Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Reams.
Hi Heather, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started professionally photographing with one simple goal in mind: to make sure people could have beautiful photos of life’s most magical moments without feeling overwhelmed or priced out. What began as casually capturing moments for friends and family quickly turned into something more when I saw how much those images meant to them—how they froze a feeling, a season, a memory that would never come again.
As I continued learning and growing, my passion deepened. I invested time into improving my craft, understanding light, emotion, and storytelling, while staying true to what mattered most to me: creating a calm, comfortable experience that still carries excitement and joy. I want my clients to feel relaxed, seen, and genuinely excited in front of the camera.
Today, I continue to collaborate with other photographers, attend training conferences and strive myself to be better with every session. I’m proud to offer photography that’s both affordable and heartfelt—images that people can cherish for years to come. I’m constantly learning, evolving, and pushing myself to deliver work that not only captures what a moment looked like, but how it felt.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road, but every challenge has played an important role in my growth. Like many creatives, I’ve faced moments of self-doubt, steep learning curves on both the technical and business sides of photography, and the ongoing challenge of finding balance while staying true to my goal of keeping my work affordable.
Much of my journey has involved learning through trial and error—discovering my style, building confidence, and trusting the value of my work. Growth meant stepping outside my comfort zone, investing in myself, and continuing forward even when things felt uncertain. Each experience helped shape not only my skills, but also the calm, supportive environment I aim to create for every client.
I’ve also learned that not every challenge can be anticipated. At one point, my camera unexpectedly failed in the middle of a session, which was shocking and overwhelming in the moment. It was a powerful reminder that wear and tear is a natural part of working with technical equipment, no matter how carefully it’s maintained.
That experience pushed me to grow in ways I didn’t expect. Photography constantly teaches lessons you don’t always see coming, and learning as you go is part of the process. It reinforced the importance of truly understanding my gear, being prepared, continuing my education, and leaning into collaboration—whether through working with other photographers, attending conferences, or building a supportive community. Each challenge has helped me refine my approach and better understand what truly resonates with me, both creatively and professionally.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Outside of photography, I’m also an educator, currently teaching 3rd grade—a role I truly love. I enjoy sharing my photography journey with my students because it shows them that it’s possible to have more than one passion and to grow in anything you truly believe in. Just as in photography, collaboration is something I value deeply in education. I’m always looking for ways to give students meaningful life experiences and help them make real-world connections, and photography allows me to do exactly that.
I’ve been able to use my photography skills to create special projects for my students, especially around the holidays—projects their families genuinely cherish. One favorite example was a “Stuck in a Snow Globe” writing activity, where I professionally photographed each student in the classroom and used their images as part of their snow globe designs. Parents absolutely loved it, and some even reached out about family sessions, which I was happy to gift as a way of giving back.
In my photography work, I specialize in sports photography, something I’m naturally drawn to because of my own love for playing and watching sports. Over the past few years, I’ve also offered free creative sessions and mini sessions to challenge myself, gain experience, and grow more comfortable capturing a wider variety of moments. I’m always honest and upfront with my clients, and I believe that clear communication and fast turnaround times have helped build strong trust. I don’t claim to be perfect, but I care deeply about my work and will always strive to be the best I can be—for my clients, my students, and myself.
How do you think about luck?
I believe luck has played a role, but more as a complement to hard work than a replacement for it. I’ve experienced moments of good luck—being in the right place at the right time, meeting the right people, and having opportunities open up when I was ready to say yes. Those moments were exciting and encouraging, and they reminded me to stay open, grateful, and prepared.
I’ve also experienced what felt like bad luck at times, whether it was unexpected equipment issues or moments when things didn’t go as planned or the lack of availability to say yes. Looking back, those experiences pushed me to adapt, learn, and grow in ways I might not have otherwise. They taught me resilience, problem-solving, and the importance of staying calm under pressure. In both life and business, I’ve learned that “luck” often shows up when preparation, persistence, and passion meet—and even the difficult moments end up shaping you for the better.
I’ve never really thought of myself as a “lucky” person, but when I look back at the support I’ve received—from fellow photographers, my clients, and the opportunities I’ve been given and continue to receive—I can’t help but feel incredibly fortunate. In many ways, that support has made me feel like the luckiest person in the world
Pricing:
- Sports – Teams $350/Ind $75 (if drive is more than X amount of miles, mileage will apply)
- 45 Minute Session – $175
- 15 Minute Mini Sessions – $75
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.47photography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/47photographyy
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heatherreamsphotos
- Other: TikTok – @photossbyheather
Image Credits
All images were shot by myself, Heather Reams of 47 Photography.
