Sarah Petty: Anchorage Alaska outdoor portrait photographer, Hosanna Hale, was brand new to her photography business and a college student earning a BA in photography. She didn’t even have a website yet when she landed her first three “Julies”, $1k or more client orders. You’re not going to believe how big the orders from these clients were.
Welcome, Hosanna. Share your backstory.
Hosanna Hale: My grandpa was actually a photographer, which has always been an inspiration to me. He passed when I was seven, but he’s always been a special place in my heart for him. Growing up, I had a very hard childhood. I never did homeschool, public school or anything until I was 15. I was 15 years old when I started first grade. It was always a desire of mine to learn.
When I was 15, I started a homeschool program with a different family, and in four years I graduated from high school somehow. I’m not even really sure how because I’m also very severely dyslexic. After about seven years, I decided to go to college because it was a dream of mine to continue to learn. I just graduated this December, which was a huge milestone in my life.
Sarah Petty: I am so proud of you for jumping in and not using that as an excuse to live a small life.
Hosanna Hale: I graduated this December. I’m the first person in my family to graduate. I got my BA in art with a focus on photography. I’ve learned more from Sarah’s program than I did in seven years of going. I didn’t have a business before joining Sarah’s program. I literally made $100 before I joined this program.
Sarah Petty: I love your story because you jumped into our course, Boutique Breakthrough, without trying to do this on your own for 10 years trying all the things. What made you make that investment in yourself?
Hosanna Hale: In Alaska, there’s a lot of photographers and everybody’s doing the same thing. I wanted to offer my clients something more. People just have these digital piles sitting on their phone and it just made me feel yucky. I came across your stuff and knew this was what I wanted
Sarah Petty: What was your experience like in Boutique Breakthrough?
Hosanna Hale: I’m severely dyslexic and it felt a little overwhelming, but the coaches, Sarah and everybody were really encouraging.
I was just at dinner with my boyfriend and I was talking to this girl and she wanted photos of her dogs. Pretty soon, I sat down with her and she invested $1,700.
Sarah Petty: Was that your first Julie?
Hosanna Hale: No, actually that wasn’t my first Julie. I had done a session for a single mom and she had a printed portrait on her fridge and her landlord was interested. She got him connected with me and I photographed him and his adult daughter and her husband and two kids. They bought $14,325 worth of prints.
Sarah Petty: When you added up the total, were you expecting them to freak out?
Hosanna Hale: Yeah, I was actually. But, she ordered and it was a huge blessing. While that was happening, I was working for this other guy and I showed him a canvas I had with me. He wanted one of his dog. So, I did photos for him and his dog, and that was another $6,019 sale.
Sarah Petty: Oh my goodness. So $14,000, then $6,000, then $1,700. I’m so proud of you. I know your grandfather is just smiling down on the cool things you’re doing. Thank you for sharing your story.
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