Today we’d like to introduce you to Hunter Hart.
Hi Hunter, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always had some kind of artistic instrument in my hand, whether it was a pencil, a paintbrush, or a can of spray paint. I knew from an early age that I was meant to be an artist; I just didn’t know what form that would take. When I was young, I picked up a digital camera for the first time, my mom had one of those 3.5″ floppy disk cameras that only held eight photos. I’d constantly snap and delete, experimenting endlessly. That curiosity grew into a passion, and one camera led to another. Eventually, people started asking me to take their portraits, and that’s when I realized: my paintbrush had simply evolved into a camera. This was how I’d paint the world from now on.
I was in college at the time but decided to drop out when I realized it wasn’t accelerating the path I was already on. I knew what I wanted to do, and I was ready to chase it on my own terms. I was honored to be named Photographer of the Year in Starkville, Mississippi, three years in a row. But eventually, I hit a ceiling with business opportunities there and felt the need to expand my horizons.
I took a trip to South Africa during modeling season in the winter and poured everything I had into building my portfolio. That trip was pivotal, not only did it level up my career, but it’s also where I met my wife. When COVID hit, I found myself back in Starkville, but soon after, my wife and I made the move to Nashville in search of more opportunities. Looking back, it was the best decision we could have made.
Since then, I’ve had the privilege of working with outlets like the LA Times, The New York Times, Nike, People, and USA Today. I plan to photograph people for the rest of my life. It’s in my blood. You’ll rarely see me without a camera in hand.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There are plenty of struggles that come with working for yourself. Photography, in particular, can feel lonely, especially when you’re a one person operation. I spend countless hours alone at my computer editing, and without a strong structure or routine, things can feel unbalanced and chaotic. The nature of photography is unpredictable. There are weeks when I don’t have a single assignment, followed by stretches where I’m shooting four weddings from Thursday to Sunday or covering an event that runs until midnight. The lack of a consistent schedule can be tough. Another challenge is the financial uncertainty. You never really know when or where your next paycheck will come from. You have to trust in God, and trust that people will continue to connect with your work, because that’s what keeps everything moving in this line of work.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
According to a lot of the people who compliment my work, they often say I have a strong eye for composition, lighting, and direction, so I guess that’s what I’m known for. I’ve always dreamed of becoming a director of photography for short films or movies, so hopefully one day someone will take a chance on me based on those strengths. I would consider myself a documentary style portrait photographer.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
Honestly, I did most of the heavy lifting on my own. I grew up in a very small town where no guy would ever be seen with a camera, it wasn’t exactly considered the most masculine thing to do. I worked myself into the ground figuring everything out from scratch. The people who helped me most and who truly deserve credit are the ones who hired me. Their trust allowed me to keep going and grow. I owe everything to the clients who have supported me over the years. I’m truly blessed. My wife came in later and has been an incredible help with the business side of things, but when it comes to mentorship, I relied entirely on myself.
Pricing:
- $400/hr for documentation
- $650/hr portraits
- $4500 day rate
- $5750 average wedding
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hunterhartphoto.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hunterhartphoto
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/hunterhart1
- Other: https://www.twohartsretreats.com
