Meet Lauren Hillery

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Hillery.  

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Photography initially began as a hobby and a way to capture beautiful images of my children and family. As my skills grew, friends and family began requesting that I take photos of them as well. While my side business continued to grow, I was still working full-time as an occupational therapist assistant in a skilled nursing facility. I spent 7 years at that facility, assisting hundreds of patients to regain their independence in some of life’s most basic tasks. I truly feel like God had me there for a reason because I spend the entirety of 2020 working closely with many older adults who were completely isolated from their loved ones. Ultimately, the job took a major toll on my mental health after watching so many people pass from COVID-19 as well as simply just giving up on life (most likely due to depression). My husband encouraged me to leave my career and pursue my photography business full time. Although I legally began my business in 2019, 2021 was my first year being a full-time photographer. That year, I photographed over 350 families. It has been such a joy to meet new faces and capture timeless memories! I adore the fact that photography also allows me to build relationships with my clients, similar to the relationships I was able to build in the healthcare field. 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Everyone has ups and downs in life, right? I absolutely feel that I was supposed to leave my healthcare career to pursue entrepreneurship. It is definitely reassuring when you can feel confident about such a huge leap of faith. Yet, owning a business is no easy feat. I have learned so much since I took the plunge to being a full-time photographer, and I am still learning almost daily. I think a huge struggle for me initially was not delegating and spreading myself way too thin. My family really suffered (I am married with a 6- & 4-year-old). I have recognized that I can outsource tasks to lessen my load, which allows me to be present with my family and also grow in my craft. Another struggle for me is my “people-pleasing” tendencies. I have learned that saying “no” is completely normal and healthy! As a business owner, I have to be able to make appropriate decisions and handle difficult situations without worrying about hurting someone’s feelings or offending them. 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
In a broad sense, I am a portrait photographer. But I specialize in family photography. I also photograph maternity sessions, newborn sessions, and children’s portraits. I have been recognized as one of the best family photographers in Columbus by Expertise.com for the last two years. I am proud of the client experience that I provide. I pride myself on effective and efficient communication. I strive to leave no question unanswered and frequently check in with my clients. I am also proud of my creativity! I occasionally offer themed mini sessions, one of which has been “unicorn” themed. I hired the owner of a white horse, purchased a unicorn horn, and created a magical unicorn photography experience. I think my personality and approach to photography are what sets me apart. I have over 80, 5-star reviews on Google, with many clients mentioning how quickly they felt a connection with me. I am very approachable and relatable. I love getting to know my clients for who they are, so my sessions are filled with lots of conversation. My goal is to make my clients feel understood and comfortable, in order to truly capture their genuine selves. 

How do you define success?
I believe that success is when you reach your personal goals. No one else can define what your personal success will look like other than you! I am still a work in progress, but I am learning that goal-setting is so valuable. Whether they are short-term or long-term, if you never set goals, you will never have a way to measure your success. 

Pricing:

• My mini sessions (15-minutes) have a session fee of $150.
• My portrait sessions have a session fee of $350.
• My newborn sessions have a session fee of $500.
• All of my images are sold separately, with digital packages starting at $150 and print packages starting at $50.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.laurenhilleryphotography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenhilleryphoto
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laurenhilleryphoto

Image Credits
Lauren Hillery Photography