Meet Mya Hardie

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

Mya, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?

My work ethic simply comes from how I was raised. While growing up, my parents taught me that if I wanted something I wasn’t going to be getting it handed to me. I would save every penny until I could buy it for myself. At the time I hated that I had to buy the toys or games I wanted for myself while other kids got it handed right to them, now I understand that my parents were just trying to teach me that nothing in life is easy and nothing gets handed to you. But if you work hard and stay focused on what you want to achieve, the outcome will be even greater than you ever could’ve imagined. Along with growing up in a family of hard-working people, I also am inspired daily by many photographers in my community that have told me their stories of how they built their business from the ground up. A local photographer once told me, “Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t make an honest living off of what you love to do. It is not about the hours spent in a classroom or the degree you have, instead, it is about never giving up on your dream and pursuing it even when it is challenging.”

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

Hi, my name is Mya Hardie, I am now 16 years old, but I started creating my business when I was 15, after receiving a canon camera for Christmas. My mission this year is to really grow my business and get my name out there! As long as I can remember, I have loved taking photos whether it would be on a cheap digital camera I got from Walmart, or just a cell phone. It has always been a passion of mine. As soon as I received my camera, I started fully immersing myself in the photography industry. I am a completely self-taught photographer, but I do ask questions and take advice from any photographers willing to help me out! In 2024 I prioritized shadowing other photographers and learning their methods and styles in hopes to create a style of my own. While, I mostly started out with equine photography, I have tried many other things, such as seniors, couples, parties, and sporting events. I have grown to love photographing all of these moments, but equine photography will always hold a special place in my heart. I am super excited to see where this year will take me in this venture, and am ready to embrace any opportunities that come my way!

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Some of my skills that I really utilized on this journey, have been that I am never afraid to ask questions, or admit that I don’t know everything. For anyone starting out in photography my best advice would be to seek out photographers that are willing to help. There are so many generous people that are eager to share their knowledge with you! Never be afraid to ask questions if you are curious about something or you just simply need help.

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

As a teenager starting off in an industry, such as photography, often times it can be intimidating and overwhelming. When I am feeling this way, I remind myself that there is no pressure. I am doing this because it is my passion not out of obligation.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Mya_rose_photography
• Facebook: Mya Rose Photography
• Other: Website coming soon!