"Be Yourself and Don't Be Afraid"

Welcome to She's Crafted to Thrive, a show for women in photography and other creative businesses. You will hear conversations about the real everyday struggles of juggling life and business while trying to maintain passion and balance. As women, we have the skill of getting things done, but sometimes we get in our own way. It's here where you'll see that you're not alone. You'll discover that success does not mean perfection. Fear, negative Thoughts and challenges are all part of the journey. On the podcast, you'll find the inspiration and tools you need to have a life and business that thrives. On this episode of She's Crafted to Thrive, our guest is Hannah Martini, a wedding and senior photographer, and I'm so excited to have her on because I featured her on my blog a few months ago, earlier this year, and she has had massive growth since the last time I even talked to her. She was featured in Jasmine Starr's Social Curator, and not only that, we'll talk about how to discover your authentic style and how being true to yourself really can help your business to grow. I am so excited to have Hannah on today. She was featured in Crafted to Thrive's blog post a couple of months ago. I can't believe it seems like it was yesterday, and so many things have happened with her and her business, and I really just wanted to dig really in into her business and kind of her mindset on things. So welcome to She's Crafted to Thrive, Hannah.

I'm so excited. This is amazing.

So I mean, after I think I did our initial interview, I felt so empowered to do my podcast. I think it's the extra thing that lit under my butt to be like, go for it. And it was just, you're such an inspiring person. And then all this new stuff that you've got going on, I'm just like, oh, we've gotta talk about it.

I know, it was super cool, I was super excited when you told me about doing the podcast, and I was like, do it, 'cause I'm a person, I love podcasts. I don't listen to the radio in the car, I listen to podcasts, so I was like, oh, do it, they're just like the new thing and I love 'em. And thank you, I was, I don't know about inspiring, but it was, it was, everything's kinda happening, and then when you did, you reached out to me and said you wanted to do a blog post, I was like, oh, Babe, like this is my thing. Like here we go, I'm on a roll now, let's do this. So it was, it was kinda like, your reaching out to me was kinda like the switch, kinda when everything started to kinda happen. So thank you, that was on you.

Aw, I didn't know that, that's cool. I didn't know that.

Yeah, it was, you were like my transition.

That's awesome. Well, recently you were featured on Jasmine's Social Curator, which is, if anybody doesn't know what that is, it's an amazing, just amazing way to get like real with your life on Instagram and get in contact with yourself, like the real you. And, um, you were featured in there about your progress and your business kind of like just skyrocketing. And I know, you know, we obviously always have like all these trainings that we kind of buy into it sometimes and sometimes we don't see anything, But I really think a lot of it has to do with our mindset and kind of the things we decide to do with what we learn. So kind of tell us a little bit about that. Like how did this all get going?

Oh gosh, okay. So it was in, so the algorithm changed and I used to get like a ton of likes and then all of a sudden it was like down to 40 and I was like, okay, what is going on? So I remember sitting on my couch and I was looking through my Instagram and I was like, what changed? Like I didn't, I didn't even know there was such thing as an algorithm or anything like that. I don't know, I was just posting pictures since whatever. And it was in February and I had no bookings and I was freaking out because I was like, I'm not going to make any money. What am I going to do? And I've always followed Jasmine and I eventually found Social Curator and I was like, oh, I don't know if I can afford it. And I was like, ah, whatever, I'm just going to do it. And like if my numbers change, awesome. And then that's what you were talking about, like when you said mindset. So I did, like it was for about 2 weeks. I just kind of, used what she gave you, like, you know, captions and pictures and stuff like that. So my feed looked really pretty. But when I started to dig into the issue, it was, it was kind of like a transition of it teaches you about yourself and people want to know about yourself. So I started being more vulnerable on Instagram and I think that that's what kind of made clients attract to me because it felt, they felt like they already knew me. So I started talking more about myself and my life and the stuff that I enjoy and it was really relatable to other clients. I'd have I have like clients come up to me and be like, "I saw your picture and oh, you love dogs too." And I'm like, "I love dogs." I'm a dog fanatic. And so like we got to connect on that level, which then made them super comfortable during our session. So it was like I'm photographing friends. So then my bookings in the issue, it was like I went from zero to like 2,500 in a month.

And I did— Which is amazing.

I didn't even notice it until I put it down 'cause I'm a numbers person and Excel and planner and all that fun stuff. So I looked at it and I was like, holy cow. I got a ton of bookings, like how did this happen? And it was right when I started to realize like I'm just doing what she's telling me to do, which is just to be myself, be the real myself, stop doing what everybody else is doing, which that's what I was doing. I was like, oh, these people are getting bookings, I'll just do what they do. But like, I'm not as, I wasn't, I guess I could say I didn't think I was as good as them, but it's them. So like they're them because they're them and I'm me because I'm me. So that's when I finally started to realize this change in mindset of just be me and my people will come around. And then sure enough, it was like I reached out to Social Curator and I was like, hey, I just wanted to let you know, this is what my experience was with it. And she was like, we want to put you in the issue.

And I was like, oh my gosh.

