Today we’d like to introduce you to Autumn Harris.
Hi Autumn, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My journey behind the lens began in 2011 when I photographed my first wedding for a pair of high school sweethearts. That single day sparked a decade-long obsession with the power of a visual narrative. When I officially launched my business in 2017, I intentionally chose a name that didn’t end in ‘Photography’ because I knew, even then, that my vision was too big for a single medium. I had a gut feeling that I was meant for the cinematic world of video; I just hadn’t built the bridge yet.
I spent the following years diving headfirst into high-level mentorships and technical training, obsessing over the mechanics of motion. The moment I delivered my first few wedding films, I was hooked. There is something profoundly special about building a story that forces an audience to feel—to laugh, to cry, and to revisit a moment they thought was gone.
Today, I run a high impact studio, split equally between cinematic wedding films and art-forward photography. But I quickly realized that I didn’t want to just ‘show up and take pictures.’ I craved a more immersive creative process. I now collaborate with incredible makeup artists and design custom sets to curate entire visual experiences for my clients. Whether it’s a wedding or a brand session, I’m not just a spectator with a camera; I’m a director and a creative partner.
The rebrand to Autumn & Hive was the final piece of the puzzle. I wanted to keep the bee motif from my original studio as a nod to my roots, but I needed the brand to reflect the elevated, sophisticated experience I now provide. The ‘Hive’ represents the collaborative energy I bring to every shoot—a meticulous, industrious approach that ensures my clients feel prepared and confident while we create something truly commanding. It’s about taking those loose, vibrant ideas and turning them into a soulful reflection that stands the test of time.”
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Oh my goodness, let’s be real: being a business owner is never a smooth road. Anyone who says it is, is either a fibber or they have a massive team helping them. As a solopreneur, it is incredibly challenging to run a service-based business of any kind. You start realizing what you need to charge to actually make a livable wage, and then the reality hits: ‘Oh man, I have to actually learn how to run a business from a marketing perspective, and I don’t know anything about marketing.’
Shifting from just posting pretty pictures on Instagram or relying on those unnamed directory websites to actually learning the art of SEO, running ads correctly, and creating a brand voice that sounds like me has been a huge undertaking. On top of all that, I’m operating several social media accounts, acting as the creative director for every project, and shooting and editing all of my own films and photographs. To say I do the job of about seven people is an understatement. I spend every waking second working on this brand because I want to show people exactly why I’m an expert in my field and, honestly, why I’m so much fun to work with.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in dramatic, high-impact photography and videography for the bold and beautifully unconventional. My work is a departure from the ‘standard template’ I trade safe, boring imagery for intentional storytelling that actually has a pulse. I’m known for creating deeply personalized experiences where my clients feel prepared and confident enough to let their walls down. I believe everyone deserves a record of their life that feels as electric as their favorite song, not a gallery of poses that feel stiff or manufactured.
On a personal level, I’m most proud of my rebrand to Autumn & Hive, which celebrates its one-year anniversary this August. I am the heart behind everything that happens here, and I reached a point where I wanted my business to be a soulful reflection of my actual personality, the ‘chaos goblin’ energy, the nerdy obsession with vintage cameras and D&D, and the technical expert who knows exactly how to read a room. I have poured every waking second into this brand, my website, and my craft because I want to show the world that you can be an absolute expert in your field while still being a human who is a blast to work with.
What truly sets me apart is the bridge I build between technical precision and raw presence. I’m a room-reader. I’m the person who handles the complex, detail-oriented planning so my clients can stay present. I ensure you look like the most expressive version of yourself, not the version of you who forgot how your legs worked the moment you saw a camera. Whether I’m helping a client through a ‘Ricky Bobby’ moment with their hands or orchestrating a high-energy brand session, I’m there to ensure the final result is a commanding, masterful reflection of the version of yourself that lives in your heart.
What matters most to you? Why?
Professionally, what matters most to me is authenticity. It is so paramount to be real and to do things that bring you genuine joy. I’ll be honest: I spent the early part of my career trying to be like everyone else. I shot the same way and edited the same way, just hoping the artists I was emulating would embrace me. But after a few years, I felt hollow. I didn’t even recognize my own work, and I realized that ‘copy-and-paste’ version of myself wasn’t what my clients wanted, either. We want to be unique, dramatic, and exciting. Why on earth would I try to be a carbon copy when I can be the loud, fun, and dramatic creator I actually am?
That need for authenticity also fuels my love for travel and experiencing different cultures. It’s not about checking destinations off a list for the ‘gram; it’s about getting outside of my own bubble, being a student of the world, and bringing that broader, more cultured perspective back to my art. It keeps me grounded and helps me connect with people from all walks of life.
Because I spend so much time in the great outdoors, I’m also a massive advocate for environmentalism and ‘Leave No Trace’ principles. It’s incredibly important to me that we can create these epic, high-impact visuals in beautiful locations without leaving a footprint behind. Respecting the land is a huge part of how I operate. At the end of the day, everyone who knows me comments on how personable and outgoing I am, and I think it’s so important to reflect that energy, and that respect for the world back into my business and my art.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://autumnandhive.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/autumn_and_hive/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AutumnAndHive
- Other: https://share.google/wneGkjkXiRxmGPRV5
