required).
it all started with junior year
september 2012
I knew so little about photography that I was called out in front of my entire photojournalism class for having the wrong type of camera. OOPS. To Ebay I went!
It was a slow start
DECEMBER 2012
... with photography! Took photos more often for friends and family. Still working a part-time job. Still hustling through the hardest year of high school.
the leap of faith
April 2013
I quit my part-time job to pursue photography as more than just a hobby! Still, I was barely making money and still had so much to learn.
THE LEAP OF FAITH
may 2013
I turned seventeen and made my business officially official! I signed all the documents, filed all the paperwork and started paying taxes. AH!
SWEET SEVENTEEN
August 2013
I began my senior year of high school as a part-time student and full-time photographer. I had enough credits to leave class every day by 10am…and I HUSTLED.
DO THE HUSTLE
SEPTEMBER 2013
I began applying to colleges. First to art schools that were out of state…then to schools closer to home to pursue a degree in marketing...
College dreams
OCTOBER 2013
Acceptance letters starting rolling in. My business was growing. I had 6 schools to choose from, and I committed to the closest school: but still an 8-hour round trip from home (and my business).
BIG DECISIONS
JANUARY 2014
I graduated high school at age 17 with an advanced degree…and a full-blown, full-time business as a wedding photographer. I almost skipped graduation to photograph a wedding instead!
skip graduation
June 2014
I went to orientation at the college I had committed to. I met my roommate. Signed up for classes. Said hi to my professors. Paid all the fees and started shopping for my dorm! But, something didn’t feel right.
ORIENTATION
July 2014
After weeks of tearful praying and feeling unsettled…I made a huge decision. I revoked my admission to a four-year university to go full-time as a photographer!
PATH, CHOSEN
AUgust 2014
I photographed my very first SOLO wedding!!!
THE FIRST
APRIL 2014
I celebrated 5 years as a full-time business owner!
ANNIVERSARY
AUGUST 2018
HATS I WEAR
I like to do #allthethings at once... here’s a few of the
Mom:
My newest title thanks to my beautiful baby girl, Clara Jane, born in February 2024. She's the love of our lives!
Wife
Hayden and I got married on May 6th, 2023 in Bluffton, SC! It was the dreamiest day of my entire life and I'm so lucky to be married to my best friend.
CourSe Creator
I began teaching photographers in person in 2014. Then, I moved my education online so I could help educate hundreds of photographers from across the globe!
Photographer:
For over 12 years, my biggest love has been photographing joyful clients in front of my camera. I have been capturing senior portraits since I was 15 years old!
Business Coach:
Aside from photography, my biggest love is BUSINESS. I love all things strategy and digital marketing. This group here is one of my mastermind groups - I adore them!
DAUGHTER, SISTER, FRIEND
My family and friends are my number one priority in my life. My mom, dad, brother Nate and sister Abby are my favorite humans.
Meet Hayden
I’ve known this cutie since 4th grade, and we began dating in 2020 after years of being best friends. We got married on May 6th, 2023 and I still can't believe that I get to call him my HUSBAND! We live in our home in Savannah, GA with our daughter, Clara, our goldendoodle pup, Boone and our two rescue kitties: Bella and Boots!
Hayden is my best friend, my soft place to land after any hard day and my biggest supporter. I feel so lucky to be loved by him,
My Person
