Conversations with Heather Hathaway
Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Hathaway
Hi Heather, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I am not the typical photographer, I didn’t grow up with a camera or parents in the arts, I grew up believing that the arts were for stress relief and fun; and business meant you did something serious. I had film cameras, disposable of course, but I never thought in a million years I would be a photographer. I was emersed in the arts as a child; taking art classes, sewing classes and constantly making crafts with my mom. I think a lot of my creativity comes from her.
Last year was my turning point, I was working in the financial-insurance industry, working way too many hours in what I felt was a negative environment. My work—life balance was way overweighted with work barely finding time for family, and having no time for friends. My response, I started investing in me, making me happy. I would make time for paddle boarding, I learned to scuba dive, then to spearfish. I went on hikes, rode my bike everywhere…and along the way I got happier but I wasn’t feeling myself at work still.
About this time, my father’s dementia started getting really bad. He stopped talking, and it became a rare occurrence. We found he would sit and watch YouTube videos or look at photos all the time. When I would visit I would tell him all my adventures and he would perk up and ask what it looked like, to explain and relive my experiences. That’s when it came to me! I would get a go pro and I would video it all, enabling me to share the videos and photos with him.
From here my photography seemed to take on a life of it’s own. I went from learning how to time-lapse videos of paddle board and scuba trips off YouTube, to buying a professional Canon camera and enrolling in FIRST Institute’s Photography Program. I was loving life, challenged photographically daily by classes and experiencing the freedom my creativity allowed. It was these experiences which convinced me for the first time that a creative industry can be a career and profitable business. I wanted to spread the beauty of the world with as many people as I could.
Coming out of the dark world of Covid lockdowns, tensions filled the environment and people seemed to have a negative outlook on life and our environment. I want to change that! Beauty comes from so many outlets, and we are all so invested in our own stories and the rat race of life we don’t always take the necessary time to recognize it. I want to change that. I want people to know that no matter what you are going through there is beauty. There is beauty in tears, beauty in laughter, in nature, and in yourself. So, when asked why I became a photographer there are many answers, but really they all boil down to being able to share the beauty of the world in a creative and fulfilling way.
Now I get to experience that everyday. During portrait sessions I get to empower my subject, reassuring them of their individual beauty and worth. I love delivery day! When I get to show the client their images, and I get to witness the wonder and awe at themselves….it’s the true reward of the job. In my creative projects which consist of underwater and nature photography, I love that I am bringing awareness to the environment. It’s about connecting my audience to the world around them, making them consider change and conservation.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Having a creative business is never a smooth road! There are constantly challenges from spammers & scammers to the internal battle of whether the work is enough.
Technology is a blessing and a curse. The new available editing and marketing tools would be on the blessing list, but they also fall on the curse list. With the digital marketing age it seems we spend so much time crafting and creating ads and content that we feel shows our aesthetic beauty and authenticity. Our hope, to build a community of like minded individuals to share and inspire our creativity. The outcome is that 8 out of 10 reactions are from spammers and scammers attempting either steal your identity or your work. All you can do is be aware of the problems, learn how to mitigate them, and stay strong! Don’t click on any links, consistently check for duplicate accounts (yes, someone created a fake account under my business name), and report the issues to the account moderator. You have to learn how to be resilient, bouncing back from disappointment or feelings of imposter syndrome.
Most recently my home office & studio flooded for both Helene & Milton. I lost what felt like everything; equipment, business notes, educational material, equipment (lol). I have to accept the good with the bad, while I am frustrated and devastated by my loss but excited about rebuilding to my my style and need. Resiliency, that’s my word of the month!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As a photographer, I am drawn to the dynamic interplay of light, shadow, and vibrant hues. My work aims to capture the world in a heightened state of visual drama, inviting the viewer to see the familiar in new and interesting ways.
At the heart of my creative process is a fascination with contrast – the tension between dark and light, muted and saturated tones. I wield this contrast as a tool, using it to sculpt the frame, draw the eye, and evoke powerful emotional responses. Each image is a carefully constructed study in contrasts, where opposites collide to create moments of visual intensity.
Equally important to me is the use of bold, unapologetic colors. I seek out scenes and subjects that lend themselves to a vivid, almost theatrical palette – rich crimsons, electric blues, sun-drenched yellows. These colors become characters in my photographic narratives, commanding attention and amplifying the underlying mood or message.
Ultimately, my goal is to create images that are immediate, impactful, and unforgettable. By embracing high contrast and bold color choices, I strive to distill the essence of a scene, to reveal the extraordinary within the ordinary. In doing so, I hope to inspire viewers to see the world through a new lens – one that is alive with drama, energy, and visual wonder.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Outside of my passion and love for photography, I have about 20 other loves! I am married to a wonderful man, Joe, who I met in high school and followed around the world during his 20 year military career. Together, we have a beautiful daughter Jasmine who is the light of our life. Her passion is animals, which is where the other 16 loves come from. Our current farm consists of: 2 chickens (Hermoine & Mrs.Pecker), 2 ducks (Donald & Daisy), 2 dogs (Bella & Yoda), 1 cat (Max), 1 Chameleon (Pascal), and 10 Sugar Gliders (Stich, Angel, Nani, Lilo, Rose, Lily, Daisy, Ohana, Thistle, and Sparky). Okay, maybe it’s a zoo!
