WeddingDay Pro Spotlight: Kara Hanes, Kara Hanes Photography

You will look back at your wedding photos for years to come. Though they should always bring back happy memories and feelings, having a great photographer who truly cares about you and your spouse can ensure those memories get captured. Nothing makes the wedding photography process run smoother than knowing that your photographer is a friend and makes you feel comfortable.

With the main goal of making your wedding about you and not just the photos, Kara Hanes from Kara Hanes Photography wants to focus on you and your expectations. Kara isn’t afraid to go out of her way to get to know you and even help alleviate stress in the process. Candid moments are truly her favorite, and she loves to share laughs while she takes her beautiful photos. We got a chance to talk with Kara and learn more about what drives her as a photographer.

What inspired your business? What keeps you motivated?

"For as long as I can remember, I would be at family events or small trips to restaurants, and my Grandma would pull out a camera to save memories. When I graduated high school, I received a book full of the photos she saved over the years. Now that she’s gone, all I have left are the memories I have of her through pictures she gave me, and I cherish each and every one of them. The photos she took remind me that what I’m doing as a photographer matters to someone, and if not, the photos I take will someday."

Tell us about your experience and skills.

"The funny thing is, I did not do any formal training on how to be a photographer. I spent years of trial and error with my camera, lighting, location and so on, and also learning a lot from others. It wasn’t until the last couple years when I stumbled across nationally-known photographers who provide online courses that I discovered my creative outlet for photography is more about me and what I see than what things are supposed to look like from someone else’s perspective or opinion. I’ve learned the technical side of things through YouTube and online courses, and still value anything that helps me learn something new."

As a business owner, what do you wish to accomplish with your customers? What can a couple look forward to when booking you?

"My main goal is to make sure my couples truly have a wonderful wedding experience. I want them to walk away from their wedding thinking that it’s truly the best day ever and not just all about pictures. The best way for me to make this happen is to properly prepare my clients with information on what to expect and to communicate a lot prior to their wedding. This is one reason why I really value an engagement session—engagement sessions not only provide beautiful photos but help clients and me get to know one another. In engagement sessions, clients can get a feel for how I work so when I show up on their wedding day they have a friend and not just a photographer. Additionally, what we learn from each other at an engagement session will save so much time on a wedding day."

Give us an overview of your services. What makes your business unique?

"From the outside my services might seem like any other photographer’s services. However, I like to meet with my couples either by phone, in person or video chat to make sure we are the perfect fit. I like to get to know them, hear their relationship story and become friends. I like to check in with them during the wedding planning process to see how they are doing with the stress and give advice, tips or suggestions. After the wedding, I want to continue celebrating with them when they have kids, get a new pet or start a new job."

Tell us about your favorite part of your job. What keeps it fun for you?

"My favorite part of my job is meeting new faces. There are always guests I become quick friends with at a wedding, and I get to hear about them, their life and how they know the couple. These could be friends from college, a family member, or even co-workers. I love hearing all about their point of view of the relationship. I also love to laugh and create art, so finding opportunities for candid moments that are fun, funny or even sad are so fulfilling."

What do you love about the industry you work in?

"I love the community that is created. These days photography is a very popular industry and there are so many of us just wanting to talk about it, share it and learn from one another. I have made some really great friends through my profession and I don’t think our paths would have crossed otherwise."

What’s the most common question you get from couples? What’s your answer to it?

"The most popular question I get is 'How long have you been a photographer?' This is such a hard question for me, and I think a lot of it is because I felt like such a “fauxtographer” for so long. I purchased my first DSLR (a digital camera where you can change the lenses) when my son was born in 2008. I took photos of family and friends for fun and then realized I could get paid for it. It wasn’t until 2012 when I officially registered my business that I really considered myself a photographer. I spent years doing this business on the side while working full time. I captured a lot of families, but I photographed my first wedding solo in 2013 and absolutely loved it. I decided to take the leap in 2020 and go full-time, upgraded my equipment, and I’m absolutely loving every minute of it."

What are the best tips you have for helping couples prepare for their big day? Any other words of wisdom to share?

"My biggest piece of advice I give couples is to enjoy being together during the engagement and to try not to spend so much time focusing on the wedding. Once you begin wedding planning, it can be all-consuming. Remember that weddings are about being together, so focus on each other more than the event"

Take a moment to brag about something you’re proud of!

"I’m so proud of the fact that I get to be a part of people’s lives and make their moments into memories. When I went into this business I didn’t want to do it just for the money (yeah. a girl’s gotta eat!), but I wanted to be fulfilled in some way. By creating lasting relationships I feel that I’m doing much more than taking pictures."

How do you calm the nerves of anxious clients? What do you do to make them feel comfortable?

"I’m a full believer that anxiety can be caused a lot by not knowing what will happen next. I love to communicate expectations of the day and ways we can work around problems if they arise. This could mean finding alternate photo spots if it’s raining or putting your uncle so-and-so on the opposite side of family formals to keep the tension from building up. If the timeline is getting smaller and smaller, I can work creatively to make things happen in a tight schedule while still keeping the atmosphere light."

What are your future goals for your business? How do you see it growing in the future?

"While I love working with all sorts of clients, creatively one of my top goals is to serve primarily wedding clients and high school seniors. I see my business growing in a direction where more and more clients become not only aware of what I can offer them as a photographer but of the lasting connections that can be made when they choose my services."

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