And then I got your email about doing the blog post. And I was like, oh my gosh, all these things are happening. Like it finally worked and it paid off by just being me. Yeah, it was, it was just like, just be yourself, stop comparing yourself. And it kind of pushed me to be more creative. Like it kind of made my creative juices going, 'cause I feel like when you're not getting things done or things aren't happening, you get like in a creative rut.

Yeah.

And I was in one at the beginning of the year, and then finally I was like, I just need to figure something else out. And then, so it just kind of pushed myself.

It was awesome. That is so cool. I think what's interesting though, and I don't know if you know this, but I feel like that's true, but I also feel like, 'cause I talk to photographers, and just creative people in general. And I think what happens is when you start trying— when you stop trying to be like someone else, you are— then you become freer to create what you are inspired by, which is like— we all know this, like it's not like a surprise. I mean, it's a surprise when we actually have that aha moment, but all know that we kind of shoot ourselves in our own foot by Totally. Putting us in this hole of like, oh, everybody else is doing this and everybody's doing that and they seem— here's the thing— they seem to be doing well.

Right.

Just saying that everybody on Instagram with 1,000 million followers are, you know, raking in the dough. I'm just saying. So we kind of get stuck with trying to be whoever that is.

So Absolutely. Well, and it was, and I am, I'm a numbers person. And so I was getting like super discouraged because I used to get like 200. The ironic thing, I used to get 250 likes on my photos. I had no bookings.

None. Yeah.

Changed, got like 100 or so likes. And I have, I'm fully booked all the way up till October. So it's like, who cares what I get on Instagram? As long as I'm getting money, who— like, I'm— but my business is good. So then that was like the same thing like you were talking about, changing mindset. I don't care about the numbers. I care about my clients, my genuine clients, and I take care of them and I focus on them because like that's my clientele, that's my little family right there. So I just— I stopped almost focusing on the number side of the likes. Yeah, and I was like, whatever, like now I'm gonna just focus on my clientele. And it is— it's so funny. I'm like, I had 200 50 likes, but I had no bookings, and now I get like 150 likes and I have like 20 bookings.

Yeah, it is.

It's so funny.

It's crazy. You know, I think it's, I think it's the world of social media. That's kind of just where we've gotten to. I mean, it is addiction. I did a recent recording with Courtney, and she was like talking about like how it's like almost an addiction just to see whether or not you got the likes, and you start that addiction correlates in our brain as business owners. Oh, I have so many people following me and they're gonna book me. Uh-huh.

Yeah. And then you're like, where are you at?

Yeah.

You're not there. So, well, and it's like, oh, somebody followed me from Germany.

I'm like, awesome.

They're never gonna book me.

Yeah, exactly. Yeah.

Like maybe when I'm like super, like if I ever get super famous and I'm a, you know, but till then, probably not. Yeah, so it's kind of like, ah, I stopped focusing on, yeah, being like social media famous, like would love that, but if you have the bookings there, then great, but if I don't, then what's the point, right?

So for you, I know you were saying that it was a mindset change. Obviously you had a little help with that, kind of like thinking about sharing who you are and yourself, but I know something that keeps coming up in conversation is about photographers and their style, like What, you know, it's kind of like this weird thing. I don't think like the outside consumer actually understands this part of photography, that even photographers have different styles. So you have to— not every photographer is for you.

Yeah.

But what photographer, like what helps you to like connect to you, like your style as a photographer?

Oh gosh, this goes back 2 years when I started. So when I moved to Philly to be with my other half, I was like, I'm gonna start my business. And same thing, I was looking at what everybody else was doing, and they were all doing like the super moody, and like, they're beautiful photos. And so I kept like, I liked them, and I tried to kind of recreate them, couldn't, failed miserably, because that's just not who I am. That's not my style. Now that I know that. And then I kept, but I then I'd go back and like, my house is farmhouse-y, and it's light, and it's And I'm like, well then why am I trying to do that? So it took, I mean, I don't know how many presets I bought. I don't know how many YouTube videos. Oh my goodness, it was like horrible. And I'm texting my friends who doing the dark and moody and I'm like, how are you doing this? I want this. And no matter how much I would do it, I just, it wasn't like, I knew it wasn't right 'cause I was like almost forcing it. And I'd like stay up hours. I remember in Philly, I would stay up till like 2 o'clock in the morning, like going back and forth, like am I light and airy? Am I this, am I this? Oh, photos do I want to produce? Um, and then I don't know exactly when it happened, but I remember when I came back here and we moved back in and I started designing our house. Um, and it was so light and I was like, okay, this is me. And I don't like the overly posey stuff. Like, I don't want something stiff.

I'm—

so I was like, okay, I know I'm a lifestyle photographer. I like the light stuff. And then it was figuring out, because there's so many things to style was like, how do I wanna pose people? And I recently just started doing it. Like when you're learning, you need to learn how to focus and all this other stuff. I was too afraid to like get my clients to move 'cause I didn't want it to be out of focus or anything like that. But I am like so drawn to emotion and authentic moments that I was like, I can't have them just stand there and look authentic. Like, 'cause that's not real.

Right.

