Today we’d like to introduce you to Hannah Drees.
Hannah, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Hello, my name is Hannah, I am 20 years old. I was raised in the Memphis area and have been homeschooled from 1st grade to my senior year in high school. I was adopted from China and have truly been blessed with an amazing family. My passion for photography started at a young age when my mom owned her first Apple phone. I distinctly remember the one photo that changed my entire view of the world through a lens. The photo was taken at a low angle, looking up at our address number at night. From then on, I would take photos with my mom’s phone at any opportunity. Around 12/13, I received my first phone and would constantly take photos of landscapes, flowers, or anything I found fascinating. On my 14 birthday, my Uncle, who was a photographer, gifted me a Nikon camera. After receiving the camera, I went onto YouTube to learn the functions of the camera and the terminology used in photography. At first, I just used the camera to take nature photos or close details of objects. Anytime there was a special event or place I knew had unique or artistic settings, I would bring my camera. Slowly, I learned how to edit photos by using filters, exposure, etc. But later, I discovered that I loved portrait photography, especially when my friends and sister allowed me to take their photos. On the occasions we visited natural areas or unique structural backgrounds, I would get so excited to take my friend’s photos. I would already have my spatial area scene laid out in my head and work with my friend on the poses. Over the years, I realized that photography is a lot of experimentation and making small changes in your settings. Again, my uncle and parents, being so kind, gifted me for Christmas in 2020 a Nikon d7100 camera. Additionally, my uncle separately gifted me an extremely good-quality lens for portrait photography. He knew my skills had advanced, and I desired to learn more intricate settings in the camera. With my new camera, I was so honored when several of my friends asked me to take their senior portraits. I was so blessed to capture that momentous accomplishment in their lives. Often, I look back at my past photos…and cringe. But I know it’s part of the journey and a learning experience. After buying a subscription to Adobe Lightroom Classic in 2023, I discovered a whole new world of editing. The first photoshoot I used to edit with Lightroom Classic was at Collierville Square on the trains with one of my good friends. Again, I learned the functions/settings for Adobe Lightroom Classic from YouTube and experimented a lot, spending hours on it. I loved my results from the Collierville Square, creating a vintage, timeless photoshoot. Truly, my passion lies in Life portraits and creating a certain vibe or mood. I would design these themed life portraits from the person’s clothes to the background, and lastly, tailor my editing to match the vibe of the photoshoot. What I love to do sometimes, though, is find the trendy photoshoot or trick on Instagram I see. Then I grabbed one of my friends to be my guinea pig, and we had fun designing these eloquent, unique photos. Over this past year, after graduating from school, I wanted to start my own freelancing business for real. So, I bought my first camera, a Sony a7 IV, and I love it. In the past, I had started a side fun Instagram page with all my photography, and from it, I learned it required hours of my days. I know dedication, planning, and so much more goes into being a Freelancer in any business. I am still trying to figure it all out. It’s hard to balance my time from being too consumed by the next trendy photography media, but enough that I post well-planned content that shows my passion for photography. Though I struggled and continued to at times, I started my photography business on August 3rd, 2024. I came up with my brand name, hdportraits1031. For my business name, I integrated my initials, my specialty in the photography field, and lastly, my Bible verse I wish to live out in my photography. 1 Corinthians 10:31: “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” This journey of Freelancing photography has been a challenge and a joy. At times, I feel so inspired, and other times, I am just dragging my feet to do the mandatory work. But also feel so lost and overwhelmed about what’s next or how to file taxes. Truly, though, I love the opportunity to serve my friends or clients and preserve those beautiful life portraits, senior portraits, or whatever occasion moments.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has been a smooth and bumpy ride as a Freelancer photographer or just a photographer in general! One of the challenges I have faced in photography is to know and understand all the technical terminology in photography. But the biggest struggle I have had is the business side of photography. I am still trying to work through that, but my dad and many other people in my life have been instrumental in helping out and supporting me.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I do freelancing photography! I specialize in portrait/life portrait photography. Here and there, I have done some family portraits, but not my specialty. I hope I am known for the fun experimental photographer friend who grabs you and goes here, let’s try this new trend, whether it be pantyhose over the lens to create a haze or fairy lights. I am most proud of the improvement of my photography over the years and how much I have self-taught myself. I think what sets me apart from other photographers is I always have different moods or vibes in each photoshoot. I know some photographers stick to the same filters or keep the consistency of their photos. But I love tailoring my photos to my surroundings, the outfits of my models, etc.
What makes you happy?
Spending time with family and friends and snuggling my dog makes me happy. I cherish and love the simple daily moments in life.
Pricing:
- Portraits $150/hour session (ex:graduation, new profile picture, etc)
- Life Portraits $150/hour session (themed photos)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hdportraits1031.mypixieset.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hdportraits1031/
