We recently had the chance to connect with Heather Hillhouse and have shared our conversation below.
Heather, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
I have really enjoyed giving more time to doing small art projects that bring me joy. I like mixing collage with drawing. I pull a lot of my collage materials from old comic books. I love it.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Heather Hillhouse, and I own and operate House on a Hill Photography, an Event, Corporate, and Portrait photography business in Nashville, TN. I adore being an event photographer and observing humanity with my camera. I love never knowing exactly what will happen when I enter various rooms. I have been shooting events here in Nashville for the last 12 years and it has made me fall in love with so many different topics and people.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Oh my word, I have been wrestling hard with this question over the last few years.
I was an unapologetic artist. I did art for the sake of the pure joy that it brought me, and those that I would share it with.
I would ask to work at concerts just to be around the artists and the music. I would volunteer at my local rock radio station just to support them and the artists that they played. Just giving my time to the things I loved and felt drawn to.
I followed after the things I KNEW I loved, and I didn’t let anyone stop me.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would tell young sweet Heather that I love her jelly shoes and her crimped hair, and I would love to sit and watch Duck Tales or Saved by the Bell with her.
Then, I would tell her that there will be so many voices trying to tell her what the “right” thing is to do, and she doesn’t have to listen to any of them. I would tell her to listen to the people that feel kind, and safe, and good. To listen to her God given impulses and direction instead of all the “shoulds.”
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
I think they may say: my peace, my creative expression, coffee, and treating others with love and empathy.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: If immortality were real, what would you build?
I have been asking myself more future driven questions lately, and this one just sparks so many thoughts and emotions. The thought of having immortality and the option of photographing human history on this earth from now on? That may be the single most exciting thought I have ever had. Observing is just my whole world. I would build a business that was based less on making money and more on building relationships. Relationships that would last and lead to new opportunities to photograph new things and use my photographs to help people better love each other and respect each other.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.houseonahillphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/houseonahillphotography/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-hillhouse-07757b161/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/house-on-a-hill-photography-nashville
Image Credits
Heather Hillhouse | House on a Hill Photography
