Petya Hatch shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Petya, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
One thing that I have always done ever since starting my photography business is offer a free maternity session when clients purchase a newborn session. Most people probably see this as an incentive to sell packages, but it really has a different purpose. The most important thing for me when working with clients is to build that relationship. Having a newborn can be a really stressful time and it is a huge adjustment for many first-time parents. I like to offer the free maternity sessions to be able to get to know my clients in a more relaxed environment, so we can get to know each other and build that rapport. I find that working with my clients and being able to discuss their upcoming session and answering all their questions puts them at ease. Clients are much more comfortable knowing the person that will be working with their newborn. Yes, it is a lot more time and commitment on my part to offer these sessions, but making the experience a great one for my clients is worth it in the end.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Petya Hatch Photography specializes in newborn, maternity, and family photography. My favorite work has always been newborns. I am a very creative person, and I just love doing all types of photography.
What sets me apart from other photographers, is my dedication to give people images that they absolutely LOVE!
For newborn sessions, I hand make all of my own props for each session. Every session it totally unique and I make custom knit items for each family. I spend so much time even before the baby is born making items for their session.
For the maternity and family sessions, I want to give families amazing images that they will love forever. I want to give images that are creative and artistic that they could not get anywhere else. I always strive to produce images that are far beyond the family’s expectations. I am far from a normal photographer. I take basic images from the camera and develop them through editing into something that is a piece of art. If my clients don’t say, “WOW” when they receive their galleries, then I did not do my job.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
The people who taught me the most about work were my grandparents. Growing up on a farm with them, I learned the value of dedication, patience, and attention to detail – lessons that I have carried over directly to my photography. Just like tending to the land, capturing newborns requires care, consistency, and a hands-on approach. Watching them work tirelessly and with pride instilled in me a strong work ethic that I bring to every session.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
My biggest fear has always been failure – the idea of pouring my whole heart into something and still falling short. For a long time, that fear kept me playing small and second-guessing my instincts. But the truth is, failure has been my greatest teacher. Every setback has refined my vision and pushed me to grow in ways success never could. I don’t fear failing anymore- I fear standing still.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
Absolutely – what you see is what you get. The calm, confident energy people feel in my studio isn’t a performance; it’s who I am at my core. I don’t believe in separating my personal self from my creative one – the artist, the nurturer, the perfectionist – they all show up when I am behind the camera. My clients trust me because I’m real, and I think that authenticity is what brings the emotion to my work.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
If I retired tomorrow, my clients would miss the calm, nurturing experience I create in the studio – a space where they can truly relax and be present in those fleeting newborn moments. They’d miss the intentional artistry behind every image, the care in detail, and the feeling of being completely cared for from start to finish. More than anything, I think they’d miss the emotional connection we build – the trust, the tenderness, and the joy of knowing their baby’s earliest story was captured with genuine love and timeless elegance.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.petyahatchphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/petyahatchphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PetyaHatchPhotography
