Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Heather Ison. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Heather, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
The thing about imposter syndrome I have come to learn is that it will probably always be there, so it’s not about overcoming it – but instead learning to not let it control me. For example, if I have a new opportunity that I am nervous/excited about, typically that imposter syndrome shows up – for me in that moment it’s about recognizing it, acknowledging it and moving forward anyway, despite the lies it presents in my head. I show up in confidence knowing that this opportunity has been given to me for a reason and I am meant to be here, so the intrusive thoughts are not truth and therefore should not be given any life. The more I do this, the more I prove to myself that I am NOT the lies imposter syndrome tries to tell me I am – like anything its a practice, but that is what works for me!
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Hi there! My name is Heather Ison, I am a photographer and interior design enthusiast based in Charlotte, North Carolina. In 2020, I transitioned from portrait/event photography and dove into the world of interiors. Since then, I have been able to pair my love for interiors and photography together, creating stunning imagery and capturing the beauty of spaces.
One thing that sets me apart is my strong attention to detail. I am meticulous and always strive for perfection in every project I take on. I’m a self-taught photographer who values hands-on learning, mentorship, online and in-person workshops and am always seeking opportunities to improve my work.
As I continue to grow in my craft, I also help my clients get published, pitching their projects to top regional and national publications. The fulfillment I get from my clients seeing their work online and in print is everything to me. It brings me so much joy to see their hard work pay off!
My work has graced the pages of Domino, RUE, Homes & Gardens, Home Design & Decor, Surface & Axios to name a few. It’s a total dream come true and I absolutely love what I do!
Looking back, what do you think were the three 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?
The three most impactful areas of my journey have been an internship, a mentorship and in person workshops. The main thing all of these areas have in common and why I believe they were so impactful on me and my career path was the courage it took to say “yes” to them. I had to say yes to applying for and following through with an interview process to an internship at the age of 31, I got the internship and it was a crucial moment in projecting me into the world of interior design photography. I had to say yes to investing in and showing up to a zoom room full of women I had never met before to talk about our insecurities, struggles, limiting beliefs, biggest fears and dreams for months and it completely changed who I am as a person. That internship and mastermind put me on a trajectory I couldn’t have even dreamed up for myself until I was living it. And because of those events I knew the importance of in-person workshops to promote my own personal growth and sense of community in my career.
The best early on advice I will always give is to start messy and be resourceful. Start messy, meaning do not wait for something to be perfect before launching it, do wait to tell people what you are doing because you are “new” at it. The only way to get better at something is to practice BEing it, do it messy, make mistakes and grow because of it. Be resourceful, google it, YouTube it, research the heck out of your questions, get your hands on things you need to learn and then take all of that and go out into your community and ask if you can help people by giving your services as a practice – depends on what you do and offer how this will work but it always will.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
My friend and mentor Kelly Brock, she was the leader of a mastermind and mentorship I was a part of for almost a year and she quite literally changed the way I live my life. She taught me how to find and love myself again. She showed me what it looks like to become the highest version of myself, how to look for and find miracles in my everyday life, how to understand my thoughts in a new way, to go after the things that light me up and how to dream BIG.
“If you were whole and complete, lacking in nothing, who would you be, what would you create, what would you do?” – Kelly Brock
She expanded my mind and gave me the confidence and tools I needed to wake up to my life and take a look at the person I was showing up as everyday. Even though this is all personal development, I believe it bleeds into everything I do professionally in my career – it’s very important to me that I am intentionally living on purpose, in my purpose. I encourage others to find someone in their life who helps them do just that.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.heatherison.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heather_ison/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-ison-29962236/
Image Credits
Heather Ison Photography
