Evan Harris shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Evan , thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
This is a phenomenal question! I never say I’m walking a path, because I don’t believe life is a straight path, or even a winding path. I would say I’m wandering through life. Here’s my thought behind that: I picture life as a big city that you’re unfamiliar with, and you have no map and spotty cell service. This may sound nerve-wracking and chaotic, but if you start to wander through the city, there’s so many things you could come across: a crime scene, a rooftop bar, and amazing restaurant everyone raves about on TikTok… and it actually lives up to the hype. You could trip and fall or even sprain your ankle on an uneven sidewalk, or even pop a tire going too fast over a pothole (if you’re from the Midwest, this is common in the spring). I say this because a like a city, life has good and bad in it, but that doesn’t stop you from wandering to find a great destination. I’m always looking around, enjoying the present, and working to shape my future, professionally, socially, financially, and personally, no matter where the city leads me.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Evan, I’m 28, and I’m from Fort Wayne, Indiana. I am the proud owner and founder of Planet Nave Photography, and I specialize in couple’s, editorial, and wedding/elopement photography. My brand blends moody, cinematic-styled photography with outer space. I love the stars, galaxies – just everything about the cosmos. It’s the unfathomable thought of what all could be in space that makes me love it more.
I recently leaned into collaborating with other content creators and creatives to host photography content days to help build other artists’ portfolios and build connections with other creators in the industry! I have several lined up for 2026, including Los Angeles, Oregon Coast, San Diego, and New York!
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
I think my best friend, Cheyenne, was one of those people who saw me clearly before I realized anything about myself. We’ve been friends for about nine years, and she was my first model when I started photography in 2017. She literally spoke my business into existence back in 2018. She would always tell me that I “needed a creative outlet” and connected me to people to do shoots with. I thought she was crazy when she said she could see me go full-time in photography one day, and years later, that’s what exactly what I’m doing. It still amazes me to this day. We talked about this on the phone recently, and she said “I don’t want to take all the credit, LOL!”
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There are numerous times I almost threw up my hands. A lot of the those times came from imposter syndrome and low confidence that I could actually be a full-time business owner. I used to work a news station, and it drained the creativity and life out of me. Working in corporate really made me HATE photography, when in reality, I actually hated corporate. When I left the news station, I didn’t have a sense of direction and was terrified of what was next. I was looking for other corporate jobs and was met with one rejection after another. That deeply impacted my self esteem. I was stuck between not feeling qualified enough to re-enter corporate life, but also like my photography wasn’t good enough to go full time. I didn’t think people in my area took me seriously as a photographer and business owner. I always felt if I raised pricing, people wouldn’t book me. That alone made me want to quit photography altogether.
Something in me wouldn’t allow that. I realized my willpower was a lot stronger than my negative self-image at the time, I just didn’t realize it yet. I didn’t realize that leaving corporate was the best thing that happened to me. I didn’t realize at the time (2023) that people who booked me believed in me when I didn’t even believe in myself. Today, looking back on a tumultuous 2024, I realize now that was my year of mental and emotional healing and professional growth. I made double this year than what I did last year starting out full-time. I’m forever grateful my internal will never let me quit.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
Protecting my peace is a virtue I hold dear. I’m not a confrontational person, and I love to live in a peaceful bubble. Growing up, I didn’t have much of a peaceful childhood, so I really enjoy my serenity and independence.
Another thing that matters to me is creativity. I’m a creative individual at heart, so I love to be as creative as possible… as much as possible. My mind races all the time about… everything. I just love to observe things and places and often dream of myself being somewhere else, anywhere. When I feel my creativity is lacking or challenged, I feel as if I can’t function properly.
Another value to me is finding humor in life. I love to laugh and joke, and I always say I can’t trust a person that doesn’t laugh. It’s very off-putting to me if someone doesn’t laugh. I always feel a rush of serotonin if I’m laughing to the point of tears. I also enjoy close connections to few people. People that understand me and see me for who I am, while also pushing me to always take the next step and improve myself.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. When do you feel most at peace?
I always feel the most peace when I’m out of my hometown and state. I love to travel, and love to look that map to see countries and cities I haven’t visited yet. When I take a road trip or book a flight, it always brings a smile to my face because my immediate family hasn’t really traveled much, so I wanted to see different places and not have the regret of never seeing them.
Another time I feel at peace is when I do self care, like a massage. I’m BIG on self care, so I always try to treat myself to a spa day, pedicure, or massage and forget the world even exists for an hour or two. It also allows me to recharge and take a break from business-y stuff.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Planetnavephoto.com
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/planetnavephoto
Image Credits
Evan Harris, Planet Nave Photography
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