Original Article on VoyageMinnesota | September 18, 2024

“Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Hanson

Hi Heather, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Back in 2009, I was finishing my degree in Journalism and Art at the University of Minnesota when I met and friended my colleague Jennifer Whalen, who was pursuing professional photography. We got to talking and she told me she was photographing weddings under the mentorship of a couple of local wedding photographers and that I should come along. I decided to give it a try and remember being instantly hooked: It was challenging, it was intimate, it was creative. and I loved it.

In the summer of 2009, I moved to Oakland, California where I began establishing myself as a professional photographer. I started interning as the house photographer for Supperclub San Francisco (while working other jobs like arresting shoplifters to help pay the rent). It opened so many doors for me and I met several life-long photographer friends. Together we photographed fashion shows, styled shoots, and weddings. At this point, I would still describe my style as photojournalistic and natural but I was also experimenting with light in dark environments and the culture of San Francisco.

Jump ahead to 2011, I moved back to the Minneapolis area to be with the love of my life (and now husband), Doug. He encouraged and supported me to pursue my passion as a wedding photographer and I established my LLC (Heather Hanson Photography) in 2013. I found a specific niche in working with offbeat couples and non-traditional weddings and have been running with it ever since! At this point in my career, I’m most interested in approaching photography as a form of modern art and harnessing techniques that push the limits of the craft. I use natural posing, careful curation of objects, and candid shots to intimately tell each couple’s story in a visual essay. For me, it’s about creating an individual and unique experience for every client.

Currently, I have a dreamy new office in St. Louis Park at The Coven, where I can welcome in more clients for their wedding album designs, as well as grab headshots and family portraits. I just moved in July 2024 so it’s a whole new adventure for me and my business, I can’t wait to see what I can create here!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t been an easy journey for me. I used to have so much anxiety the night before each wedding I photographed. The pressure is intense — you can’t just schedule a reshoot of a huge life event if you “mess up” or miss an important moment. That anxiety over time pushed me to prepare in ways I’ve learned others in the industry don’t though, so I take it as a learning moment. For instance, I discuss extensively with couples before their wedding to get details, and lists of family members (by name), and write up a comprehensive timeline for myself. I still feel the pressure to perform at each event, but I’m confident in my abilities and love the challenge of creating something unique for each couple.

I also happen to be a mom to three small children at this juncture in life and, as with any job, finding work/life balance can be a struggle in and of itself. I’m still learning and growing though!

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I LOVE playing with light, shadow, texture, and movement. I also enjoy experimenting with poses and composition, which is what I would like to be most recognized for. Reflective surfaces and harsh sunlight are my happy place. It’s hard to photograph popular portrait spots and venues I’ve been to before, so I always see it as a game to find a new way to look at and capture these scenes.

I’m proud that I continue to grow as an artist and define my unique style as my experience grows. Learning is a life-long journey, so I’m also proud that I continue to dabble and learn from other crafts, like embroidering on my photos or combining multi-media pieces.

How do you think about luck?
I honestly think it’s important to “make your own luck.” What I mean by that is that the more exposure you have to different experiences, the more likely you are to be given opportunities that align with your life and business goals. I’ve had to set aside my own shyness and personal boundaries in order to open doors and I have zero regrets from those experiences. Is that lucky? Yes, I feel fortunate to be where I’m at now, but that didn’t come without pushing myself and working hard.

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