And so I started kind of researching like, what are people doing? And I really love getting people to like do stuff. So now that's kind of transitioned into my style. I just did a family session the other day and I had them sit on the dock and I told them, let's play a game. Let's, I'm gonna sit you all down and whoever can name a fruit that starts with B as fast as they can, we're gonna go down the line and if you can't, you're out. And the dad, they're all naming something and the dad's like, "Beer." And it just, everybody started bursting out laughing. It is the most precious photo ever 'cause everybody's laughing and I'm like, "Ah, that's what I want." That's what I need. So, and it's the same thing with romance. I love romance. I'm such a love sap.

I know, you said you're in love with love.

I do, I just love it. I love romantic movies, romantic comedy. Oh, just put me in, I love it. Just eat it up. And so I'm like, I wanna do pictures like that. That's what I want, but how am I gonna do that? And so it's finally like, you know, telling my couples like, tell me the first time you really fell in love with each other. And to watch it is just, ugh, like it makes me melt. I have to like remember to put my camera up 'cause I'm like, I just wanna watch. I wanna watch your experience and all that stuff. So finding my style was like the hardest thing to ever do. And I feel like I'm, I know my style and I'm still trying to perfect it.

Yeah.

It's the hardest thing. I mean, I feel like all photographers, beginning photographers start off with it. But so I guess I would tell them like, I wish somebody would have told me like, don't look at anybody else. Just try, like look at other things. Like what does your house look like? Yeah. Like that was a huge, and I have no idea, I don't know who told me that. I think it was like probably like Jenna Kutcher or something like that. She was like, I like look at your Pinterest boards. And I'm like, none of my Pinterest boards are dark and moody. So obviously that's not my style. I should probably change that. So I threw that out the window, but it did, it took 2 years to finally figure it out. And now I finally figured it out, but now I got to perfect it.

So. Yeah, that's awesome. I think that's so true. I think even in business in general, we kind of, I feel like that even for myself, like I feel like I'm, we get so stuck in like looking at what everybody else is doing. And then if you actually look back at like, you, like, I'm not that person, like, nothing like that. I'm not, you know, you're— that's their art, right? Like, you have your own, like, you have your own style, you have your own way, right?

Exactly. And I— it was, it was just like figuring out, well, like, okay, well, those people are successful, so I need to do what they're doing, but they're only successful at that because that's who they are. So it was like learning, like, oh, well, I can be successful doing what I'm doing because it's me. Right. So, and that I just, it didn't click until recently. It was like, all right, I gotta stop doing what everybody else is doing and like try to just focus on myself.

Yeah. Do you watch, okay, this is completely like not, do you watch American, what is that show called? America's Got Talent?

I, well, when I had cable, yes.

Well, I don't have cable. I watch it on Hulu. It's like the—

Oh, there you go. I have Amazon Prime. That's like our—

There you go. I can see. We've been watching, my husband and I, it's like the summer, like, because, you know, no really good shows outside of those kind of shows are on. But Simon, who I have a love-hate relationship with, they get a lot of singers on there, and he has literally have been stopping people in the middle of their audition and being like, why are you singing that song? Like, why are you singing it? I don't even feel like you're attached to it. I don't even know what that means to you. Like, don't sing it. And he's like, do you have another song? And they're like, uh, yeah, I have an original. And they look petrified. And then he's like, well, sing that. And it's like, you know, wow.

But you feel it.

Yeah. And then when they sing it, me and my husband Maurice were like, oh my gosh, why didn't they start off with that in the first place?

I think people are so afraid to be who they are because they're so afraid that someone's not gonna like them.

Yeah, yeah.

I think like with anything like that, it reminds me of like, I saw something today. She's like a kind of a friend. Anyways, it was like, you know, the new Instagram thing, like the questions, ask me anything. So like we did it and everything like that. And then somebody was like, well, she had posted about it today. And she was like, I love this new feature. She was like, but I love how some people like never got questions answered. And I'm like, I guarantee you most of those people were like, I'm so afraid to do this. What if nobody asks me?

Who cares? Yeah, yeah.

He asked you questions. Like, I was a little nervous. I was like, oh, this is gonna be like, no one's gonna ask me questions. I got him like, I got like, what, 3, 4, 5 maybe? I don't know. And they were not like awesome questions. I think Steven wrote on there like, why are you so sexy? I'm like, okay, like, no, no, no.

Like, let's—

I'm trying to be professional here. And yeah, no, it was not. But it was I did, it made me laugh and I was like, I bet so many people didn't do that 'cause they were afraid that no one's gonna reach out to them. But who cares?

Yeah, exactly, exactly.

Just be you.

Exactly, so you're getting into wedding photography. I know when we talked, you were talking about being a second shooter, right? And now you're doing your own?

I am, so I just did my first wedding and it was awesome, it was, Super hard though, because it was 60-mile-an-hour winds.

Woo!

The town alarm went off. Like siren went off, the town shut down. I'm like, how am I gonna do this?

Oh my God.

So I was super nervous, but I'm like, I don't care. Like we're doing these photos outside. It's pretty light. It's up in Virginia City, which is like one of the oldest towns here.

It's super cool.

