Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristen Coleman.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Kristen. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’ve always had a hand in the arts somehow. As a kid, you couldn’t get me to stop doodling, painting, or playing with cameras. Growing up, I never thought those interests and passions could be considered “job material” but I wanted to do something creative. I ended up working in marketing and event planning for several years and a couple of different companies. It ranged from corporate advertising work with some property management involved to wedding and party planning. While I loved getting to plan and be involved with a creative business field, it never fully clicked. I often wanted to do more or would get bored with work pretty easily. After a few years of some grueling corporate work, I decided to take a step back and do what I truly loved, even if I had no idea what that meant. I went into teaching art classes at a local paint and sip company, where I then fell back into doing marketing and event planning for a while.
It wasn’t until I had gotten married and my husband bought me my first DSLR that my passion for photography really let itself shine. I hadn’t picked one up in years, and suddenly I couldn’t put it down. I had even taken it to my best friend’s wedding, where I took some of my first favorite portrait photos even while doing matron of honor duties. It inspired me to keep looking at the details that I thought were most beautiful. Shortly afterwards, I decided to go back to school and pursue a fine arts degree in photography. I struggled with wanting to take portraits and images of happy moments and what it meant to do fine art. After my final year culminated in a collective art show with several other local Houston artists, I felt I had finally started to get a grasp of who I really wanted to be and how I wanted photography to play a part in my life. It leaked into everything, from projects about my past, to currently taking portrait and lifestyle photoshoots, to my future son about to be born.
Along the way, I had been taking photos for friends and family, engagement shoots, portrait sessions, etc., but I didn’t give that aspect of my life the attention it deserved. Once my son was born, I buckled down and wanted to make something of my passion. I wanted to be able to be proud to tell my son when he’s older that you can do anything and you can put your heart into your work. And at the end of the day, if you’re doing something you love, it might not feel like work at all. That’s when Honey & Hive Photo + Art was born. I took everything I loved about photography and everything I wanted for myself and my family and put it into business. I believe that everyone should have access to great photos and capturing their own special moments to freeze in time. I also believe that photography can be more than portraiture, which is why I included the + Art in the name. I’ve been photographing and painting throughout this journey and it feels only right to share that with others. I can’t wait to see how much more of this story evolves and have been very excited to put it all into action.
Has it been a smooth road?
Overall I’ve been fortunate enough that the road so far has really only had internal struggles. Things that I’m overthinking overanalyzing, etc. I’ve faced some challenges with confidence. In a world where the market is definitely saturated, am I good enough to stand out? How are the services I’m providing a good fit for everyone I want to reach? Am I really good enough to take this as far as I want to go? And the answers to all of that are easy. I stand out because I put my love into my work. This isn’t just taking photos for me, I really want to connect with my clients and provide for them in cost, service, and product, what I would want if it were me.
I absolutely am good enough to keep pushing the boundaries and stick with evolving this business more, even if I need a little reminder from my husband every now and then. It’s easy to get caught up in what other people are doing, but I’ve found that putting my all into it, even with the ups and downs, makes it so worth it and such a joy to be a part of. In the words of Ron Swanson “Don’t half a** two things, whole a** one thing.” So instead of dividing myself with what I think others may be doing or thinking and the internal struggles, I’m whole a**ing this one thing and improving everyday.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Honey & Hive Photo + Art story. Tell us more about the business.
I’m most known for family and child photography, but I have a large range. I really enjoy working with couples, whether engaged, married, or just for fun, because there’s a certain fun that they inherently have and the willingness to go out of the box. Pet portraiture is also a favorite of mine because I can’t get enough of fur babies even if they aren’t mine. From maternity, headshots, event photography, smash cakes, to even real estate photography, I’m happy to get out and shoot, but portraiture and lifestyle photography are my main pride and joys. Overall I’m most proud of my company’s flexibility. The basis of a lot of my company is centralized on my belief that everyone should have access to capturing special moments, so I tend to be flexible on scheduling and budget to work with my client’s needs. I want to provide the experience that I would want to have if I were the one making the booking, so I feel that it’s only fair that my clients experience that comfort and flexibility my company has to offer. I’m so proud that Honey & Hive Photo + Art developed in a place of love and care and continues to evolve with those principles at the center.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
This industry is very saturated right now, and I see that happening a lot more over the next few years. There are big trends in DIY and Youtubing how to do photo sessions for yourself, and with the affordability of DSLRs, most people can semi get what they’re looking for. I think that you can’t DIY and recreate the eye and care a professional photographer has, so I see there still being a need and value to this industry. I’ve seen a big trend in teaching. I myself teach for outreach programming for a local art gallery aimed at the idea that photography should be accessible and part of education systems. The need for self-expression through the lens is still prevalent and will be moving forward, so I see this industry having a trend in more education-based practices. Whether it’s photographers teaching other photographers, as we’re already seeing with webinars these days, or photographers teaching the average person on the street, there will definitely be a trend in sharing more of this industry.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 716-418-0163
- Email: honeyandhivehouston@gmail.com
- Instagram: @honeyandhivehouston
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/honeyandhivehouston/
Image Credit:
All images are taken by Kristen Coleman at Honey & Hive Photo + Art
Suggest a story: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
