Today we’d like to introduce you to Jillian Hogan.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Yes of course! Well, I was never really fond of being in front of the camera as a child and I think I may have tortured my mom with my uncooperativeness when I was just becoming a teenager. In high cchool, I enrolled in a black and white photography class with a darkroom and all. I absolutely fell in love with being behind the lens. I loved being in the darkroom with the music going, hanging out with friends and the excitement that came along with developing your own images.
From that point on I knew I enjoyed photography but it wasn’t anything that I was too serious about. In 2005 I enrolled at The University of Texas at Austin and started in their photojournalism program. I quickly realized newspapers were just not my thing but I really loved telling stories through photographs.
One night while I was working in college as a banquet server during a wedding, I approached the photographer to see if I could carry around his bags to learn a bit about the industry. Fast-forward a few months later, I was his second photographer at weddings and was being taught all the unexciting, technical things that would only help me to flourish down the road. I absolutely loved the idea of eventually being my own boss, setting my schedule and photographing all the pretty, little details that come along with weddings.
At the same time this was going on, I was also deep into documentary photography and photographing weddings was sort of looked down upon, so I really struggled with what I wanted to do in this field. In 2006, I began a school project that became very personal to me. It was about a three-year-old boy named Tanner Evers and his family’s day-to-day life and struggles as he battled against Neuroblastoma.
This completely changed my views on life, and the fragility of everything we think know. This experience gave me the courage to really follow my heart no matter what others may think of my path. I knew at this point, I loved photography and telling all types of stories from weddings to some of the greatest struggles in life. Photography was my passion and I was going to follow it however I pleased.
Has it been a smooth road?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. I was an assistant photographer for many years and really struggled with the pressure of opening up my own business. I was constantly consumed with thinking about how hard it would be and what if I failed. After the death of the sweet boy Tanner Evers that I mentioned previously, I decided to just do it and open up my own business.
Life is fleeting and some chances may just never come around again. I held onto a few corporate jobs for stability but they were not fulfilling me. I was living in San Diego at the time and the cost of living kept me in limbo between my day job and photography. Finally in 2013, My husband and I decided to move back to Texas.
We bought our first home in McKinney and I finally decided after my first daughter was born that I was going to put everything I had into this and make it work as my full-time job. Having her gave me the motivation to finally put myself out there. I wanted nothing more than to be able to do what I love while being at home with my new baby and things just began to grow from there.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Jillian Hogan Photography – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Jillian Hogan Photography is an Exclusive Dallas Ft. Worth Wedding and Portrait Photographer based out of McKinney, Texas. I specialize in creating natural, vibrant and timeless images that you will fall in love with all over again twenty years from now. Since I have a background in photojournalism, I strive to combine all your candid moments with a bit of guided posing to get you moving around, acting silly together while still throwing a few poses into the mix.
My experience over the last ten years has really built me up to the point of being able to work in any type of lighting situation. I pride myself in delivering reception photos that are just awesome as your getting ready shots and sunset portraits.
I just love creating real connections with my clients and delivering top-notch customer service. I only take on a specific number of weddings each year to ensure this same level of service and enjoy continuing to build relationships with my clients and their families long after the wedding.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
My favorite things about DFW are the affordability of living, the shopping and all the amazingly delicious restaurants that we have. There are way too many to name.
I would say my least favorite things would be the distance sometimes that we have to drive from place to place and as someone from the northeast, I wish there were more hills and trees!
Pricing:
- Wedding Collections begin at $2600
- Portrait Collections begin at $400
Contact Info:
- Address: 7804 Shasta Drive McKinney, Texas 75071
- Website: www.jillianhogan.com
- Phone: 914.474.8121
- Email: jillianhoganphoto@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jillianhoganphoto/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jillianhoganphotography
- Other: https://www.weddingwire.com/biz/jillian-hogan-photography-mckinney/cf0a87cc0dbd2d96.html
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