So we did it and the pictures are awesome because The wind is kicking up the girl's dress and the hair's going crazy. And I was like, this is perfect. 'Cause this is just who they were anyways. So that was super cool. I just sent off her gallery. And then I have, I'm still second shooting two weddings, but then I just booked another wedding, me being the lead photographer. And then I have another one as well. So I'm so excited. This has been, it was, it was like when I talked to you, it was like, Interview with you, social curator, and then weddings. You just like pushed me into success apparently.

I did not, that was all you, honey. It's called momentum, it happens.

Oh my gosh, it was. So yeah, getting into that, I'm so excited. So nervous, but so excited.

Oh, oh, I love weddings and I love sharing I love shooting them, but then I don't love shooting them. Like, we've done them in the past.

Yeah.

Oh my God. For me, it was just— and partly it's because we did big weddings. And I think if I ever did go back and we go back to the photography business, I probably would only—

Like elopements?

Yeah. Like if there are elopements or if there's like 50 guests or less, because oh my gosh, it is so stressful. Yeah.

Well, there's like different things, like I do, like getting brides to understand timelines. Like when you've never done, like I never did a wedding and I was like, and you know, the bride was like, I said, okay, we got it, because I'm an organized person. I was like, we need to get a timeline. I'm like, I don't even know how to, where do I start?

Right?

She like looked at me and I was like, okay, what time is ceremony time? And then so we kind of start and then so I started figuring it out a little bit. But that first couple, I was like, I didn't even know how to write a timeline down. And then managing the timeline, ugh, was like, because weddings run behind.

Yeah, I mean, the thing with weddings is you almost are, even if they have a wedding planner, you are the other wedding planner. Like, you literally are. Like, you have to know when the exact moments are happening, where they're going to be, who's going to be there, all these things. And if you have your shot, like, if you're ready to get shots, you don't know what's happening. Yeah, you messed up.

So, and like, it does, it gives me anxiety sometimes. I'm like, oh my gosh, I don't want to miss the shot, this shot, or whatever, you know, because I'm doing something else. And, um, so now I'm like, I can't do— I can, but I don't like to because I like to have, um— so Stephen comes along with me, he's my second shooter, thank goodness, um, because I'm like the type of person that I'm like, if I'm like in my mind going crazy, but you have to keep like a really pretty, you know, everything's fine, everything's dandy. But like say I need something and I'm like, oh my gosh, I don't have time to go and do this. I can look at him and I know that like I can rely on him and he's good. Then stress, then everything kind of calms down and then the day goes so much smoother, I feel.

Yeah.

Yeah, it's just 'cause you don't wanna stress out the bride or anything like that, but like you said, time runs, run behind or something happens. And it's, and then you have the shot list and the family portraits, I feel.

They are the hardest.

So hard.

Especially if they don't wanna be there. Like if they don't, if you're just trying to get everybody in the area.

Yes.

It is a hot, it's a hot fun of a mess.

Oh, for sure. And it is, and it's always like, I'm like, men, men, give me 10 minutes. 10 minutes and then you can go. Yeah, give me 10 solid minutes, I will get you out of here. Yeah, you know, women are like, oh, I love photos. So they're never— it's like always just like some of the, like, you know, what, grandpa, just like, I don't want to be here. I'm like, I know, I'm so sorry, but give me 5 seconds and then you can go and party.

Yeah, yeah, exactly.

I love it though.

Yeah, I think it's nice that you're able— one, that you know yourself and you know what you're willing to do within your business, like so that you can still enjoy what you do. I think what other, the other thing that happens, I think in most businesses is that at some point something, either we change our brain and we're like, oh, I should be doing more or something like you're, you're doing you, but then you want to be doing more because you feel like you should be doing more for a client or something. And then you become overly stressed and overwhelmed and it's like a hot mess and then you're feeling like confused and lost and then you get, what is it? We were just talking about this, photo burnout where you're just like, I hate photography. It's not photography that you're hating. It's like the whole everything else that you end up hating.

Yeah.

Now you're even more busy. You're going to be doing so much more. How are you going to balance that?

So I recently learned, so it's been, I've had two lessons, two hard lessons. Um, in 2 years, which is, which is good. Well, it's almost been 3 now, but it's been really good lessons. So when we moved back from Philly, I was super busy that summer and I was so thrilled to be busy, but it was every single weekend. I had like 2 or 3 shoots every single weekend and I wasn't going to say no because I was so happy to have clients and I wanted to, like, you know, I just had this thirst for it. So I did it and I started to notice because Stephen would be like, hey, let's go camping, let's do this. I'm like, I can't, I have a session. I can't, I have work. Let's go to the movies. I can't, I have work, I have to edit. And I started to see that it started to, like, he's always been super supportive so he'd never say anything, but I could tell, I was like, okay, our relationship's changing because I'm so busy and we're not able to do the things that we wanted to do, which in the beginning when I wasn't doing photography, We would hike, travel, we would do anything under the sun, and I wasn't able to do that. So I told him this year, like when we came back, I was like, "Okay, we need to like go through and plan a couple of vacations, and I'm taking those weekends off, and I will not change it." Like I don't care if it's a wedding, 'cause I need our relationship to be good. I need life to be balanced, and So I did that. And then I also started, because now I know how to manage my time better, I can do 2 or 3 shoots in one day and then have one weekend that's completely free. Right. So it was going through that one period of where like it wasn't fun. I was almost getting burnt out because I'd be like, I have a session. I'm like, I don't want to have a session. I want to hang out with my honey. And I'm like, oh, this is bad. Like I'm already getting there and it's only the first year.

