Ever since I was a child, I've been passionate about creativity. As I grew older, this passion guided me through various stages of my life, ultimately leading to the creation of my photography business, L.Hibbard Photography, in 2018. In this blog post, I'll share my journey and the experiences that shaped my career as a professional photographer.
The Early Years: Studying Arts, Design, and Photography
My love for creativity led me to study arts and design at school. I later pursued photography and business in college in 2010. These experiences laid the foundation for my future career and gave me the skills necessary to succeed as a photographer.
Marriage and Parenthood
On November 21st, 2014, I married my husband , and we embarked on the beautiful journey of building our lives together. The journey to Marriage taught me the challenges of planning a wedding and the importance of capturing life's precious moments.
When our first child, James, was born on August 20th, 2015, I experienced the physical and emotional changes that come with childbirth. The feeling of losing oneself during this time is something many parents can relate to. I also realized that capturing these fleeting moments was more important than ever.
A Turning Point: The Cold and Expensive Newborn Photo Session
As a new parent, I decided to have a newborn photo session for James. However, the experience was far from ideal. The studio was cold and plain, and there was no consideration for the comfort of the parents especially being postpartum. The extreme pricing of the images created unwanted debt that took months to pay off. This experience motivated me to create a better photography experience for families.
Building L.Hibbard Photography
When James started nursery, I committed to building my own photography business. I am incredibly grateful for the wonderful people who volunteered to help build my portfolio and gain experience in various photography areas. I had the opportunity to work at weddings and parties, learning studio work with newborns, children, families, and more. Working with prominent clients like NHS, Miller & Carter, Cloudflare, and Youth Create Does Parties has been an incredible experience, allowing me to grow both personally and professionally.
Overcoming Challenges: Leo's Birth and Gestational Diabetes
In 2021, our family welcomed Leo. This pregnancy was challenging, as I developed gestational diabetes, a form of diabetes that affects pregnant women. The condition left me feeling unwell and impacted my daily life. Gestational diabetes taught me the importance of self-care and perseverance.
As my journey progressed, I encountered another unexpected challenge: developing intolerances due to childbirth. The physical changes that occur during pregnancy and childbirth can sometimes have lingering effects on our bodies, and in my case, I found myself dealing with food intolerances I had never experienced before. Adjusting to these new restrictions was initially overwhelming, but it ultimately taught me the importance of listening to my body and finding balance.
Navigating these intolerances and finding ways to manage them has been a learning experience, and it has further reinforced my understanding of the challenges that many parents face. As a photographer, I strive to create a comfortable and inclusive environment for all my clients providing suitable food and drink where possible, and this personal experience has only strengthened my commitment to that goal.
Creating an Inclusive Studio Environment
My studio is warm, homely, and colorful, designed to be child-friendly and accommodate SEN individuals. As a parent to James, who has ADHD, I understand the unique challenges faced by children with this condition. ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is characterized by symptoms such as inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. As a parent, I've had to learn how to adapt and support James in navigating his daily life. This experience has made me more empathetic and understanding when working with families who face similar challenges.
The Impact of Parenthood and Marriage on My Photography Journey
Parenthood and marriage have profoundly influenced my perspective on life and my photography career. Having children changes your priorities, and money often doesn't stretch as far due to increased expenses. As a parent, I understand the joys, pressures, and hard times that come with raising a family. Likewise, being married has given me insight into the partnership between two people, allowing me to capture the essence of these relationships in my photography.
My journey to becoming a professional photographer and creating L.Hibbard Photography has been filled with growth, challenges, and rewarding experiences. Through my passion for creativity and the lessons learned from marriage and parenthood, I strive to provide a unique, inclusive, and empathetic photography experience for families.
We don't often stop and take a moment in life even just a quick pause and I love that I can provide this within a session, taking that time out is precious as you never know what life will give you next. With each session, I aim to capture the essence of the subjects and the love shared between them, creating lasting memories for families to cherish.
I am grateful for every opportunity I've had on this journey and look forward to continuing to grow and evolve as a photographer and business owner.