Today we’d like to introduce you to Hope Robinson.
Hi Hope, 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 backstories with our readers?
My name is Hope and I am a 23-year-old Dallas-based wedding and elopement photographer. I actually grew up in Keene, a small town outside of Fort Worth Texas. Ever since I was 10 years old, I wanted to do photography. I started out taking photos with iPod touch 3 and then moved up to a point and shoot on my 16th birthday. I practiced often taking pictures of my family, friends, and even at local events such as the Renaissance Festival.
The biggest game-changer was when my now husband bought me my first DSLR, a Canon Rebel T6. It is the perfect beginner camera and from there I was able to start photographing actual clients. From couples to families and even a few sessions just for dogs! About a year later I was able to upgrade my equipment and I started second shooting weddings for a few photographer friends. I second shot around 50 weddings before finally feeling confident enough to start taking on my own wedding clients. I remember sitting down to edit the photos from my first wedding and just thinking “Wow, I captured that… I did that… And I can do it again!”
Ever since then I’ve been hooked on weddings, elopements, and couples’ photos. I have been full-time almost two years now, shot over 100 weddings and I don’t regret a single moment. Capturing people’s love and some of the most important moments in their life is a dream job for me and I am thankful every day that I get to do what I love.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I definitely struggled (and still do) with Imposter Syndrome and self-doubt. It is so easy to get caught up on what other photographers are doing, how they’re doing it, and how amazing their work is. It made me feel like my work wasn’t worth what I was charging and there was no point in trying to even become a photographer because how could I stand out among the hundreds of other photographers in the area?
It was also hard to overcome the fear of people thinking I’m a fraud and I didn’t know what I was talking about. I started taking actual clients when I was 20 years old and often times I felt looked down on because I was so young and I felt like I wasn’t taken seriously for what I was doing. Imposter syndrome is something I still struggle with every day but I work hard to combat it by reminding myself that everyone has something to offer and someone is going to need what you’re offering.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a full-time wedding and destination elopement photographer. I partner with my husband who is a videographer and we often work together and a photo and videography team!
I specialize in weddings, destination elopements, and couples’ photography because I love documenting love and everything about the wedding planning journey. My experience has given me the ability to help my clients with timelines, sharing my experience with other wedding vendors, and providing educational resources such as outfit guides for engagement sessions. When I married my husband, it gave me a lot of insight as a photographer and helped me understand what moments and experiences were truly important to couples. For my couples, I strive to be a calm presence in the rush.
Something that I believe sets me apart from others is my client experience. I try to be a friend to my clients as opposed to “just some random person they hired for photography”. After all, we are spending all day together on one of the most important days of their life, we might as well become best friends! For my clients, I am always one text away for any question they might have.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Photography was never important in my family and I actually have maybe 3 photos total from my childhood and of my family. That may be normal to some and shocking to others but as I have gotten older it has made me realize that photos and tangible memories are important because one day it will be all you have, and all people have to share of you. Because of that, I’m a memory hoarder. I’ve never thrown out a card from my parents or my husband. I have boxes of ticket stubs; friendship bracelets and I hold on to every gift I receive.
Not having much to share and pass down to my future family has become a huge motivation for me to not only photographer all of the little important moments for my clients but to also stop and photograph the in-between moments for my husband and as well That way when we are older, we have photos and videos to share and pass down to our grandkids.
Pricing:
- Weddings Starting Price: $2600
- Elopement Starting Price: $1500
- Couples Sessions: $400
Contact Info:
- Email: hopeher98@yahoo.com
- Website: www.herphotography.co
- Instagram: instagram.com/hopeherphotography
Image Credits:
HER Photography