This is a problem. Yeah.

So it was, so now I'm like, okay, let's manage that time, let's plan it out. And you do, you get, so I haven't been burnt out. And then my second lesson was I've never had anything go wrong until about 3 weeks ago. I had 2 weeks of just pure, just, it was bad.

Oh no, what happened?

Tears every day, wanted to quit, oh man, it was just all bad luck could have happened in 2 weeks. And there everybody's like, "It happens in things of 3." And I'm like, "Yeah, I hit 3 like a week ago." I'm like, need this, I need it to come. I felt like I was in quicksand.

Oh no.

Just fighting and fighting and fighting. But I think it was like a good lesson for me to learn. And if I could teach any other business, like starting photographer, don't let people take advantage of you. 'Cause it'll happen. And when you're new, you're like, "I just wanna do anything I can for you." But when, but you'll notice people will do it. They'll take advantage of you. So I did, I hit that point a couple weeks ago. I was like, I wanna quit, I'm done. Like, I just don't wanna do this anymore. People are taking advantage of me. I was in tears. Stephen's looking at me like, who died? Like, I thought a family member died. And I'm like, I just, it was, it was yikes. That's what it was. It was a yikes of 2 weeks. But so I had to learn to like say no. And it's okay to say no.

Yeah.

What happened?

You know, I'm gonna ask you this.

What happened? Okay, so I'm a planner. I got 3 planners. Well, I was supposed to help somebody up in Tahoe. I was taking pictures of her home, beautiful home, and I wrote down the wrong day. And I wrote down the wrong day, and oh man, it was just, it was bad. So I had to like scramble, get time off work of my other job. Because I was like, I need to go up and do this. So I did that. And I just, I felt so bad because I've never made a mistake in my business at all. That was my first like oopsie. And which make just makes you feel terrible.

Yeah.

And then I was so bad. And then I did. What else happened? Oh, and then I did a family session. My, I had just bought a new SD card. Didn't work. I got 20 photos. We drove up to Tahoe. They had extended family there. My card wasn't working. So I'm like, okay, I'll just use my backups. My backups like walked out of my bag. I have no idea where they went. They're still gone. I don't know. So I, oh my gosh, I was in sh— I was like, I can only get 20 photos. And I had to switch over from RAW to JPEG because I could have only gotten 4 pictures with RAW. Oh my gosh, so I was like, I will refund your money, we will reshoot, all this stuff. Thankfully, like, she was so sweet and she loved the photos that I delivered to her. And Stephen's like, they're your best photos you've ever taken. I'm like, no, because I look at them and see failure. Yeah, because I just like, it was just bad.

No, I've totally been there when I've like, in those moments I just had to learn that I think we are the ones who are way more freaked out by it because we're like, oh my gosh, this is my business and everything is going to run and they're never going to. And it's like we go through like this whole like complete meltdown in our brain and scenarios, which, you know, that's kind of part of being your own business person, having your own business. You're going to have like that weird, those times where things don't work. Because I mean technology doesn't work half the time, so we're people.

Yeah, exactly, and that was the big thing I remember like calling my mom and I'm just in tears and she was like, she goes, "This is your first mistake in 2 years." She's like, "Guess what? I'm gonna tell you, you're gonna have a million more." And I'm like, "I hope not," because I felt lower than dirt. Yeah, like it was so bad and I do, I think you're right, if it was on my end, 'cause it was, you know, my mistakes are my business and my bad luck. I was like, no one's ever gonna book me again, this is gonna ruin everything. Whereas on their end, they had like no idea. She was like, I love the photos. And then the other girl was like, oh, you know, it's okay, it happens. Like, it's not a big deal. But on my side, I was like lower than dirt. 'Cause it didn't ever happen for me, but now it was like, and then, you know, being taken advantage of, I had a couple of those too. And so it was learning to say no, like, This is actually how I run things, and if that doesn't work for you, that's okay, but then we just won't be business partners.

Right.

But it was— that's hard to know, and I feel like you don't know it until you go through it.

Yeah, I think that's true, but I also think that— and that's another reason why I love— why I really wanted to do this podcast, because I don't think— I think we all will at some point not even realize that that's about to happen or that's happening in our business where we have to learn to say no or not be taken advantage of. I think when we hear stories of other people in business, specifically women, because we have an issue with not like with saying no, we're like, we like to please people regardless.

Oh, totally.

Half the time.

Yes.

So I think that like being able to hear like, no, it's okay to tell people no, it's okay to say no, my price is this.

Yes, exactly.

To say like, look, it was an accident. This happened. I can do whatever I can do on my side. Hey, life happens. Come on now. Like, yeah, for sure.

