Today we’d like to introduce you to Hollis Conway.
Hi Hollis, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Over the summers when I was growing up, I would haul cases and set up lights for my Dad, who was a commercial photographer. We spent even more time together while I assisted him in high school, learning how to produce images and run a studio.
I left for college, only to be disappointed that there weren’t any classes about starting a business. After two years of trying college out, I left to open a photography business, funded by my mom and guided by my dad.
Since then, my parents have retired, and I have my own family who is often with me, taking photos, helping push the button, and sweeping the floors.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There are always struggles and disappointments in business. Times when I spent too much on marketing that didn’t work out, or chose to work with a client who I knew was right for me. I think as a business owner, you learn to trust your instinct and lean into change. It’s a challenge to always think about the future, where you are going. Don’t dwell on the past mistakes, make the changes, or learn the new thing. There isn’t room for procrastination.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a commercial photographer who specializes in food and product photography. As much as I would like to list a prestigious art school or some other amazing educational institution. I do not have more than a handful of art classes and lots of hands-on training. My skills are somewhat self-taught, with guidance from my dad. My best skills may be my positive outlook and creative problem-solving, which greatly help me focus on the future I want to create. Although I am a photographer by trade, my artistic expression comes out in other forms of art that I don’t profit from.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
My childhood summers with my sisters. We created imaginary homes and traded our crafted items with each other. We would climb trees and go on adventures to the lake, sit in the willow trees and listen to our favorite songs, then ride our bikes until the lightning bugs came out. It was the idyllic 80s childhood, complete with neighborhood games and bike gangs.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hollisconwayphotography.com
- Instagram: @hollisconwayphotography
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollisconway/
