I was extremely intrigued when I learned that fellow Business Casual Mastermind member, Hannah Dougan, introduced herself as a personal branding photographer.
Marketing is both my profession and love – especially telling the story of a company or product. To find someone that captures it in photographs that will aid in growing the business owner’s livelihood is so – it’s so COOL! (Sorry if I’m geeking out a bit about this, but it’s such a cool career!)
Meet Hannah Dougan!
I’m excited to introduce you to Hannah (BTW, if I had a girl her name was going to be Hannah) – the fantastic photographer behind Life Stamp Photography.
When you were little what did you want to be when you grew up?
What I wanted to be changed all the time. However, the focus was always centered around helping and leading individuals to a better quality of life.
How did you come up with the idea for your business?
My photography business started 10 years ago. Personal branding and brand strategy became my main focus the beginning of 2019. The natural evolution in my business occurred because I found myself guiding many of my brand clients on how to strategically use their images to increase the value of their visual content and presence. By offering strategy calls before and after their photography sessions, I was able to provide my clients more value.
What is the biggest struggle you’ve encountered as an entrepreneur and how did you solve it?
The biggest struggle I encountered was moving from the midwest to south Florida at the prime of my photography business. The market in the midwest is drastically different from South Florida and what worked there, was not working in my new home. I had to adapt my approach in marketing.
I shifted my focus from family photography to brand photography due to the high number of business owners. I began the marathon in building relationships with business owners and building the brand service of my business. I fell in love and find so much joy in assisting my clients in creating visual content to grow their business and brand.
What do you think are the pros and cons of being a womanpreneur?
I think the biggest pro for me is the potential to create something bigger than myself. The biggest con for me is the amount of uncertainty.
Do you have any mentors or coaches that you work with?
I currently have two virtual mentors. Jasmine Star & Brittany Krystle. I constantly consume their podcasts, social media content and currently pay for their memberships.
What advice would you give to someone reading this that has the entrepreneurial “itch”?
You will get out of your business what you put into your business. Stay consistent, dedicated and keep your head up. You aren’t alone.
What is the secret to achieving work-life balance for you?
This might not be the answer people want to hear, but I believe work-life balance is a myth. I believe you have to find a rhythm between fully engaging and fully retreating.
Working hard to play/rest hard is a real thing. After working with many of my clients and implementing this into my own life, I believe it is more about finding the rhythm that fits your current season of life.
How do you find inspiration?
Finding inspiration for me comes from being intentional and keeping my overall motive as my focus. If I am struggling to keep my mindset focused on my motive, I will participate in some physiological mood boosters. This helps my mindset realign and remind myself of my motive and my ‘why.’
What is your favorite book?
Leadership and Self-Deception
And your favorite quote?
“My true self contains every possibility.” Deepak Chopra
What do you do to decompress?
I decompress by exercising a minimum of 30 minutes a day.
Tea or coffee?
Black cuban coffee all day long.
Favorite flower?
Southern Magnolia or Gardenia
How to Connect with Hannah!
If you are a business owner and are looking for the ideal photographer to capture your brand, you can connect with Hannah via Instagram, Facebook, her website, and LinkedIn!
Hannah is kind enough to offer a great promotion for you!
Please be sure to read about the other amazing womanpreneurs I’ve had the honor of interviewing!
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