Absolutely. And like, I do, I've never heard, like, you see all these successful photographers and I'm like, tell me your nitty gritty stories because I want to be like, I too, like, I'm like, oh, okay, she had it too.

Yeah.

Like, it's okay. Like, I'm okay. Business is not like, my business is still going great.

Right.

So it's okay that I had 2 weeks of an oopsie and I made some mistakes. But guess what? I'm still like, I'm still okay. I wish, because if I would have heard somebody like tell that, I'd be like, okay, like it's gonna be okay. Whereas I thought life was gonna end.

Oh gosh, it was so bad.

That's just how I am. I'm melodramatic, I guess.

I hope you are feeling more— I know you are. I mean, like, you have to be like so much more confident in like who you are, what you're doing, even more so now with where your business is going and how you've kind of just owned who you are as a person, as an artist, to kind of just, you know, take me as I am and if you don't like me, okay, go to somebody else, you know?

Oh yeah, absolutely, absolutely. Especially here because there's, um, we had talked about this before, um, Reno is a huge creative company and we have like an It like the photography industry is crazy. Like there's so many, and there's so many people that are like, you need to have a degree, you need to do this, you need to have like lights and you need this. And if you don't know how to do it, then you're not this. And it was more of like, and in the beginning when I was, I'm like, oh my gosh, like I feel like a fraud because I don't know some of this stuff.

Right.

But I don't like that style. So what's the, like, no, I don't need to learn some of that stuff. Like I have my off-camera flash and I know how to use it and stuff like that. Do I love this? Pictures? No, but most of the time they're reception pictures and people are dancing, so it's not that big of a deal. But like, I love the natural light and all that stuff, but it finally, like, because I do— I've heard other people talk and all their opinions on other stuff, which is fine. And so I've gotten to that point where I'm like, yeah, okay, well, you can be over there and I'll be over here, right? Because— and that, and that's okay. And I've learned to be okay with it, but it did, it was like finally figuring out like I'm confident in myself and in my business like that. I'm like, okay, yeah, you go over there and I'm gonna build my own table over here.

Yeah, because I don't want to be part of that over there. Right. Do you feel like you have a tug of war anymore with that? Like, do you sometimes have moments where you're like, but I should because you know they, or you know, do you kind of have those moments still?

You, um, so there's like times where, um, I've, um, almost like feel it out, I guess. So we have, it's called Tuesdays Together here, and it's an amazing group. Like, it's a great industry, and it's all creatives. Like, it's not just photographers, it's like cake makers and a bunch of wedding stuff. Um, to get into the wedding industry, you have to know people in the wedding Mm-hmm. So it's almost like going and feeling stuff out, like, okay, I've heard these things about, you know, these people and what they believe, but it's like, well, I'm not gonna judge until I go and meet, right? Well, I've judged me and they've been completely wrong. So it's almost like going and feeling out the industry and feeling out those people that are like, like me, and almost, um, just, I get more chill. I don't know how to, a better way to say it, I guess. But because there are those people out there, and I've met a ton of them. One, my lead photographer that I'm shooting for, she is that way. Sam is amazing, and she's chill and relaxed, and she kind of has the same thoughts and processes that I do. So we work really well together, and she's a well-known photographer in the wedding industry. So it's a good connection to have, but it It's almost trying to like, yeah, you do have those tendencies, but it's like, no, no, no, stay true to who you are because as soon as you go for that, you're going to get hit and it's going to hurt.

Yeah. And it has.

Like, I've tried to almost do that and then it's like, mm, I'm just, I'm not getting a good feeling. I need to pull back because then they'll, like you do, they say stuff and you're like, oh, that hurt. But I'm like, well, why am I talking to you anyway?

Right.

Yeah. So it is just trying to stay true to who you are, which is so hard.

It is so hard, right? It's so hard. And that's kind of another reason why this podcast is called She's Crafted. I feel like we all have to own our own self. Like we have to own how we make our life, how we make our business. Like we have to put the pieces together that help our life, like our balance and things like that are all different. My balance is not going to be your balance.

Right.

Life of what I want success to mean. It's not your success. Like, it's just not going to be that way. So for us to always be looking at each other to compare and be like, why can't I be like that person? It's crazy. It is.

And I don't know what, like, I don't know what programmed us to do that. I have no idea.

I think it's called the commercial world. Yes.

I did. Yeah. I mean, that is, and that's like a big push of my business. You know, we did, I did my self-love project and stuff like that. And but I do, I don't know, I was talking about it, I had posted something about, it was like talking about the girls in magazines and I'm like, yeah, you're not gonna look like them, they don't even look like that.

Mm-hmm.

They're photoshopped, they're, you know, all that stuff. And I was like, but you're amazing because it's you. And then I had a girl comment on it, she was like, thank you so much. And I was like, I just don't know what triggered us to think that way.

Yeah.

Like what made us think that? Like that we need to be like that person and we need to be like this person. You can have inspirations, but you're still you.

Yeah, exactly. Yeah. And our circumstances in life are also different. So we can—

So different. Yeah.

