Meet Heather Hathaway

We recently connected with Heather Hathaway and have shared our conversation below.

Heather, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?

You know, that’s such a profound question, and I appreciate how it made me really think. In my interpretation, we’re all unique individuals – in most rooms, I truly am the only person who looks exactly like me. But I think this question goes deeper than physical appearance; it’s about standing confidently in your uniqueness, especially as a creative professional.
As a photographer and business owner, I’ve learned that being creative requires an incredible amount of self-acceptance and inner strength. There’s this constant vulnerability in putting your artistic vision out there – your technique, your style, your personality – it’s all on display. And honestly? That can be terrifying some days.
I’ve discovered that success in this space means you absolutely cannot afford to question your core abilities or worth. You have to be 100% committed to embracing yourself and your art, even when – especially when – you’re the only one advocating for your vision in the room.
When those inevitable moments of doubt creep in, I’ve developed some strategies that keep me grounded. Sometimes I’ll use AI tools to help me see my work from a fresh perspective – it’s like having an objective voice remind me of what I’m doing right and confirm I’m on the right track. Other times, I’ll spend time reviewing my past work, remembering the growth I’ve made and the clients whose lives I’ve touched through my photography.
The truth is, being ‘the only one’ – whether that’s the only creative, the only woman business owner, or simply the only person with my specific vision – has taught me that my uniqueness isn’t a limitation; it’s my greatest asset. It’s what makes my work irreplaceable and my perspective valuable.
That self-love and confidence? It’s not a destination – it’s a daily practice. And it’s absolutely essential for anyone who wants to succeed while staying true to themselves.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I’m a photographer, set designer, director, studio owner, and honestly? Your personal hype girl! Because let’s be real – photography is so much more than picking up a camera and clicking a button. It’s about human connection, storytelling, and creating magic in every single frame.
What I’ve learned in this industry is that the best photographers don’t just capture images – we capture souls. We take the time to learn about our subjects, to understand their stories, their dreams, their quirks. We become their biggest cheerleaders, their support system, and sometimes even their therapist for the day! Every person who steps in front of my lens gets the full Heather experience – because when people feel truly seen and celebrated, that’s when the real magic happens.
Here’s what I absolutely love about this work: the beautiful challenge of adaptability. Yes, I have my signature style – that authentic, storytelling approach that my clients love – but every client brings their own vision, their own energy, their own story to tell. My job is to blend my expertise with their uniqueness to create something extraordinary.
The variety in this career is literally my spice of life! Today I might be navigating the elegant, low-light ambiance of a romantic wedding venue, problem-solving on the fly to capture those intimate moments. Tomorrow, I’m in my studio, meticulously styling and lighting product shots, channeling my inner perfectionist. The next day? I’m on a sun-drenched beach, wrangling three generations of a family for their reunion photos, making grandma laugh while keeping the toddlers engaged.
This constant variety doesn’t just keep me on my toes – it keeps me sharp, constantly learning, and honestly, falling in love with my craft over and over again. Every new challenge pushes my technical skills forward, every new client teaches me something about human nature, and every different environment reminds me why I chose this path.
What’s exciting right now is how I’m expanding beyond just photography. I’m diving deeper into the creative direction side, really collaborating with clients on the full vision – from concept to styling to final delivery. It’s this holistic approach that sets my work apart and keeps every day feeling fresh and inspiring.
At the end of the day, I’m not just documenting moments – I’m creating heirlooms, building confidence, and helping people see themselves the way I see them: absolutely magnificent.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back on my journey from the corporate world to building Heather Hathaway Photography, three qualities have been absolutely game-changing for me:
1. Adaptability & Continuous Learning
This has been my secret weapon. When I transitioned from finance and insurance during COVID, I had to completely rewire my brain. Photography isn’t just about mastering your camera – it’s about adapting to every single scenario. One day I’m problem-solving low-light wedding challenges, the next I’m learning new product styling techniques, then I’m figuring out how to wrangle three generations on a beach!
My advice: Embrace being uncomfortable. Say yes to shoots that scare you a little, then figure it out. Take online courses, watch YouTube tutorials, but most importantly – practice constantly. Every challenge you overcome builds your confidence muscle.
2. Authentic Connection & Communication
This is what separates good photographers from unforgettable ones. I learned that being someone’s ‘personal hype girl’ isn’t just about being bubbly – it’s about genuinely caring about their story and making them feel seen. When clients trust you, they open up, and that’s when magic happens in front of the lens.
My advice: Start every interaction by listening more than you talk. Ask about their story, their vision, their fears. Practice genuine compliments – not just ‘you look great’ but ‘the way you look at each other tells such a beautiful story.’ People remember how you made them feel long after they forget technical details.
3. Business Acumen with Personal Accountability
Here’s where my corporate background became invaluable, but I had to adapt it for creative work. Being organized, self-motivated, and holding myself accountable became non-negotiables. In photography, you’re the CEO, marketing director, accountant, and artist all rolled into one. Without strong business foundations and personal discipline, even the most talented photographers struggle.
My advice: Treat yourself like your own boss – because you are! Create systems for everything: client workflows, editing processes, financial tracking. Set weekly goals and actually review them. Find an accountability partner or mentor. And remember – being organized isn’t about perfection, it’s about creating space for your creativity to flourish without the chaos overwhelming you.
The beautiful thing about this industry is that these skills compound. The more adaptable you become, the more confident you feel connecting with diverse clients. The stronger your business foundation, the more you can focus on the creative work you love. It’s all interconnected, and that’s what makes this journey so rewarding.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

Overwhelm is honestly something I’ve had to learn to manage as both a creative and business owner – and I’ll be the first to admit, it’s an ongoing practice!
My go-to strategy is getting back to basics: I’m naturally an organizer, so when that overwhelmed feeling creeps in, I immediately return to my lists and calendars. But here’s the key – I don’t just look at what’s on there, I audit the whole system. I ask myself the hard questions: Have I allocated realistic time for each task? Did I forget to write something down that’s been nagging at my subconscious? Am I being honest about my capacity?
I swear by the 1-2-3 priority method. Every task gets a number: 1 for ‘this absolutely must happen,’ 2 for ‘important but has some flexibility,’ and 3 for ‘would be nice but the world won’t end.’ Then I tackle all the 1’s first, no exceptions. It’s amazing how much mental space clears up when you’re not constantly wondering what you should be doing next.
But here’s what I’ve learned from experience – sometimes overwhelm isn’t actually about the workload. Sometimes it’s about perfectionism, or taking on too much because I want to please everyone, or not setting proper boundaries. When my organizing systems aren’t helping, that’s usually my cue to dig deeper.
My advice for anyone feeling overwhelmed: Start with a brain dump. Get everything out of your head and onto paper – tasks, worries, random thoughts, everything. Then organize it using whatever system works for you. But most importantly, be honest about what’s actually urgent versus what just feels urgent.
And here’s the thing I wish someone had told me earlier: it’s okay to reschedule, delegate, or even say no. Your overwhelm is often your intuition telling you that something in your system needs adjusting. Listen to it.
The goal isn’t to never feel overwhelmed – it’s to have tools ready when it happens, because in this business, it definitely will happen again!

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