We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Andrea Hunter a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Andrea with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
Since I was a child my parents have always instilled work ethic into my life. I had my first job at the age of 10 and never stopped working since then. I would sometimes work 2-3 jobs at a time to fill my plate and allow me the freedom to buy what I wanted, travel wherever I wanted to and also invest into my growing business as a photographer.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I am a professional photographer working in the industry for 15+ years. I specialize in creative portraiture creating works of art that are ethereal and other worldly such as fairies, mermaids and witches. I strongly believe that photoshoots aren’t just about the final product, but about the entire experience from start to finish. I want my clients leaving their sessions feeling amazing about themselves and getting that boost of confidence they may need at that time. I have also grown to owning a studio for 4 years that has 10 creatively themed sets that I switch around every few months to keep things fresh and interesting. I have also started hosting photography retreats for woman to get getaway and focus on themselves for a weekend surrounded by other powerful and uplifting woman. I have also been teaching workshops over the last year to share my knowledge with other aspiring photographers
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I’ve always prided myself in being a very hard worker, I go for what I want and won’t stop until I achieve my goals, which are constantly growing and advancing. Learning the ins and outs of business is a very important skill I wish I had put more time into when I was younger to avoid certain situations I’ve found myself in over the years, but I also believe experience is the best way to learn. As well as networking is one of the most important skills you need to be an entrepreneur and grow your business, I wouldn’t be where I am now without the people I have in my network
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
Feeling overwhelmed is a very normal thing when self employed. I understand it will never go away and I have learned to deal with it better as the years go on. It’s best to take downtime for yourself, there’s always something that needs to be edited/email that needs to be sent, but if your mental health is not at it’s best, those things can wait, it’s important to still enjoy life and take time for yourself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.andreahunter.ca
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andreahunterphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andreahunterphotography
Image Credits
Steva Plain, Kassandra Love, Madison Whitworth, Ashley Pagliuso, Vanessa Charters, Hannah the Mermaid
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