But what we can do is learn from each other. We can learn like from our experiences. We can kind of like connect being like, oh, that emotion or that feeling is not like, oh, I'm alone in feeling this way. I'm like, I'm alone feeling like, oh my gosh, I fail miserably when you fail. Right, yeah, exactly.

And like everybody fails and it was an oopsie, but you, and nobody talks about that ever. Like, oh no, I was just big and amazing the whole time. And I'm like, oh, I wish you would have told me your struggles. And then, and that was kind of the big thing with Social Curator and Jasmine. It was like, and even like Jenna Kutcher is a big one too. And then there's another girl, Lindsay, I don't know what her last name is. I don't want to butcher it. She's amazing. She's another Hawaiian, Hawaii photographer, and I absolutely adore her because she talks about struggles and like how she went through her business and how it took her for a long time and the little things that you learn, and nobody talks about that. Yeah, like Instagram versus reality, and I'm like, I love the realness. I think that's amazing. So that's why it's like, it's not always fun to be real, But people are like, "Oh, I feel you," and I'm like, "Yay, I'm not alone. This is so great." That's why I love like podcasts. Like, that's why I was like a really big push for you. I think it's amazing because people need to hear about this stuff because nobody talks about it.

No. And I don't know why. Yeah. Because it is what it is. I know, exactly. I don't know how— I mean, Even the most successful people that we know, at some point they do like their memoir book or something or whatever, and then you— it's like after they become big, big, then you hear about all the struggles they went through. And it's like, well, what if— why not share that while you're going through that journey? Like, to me, it's so much more practical for someone to think like, okay, it didn't just happen overnight. You have to like, you know, cry and claw your way and you know, you had successes and you had failures, but now you're here. And even at that top level, wherever that is for you, you're still gonna fail. You're gonna have mistakes. You're still gonna be a person.

Right, exactly.

Yes. Why not talk about that?

Yeah, yeah, absolutely. I do. And I love those and I'm like, like attracted to those people who still do talk about it. Like, oh, I had I'm like, I still struggle and I still do this. Yes, I make a ton of money, but guess what? I still struggle. And I'm like, oh, okay, if you can still do this, like, I can still do this. Like, I'm going to be okay.

Right.

And in anything, like in life, like you're still going to have struggles. And I love people who are so real. I think that's so authentic and I love it and I crave that. I think a ton of people do.

I think that's what's happening right now in the whole world of marketing. People want real. Like we're tired of seeing fake. We're tired of seeing these motifs of something that's just ridiculous, that doesn't even match who we are as people today. I think in general, I think that's starting, like that mold is kind of starting to change a little bit. People just want to be more connected, more authentic. Because the fake or the copycatters, it just doesn't work. It doesn't work anymore.

Right. Yeah, exactly. Like it works for so long and then people are like, alright, like But there's like a million of you, so whatever, okay. You do, and it's so hard and it's so scary to be authentic. I remember when I was doing the 30-day challenge, Stephen had to be my photographer 'cause I can't, like tripods, it just drives me nuts. And I remember he took a picture and it was like a good angle, but I just didn't like the way I looked and I was like, oh, I can drag that into Photoshop and liquify it. No, because then I'm like everybody else, right? I posted it and I was like, oh, this is terrible. I hate the way I look, but I'm like, I don't care, whatever.

I love your pictures.

Oh, but it's so like, especially when it's you, like you look at somebody else and but you love their personality, but when it's you and I don't know, like not everybody loves everything about themselves. Yeah, but it was, it was like, oh, I'll just put it into Photoshop and liquify my face a little bit. It was like. And I did, and then I was like, no, like, I'm not, because then what do I stand for? I tell all of my seniors to like that I don't do retouches, and I don't, I don't do retouches. I don't make you skinnier because you're beautiful the way you are, but then I go and do it? Like, that's not— yeah, so it's like, nope, don't do it, as painful as it is. I'm just gonna be real, whatever.

Well, I just love how authentic and real and it just I think what I'm learning from a lot of the women I'm talking to is that that piece is so essential to like your business. Like you can't, you can't be someone else and really, really succeed. Like you can't, like you just, it's really difficult at the same time of being that real person, but it's a part of you. And I feel like people like you who are open enough to share that and just be like, yeah, man, what's going on? I was gonna change this, but then I thought, how can I do this and then expect this? Like, you know, just, it just connects, you know?

Yeah, well, and it's like, and like, that's hard for me to say, like, I want, you know, wanted to bring it into Photoshop and I was about to, but I didn't, because it's like, I too still have those thoughts. Absolutely. I thought I'm not enough, or I'm not pretty enough, or I don't like the way that looks. Hey babe, can you take another photo? But it's like, it doesn't change because that's just what I got there. Yeah, it is. It's so hard, but it's almost harder to be fake. Yeah, then you get burnt out.

Then, then, or you don't do anything. Yeah, I think that's the other thing. Either you are fake or you just get so stunted and afraid of what everyone's gonna do or what everybody's gonna say, just don't take action, which is worse in my opinion. Yeah, it is.

