Tell us about you, who you are, hobbies, fav things. Can be random and silly!
Hi! I’m Heather Stockett of HCS photography. I’m married to my college sweetheart, Adam, and we have 3 boys: Jackson, Anderson and Benson. I love Mr. Goodbars straight out of the fridge, watching reruns of The Office, and dancing with our boys in our record room.
How did you first start out?
I really got into photography after my husband and I had our first son, Jackson. I would take hundreds of photos of him throughout the day and send them to family back home (we lived in Texas at the time and family lived in MS). I always noticed something was missing from the photos…the light wasn’t right, there was no depth, or the color was off. I wanted more out of my photos! So, I upgraded to a “big girl” camera, joined Clickin’ Moms, and my love continues to grow!
How would you describe your style?
Dreamy, artistic and emotive
What’s in your gear bag?
My Kelly Moore 2 Sues bag is packed with a Canon 5D Mark iii, 135L, 35L, extra memory cards and candy for bribing purposes. I also carry Pentax 645n. I have a soft spot for film in my personal images.
One lens you can’t live without?
135L! It is my go to lens! That baby rarely comes off my camera during a session. The bokeh is delish!
How did you market yourself when you started out?
Facebook! I so wish Facebook had the same reach these days.
What’s the best lesson in photography that you’ve learned so far?
This business is tough. I have fallen down many, many times. But, each time, I get back up. It’s all about rising up after the fall.
Did you go to school for photography or were you self- taught? If self-taught, what helped you the most?
Self-taught. Forums like Clickin Moms and In Beauty Chaos are where I have thrived. Their workshops have been amazing! Plus, you are able to meet other photographers and make lifelong friendships.
What has been some of the hardest things to overcome in your business?
I’ve had to realize that I’m not for everyone. That’s so hard!
Do you have any tips for photographers just starting out?
Go ahead and unlike a LOT of those photography Facebook pages. I know, I know…you’re thinking I’m crazy. When I first started out, I “liked” everyone’s page. And then I would question everything I did: “Why am I not as good as ‘X’ Photography?”, “Gosh, she is soooo much better than me!”, “I wish I was as talented as them!”, etc. Does any of this sound familiar? Now, I only “like” a handful of pages. Photographers that I enjoy seeing their work come across my feed. Some of them big name, some of them little name.
So get rid of that little bit of negativity! Stop comparing yourself to others. Everyone has something to bring to the table 🙂
What are your thoughts on props?
I’m a minimalist when it comes to props. I don’t use props that much in my photography as I try to get my subjects to interact with their surroundings. When I do use props, it’s usually a small item so that it doesn’t take away from the subject.
We are going to play a game… name the first person that comes to mind when you think of…
Newborn photographer: Bethney Backhaus Photography
Wedding photographer: BluElla Photography
Lifestyle photographer: Danielle Hatcher Photography
Most inspiration person: My dad is my hero. But if we are talking about the photography world…one of my friends, Shannon Wilkinson. She is one of the strongest people I know. She has been by my side over the past couple of years. So many ups and downs, and I never see her stumble. And she is one kick ass black and white photographer.
Find HCS Photography on the Web: Website | Facebook | Google+
