Reece Haney shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Reece, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
For my business in general, I think the amount of work is misunderstood. Especially in an oversaturated market.
I do the booking, emailing, marketing, editing, posting on socials (Insta, Facebook, TikTok), trying to find trends, bookkeeping, updating my website, Google Business page/guides/forms/contracts/questionnaires/etc., and looking for ways to help my visibility so I can keep growing.
To some, this may seem like nothing. Just another regular day at work. What is somewhat misunderstood for me specifically is that I don’t allow my work to distract me too much during the week.
Why you may ask?
I’m a mom first. I stay at home. I homeschool.
I save my work for when I have a break on the weekend. I also only book shoots on the weekends. So, all of that work I have to try to fit into my few hours I get to sit and focus. Truthfully, a lot of that work doesn’t get done. I’m left leaving my business into the hands of God and praying that He will send clients my way that truly align with my business.
Keeping up with social media is another ball game. I wish I could outsource a social media manager, but that’s more time and money I would need to be able to sustain hiring someone.
I struggle with it at times. I want to see growth in my bookings and follower counts.
Then, I look at my kids’ tiny hands that just keep growing. I look at their eyes, full of life and vigor. I see that nothing else matters but them. My attention needs to be theirs until I have the time and space to go all in.
I know some photographers, who are also mothers, who try to do it all, and they do it well! I realized I was not. I had to reevaluate and continue to trust that God would provide for my business.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Reece and I run and own Reece Haney Photography. I am a photographer of the in-between and largely expound upon the stories of my clients. My brand is built upon the image and motifs of whimsy, elegance, authenticity, and storytelling.
Being a photographer of the “In-Between” refers to shooting between the scale of cinematic/storytelling and documentary. It also refers to moments. Those in-between moments that create images you can feel. Moments that are fleeting yet speak so much to the story of those in the photo.
I am taking a more passive approach to my business currently, but it still doesn’t stop me from taking the time to reframe and refine my business as best as I can. It’s alot to juggle, but God has provided and will continue to provide for me.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
Becoming a Mother will reveal the innermost faults of yourself. It can be so painful, yet so rewarding. Motherhood has the ability to physically, mentally, and emotionally wreck you to your core to the point that you aren’t sure if you were made to be one.
Becoming a Mother created a shift in my comprehension of God even more. Raising these innocent, yet human children teaches me that I NEED a Savior. The countless times that they mess up and how I must discipline and teach them gives me the tiniest look into how gracious and merciful He is to me. I mess up all the time, yet He still loves and is merciful towards me. How I view my children doesn’t compare to how God views me. He loves me MORE than I can imagine. He loves YOU more than you can imagine.
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.
–Ephesians 2:4-5
In terms of photography, I am able to relate to each clients story in small or large ways. I know how important the start of a new family is, how precious it is to see the milestones of your children as they grow, how a couple chooses each other to love ’til death do them part, and the lives people have built for themselves. Each story is precious. Each person is so deeply loved by God. I hope they see how He sees them through the simple images that I create.
As a Mom, I come into each session with zero expectations. I know it can be a lot of pressure for some families, but my goal isn’t to stress parents or children out, it is to form a new memory. I want to explore and play. Let’s get messy or let’s do your favorite family activity. These images are meant to encapsulate your current season in life. When you look back at the images to that chapter in their book, I hope my clients see the love, the laughter, the joy, the passion, and the fleeting in-between moments.
What’s something you changed your mind about after failing hard?
There are too many instances of failure (both big and small) to count. Usually I fail because I try to gain control of the circumstances and push my own agenda. When I do not allow God to be embedded in every aspect of my life, my work, my choices, and my heart, my strength alone cannot carry me. I will fail when I try to do things my way.
I realized that I cannot do life, let alone my job, alone. It is through Him, and only Him, that I have what I have. All the glory goes to Him. He has blessed me with this passion and talent. When I allow my control to take a step back, He begins to work. He sends me clients at the right time. He gives me opportunities and friends that I needed. He gives me jobs that are able to provide for my family.
Now that I have taken a bit of a step back, I must trust Him even more to help me. I trust that He will provide in the right timing. He always has.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
Social Media opens the door, as most of us know, to portraying only the good, the manicured, the pretend, and the things we want people to see.
We were never made to always be online.
I only want people to book me, work with me, support me, and befriend me because they like me. Not because they like some picturesque idea of me. I am careful with what I share and post about myself personally, but I want to connect and build relationships, true relationships. That’s is where I find true friendships and clients. Am I perfect? No. Do I do my best to be authentic and real? Yes.
I would find it too hard to live life keeping up with a facade for people who I may never talk to.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
My faith.
The Lord could take it all away in an instant. Just like Job (look up his story, talk about faith).
There have been times where I felt like all was lost, but I knew better.
Matthew 10:29-31 says,
“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
These are the words of Jesus Himself. While sin is still very present in the world, so bad things will and do happen, Jesus has proven Himself to me too many times for me to think I would be left to dust if my possessions, my name, and my roll were stripped from me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.reecehaneyphotograpy.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reecehaneyphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reecehaneyphotography
Image Credits
Jessi Marie Photography