It's so— and I think we're so nervous about, like, like you said, what other people think and about being like a hypocrite or something like that. And so that's why we don't want to be real or say like, yeah, I don't know everything about this. I don't know everything about this industry, but like, that's what it is. That's, it's real.

Who does? Who does though? Like in photography and any industry, like in any, like even as doctors, people who go to school for years, lawyers, things change. Like it's impossible to be all knowing of all things. Matter of fact, there's a saying that says, "A master of all is a master of none." Like, you can't do it all. You can't know it all.

Yeah, and it's okay to ask for help.

Exactly. Yeah, exactly. Well, thank you for being on today. I am so happy and excited for you and your business. I just can't wait to see more of your wedding pictures and your wedding. Like, I feel like you're probably going to end up just doing that. As much as you love senior photography, I know you love it, but I, as much as I just talked to you for the last, like, over the last couple months, I just feel like that's the road you're gonna end up just— I just love—

I do, I love couples. I am, I'm such a sap. I do, I just, I feel for it. I feel like I'm a bridesmaid with a camera. Run around, like, oh, I gotta slough this, so hold on, let me give you a little zhuzh there, and yeah, okay, okay, now you you can have your little moment and I do, I just, I do, I love couples, I just love them and the weddings and oh, I do, I'm such a sap, it's okay.

It's okay, sappy is good.

I do, I love it, I just crave romance, which stinks for my boyfriend, he gotta like step it up, man.

I love romance too and my husband and I, we always talk about that, we're always like, I'm like, yeah, You remember when we were dating and you used to do certain things? And I'm like, where is that guy? No, I'm just kidding. But he does a lot of those things now, but it's just not as frequent. And it's like, I think it's kind of the world again we live in where we just think everything should be like that all the time. In real life, it's not like that. Real life is not like that at all.

But no, it's not. Like, we were just talking about it. It was like the love languages. Like, in the beginning, like, if you held my hand, that meant so much to me. And now I'm like, well, can you like do the dishes? And he's like, well, that never mattered before. I'm like, oh, well, but we've been dating for like 4 years now, so it kind of matters. So like that means a big deal. And it's like, oh, all right, I didn't know that changed. And I'm like, sorry, like, yeah, I know you, but that's what that means now. It is. It's so funny how things change. I love it. But it's like, fine, it's like for the better.

Yeah. Oh yeah.

So like, you know, the fairy tale. Forever.

Yeah, we grow. Like, I can't believe how much I love my man. It's been 10 years. We'll be married 10 years in September.

What's the secret?

Ha! Oh, well, one is that we're really good friends. Like, we're best friends. I think that's what we were before we even started dating. So that really made a big difference.

Yeah, same here.

And we communicate and we're very open with each other about things. We talk about a lot of stuff. And like, especially because I deal with a lot of health stuff, so it's like even more important that we communicate what's going on and how we feel about things. And then I think the biggest thing is that we both try to do things the way that God asked us to do them. Like, we try to live in that way. So I think those three things, being good— like, not good friends, best friends, like, straight up. Yeah. Oh, I feel—

yeah, we were best friends for a whole year. Before anything happens.

So, yeah, exactly. And then being able to communicate and God, I mean, that's honestly what I believe works. Awesome. Yeah, that's awesome.

I can't wait to share. Babe, we got to do these 3 things.

Yeah, I love this for a long time.

So let's do it.

Yeah, 10 years. I can't believe it. We've been married 10 years, but we've been together, like, we dated for like 2 years before that and we were friends like a year before. So I feel like we've known each other for more than half of our life. Yeah, which is crazy. But, you know, awesome.

Time flies though when you're having fun.

It does, it does, it definitely does. So tell us where we can find you. I know where we can find you on Instagram, but tell us anyway.

Okay, so you can find me. So it's Hannah Martini and then like an underscore, like a dash.

I don't—

that was the only thing that was available. And then in the link in my bio is my website, or it's just hannahmartinifotography.com. It's super simple, but everybody always forgets the I, so it's not Hannah Martin, Martini, like the drink.

Like the drink, that's the, like, that's the fun part. Right, yeah, how can you forget that?

I on the end like an olive, can't forget it.

Yeah, exactly. Well, thanks so much for coming on and sharing, and we can't wait to see more of you.

Thank you so much for having me. I'm so excited. I can't wait. And I can't wait to listen to all these other creatives. I'm so excited.

I am too. I'm excited and petrified.

You will do great. This will be awesome.

Well, thank you.

It is. And you're so easy to talk to. It's so— it'll be so good.

Oh, thank you. Yeah, you know what I haven't done? I know I just kind of was supposed to clear this up, but I haven't been listening to podcasts recently on purpose because I didn't want to be influenced by how people are doing their podcasts and I didn't want to come off like, you know, like them. Right, no, yeah. So judge me, judge me softly.

Seriously, no, no, no, it's so, so good. Well, because it's you, like we just said, it's all about you. No one can do this like you because they're not you.

Right.

So, you know, I'm so excited. I can't wait to like watch this just blossom.

All right, ladies, thank you for listening. And I hope this conversation inspired you. Be sure to subscribe and tell a friend. That's it on this episode. And yes, you are crafted to thrive.