Why Photography? A messy founders story.

10 years?!?! It has been 10 years since I formally founded Hawa Images and Hawa LLC and I am reflecting a lot these days. I took the shakiest steps towards starting my business journey. A camera in one hand and a baby on my hip chasing two littles with no real clue what it meant to be an entrepreneur and too afraid to call myself that anyway I launched my first website, made my first post, and booked my first paying client. I was not confident or sure at all. But I did it. I took messy action. I am here to normalize doing it afraid because that is how I have seen success in my life. I think too often women wait for permission, timing or a specific season, more skills or knowledge, or the perfect plan. None of that will make you successful. You showing up, serving others joyfully, and being committed to your vision and growth will. Be brave enough to be a beginner.

We want to be a “professional” but often in that pursuit we erase the messy beginning and gritty growth parts of our story. I am committed to vulnerability as I become more of who God intends me to be as an entrepreneur. It has been and will continue to be messy but that journey is so worth it and I hope encourages you in your journey as well.

How it started:

I knew I loved creating pictures and sharing stories because it helped me create meaning from experiences that were changing me during the time I lived overseas. I especially was drawn to photography that moved people in compassion for people that they saw as different from themselves. During the most impactful four years of living on a small island in East Africa I became interested in photography and storytelling ethics. I took online photography courses and not having reliable electricity or internet all the time was my first lesson in the grit required to learn new things. My friends and neighbors there were gracious and loved helping me practice. On one of our trips home to Chicago we were sharing about the needs of the NGO Pamoja (means Togetherness in Swahili) where I worked as a teacher and after our presentation a older woman approached me and shared that she really struggled with fear of people from a different faith after the tragic events of 9-11 and that my photos helped her see all people as her “neighbors” and this moved her to have concern, compassion, and care for them- amazing and dear people that were friends to me but strangers to her. This was a profound moment for me. I realized the power of images in storytelling and expanding our compassion for others. I knew I wanted to be a part of crafting images that affirmed the beauty and humanity of all people.

I loved experimenting with photography but I also soon learned that creating images (or “taking pictures”- even that language is hard) can lead to exploitation and only telling the part of the story you want to tell. Creating images is both the art of sharing what IS and what you want to say about the subject. Photography lends itself towards exploitation and we as storytellers must approach this craft with humility and always be willing to learn.

 I soon realized I had very little to offer and much to learn. There was such joy in the friendships I found in East Africa- forged through differences and a decision to move towards one another in mutual respect and love. I did not photograph my friends until I until I was invited in.  Relationship OVER images became so important to me. To me visual peacemaking means spending time with people and really trying to see them.  We all want to be seen and heard.  And that seeing evokes in us common human emotions that deeply connect us all and compels us to share.  This is why I so desperately wanted to participate in sharing their stories through photography and began to study and practice.  I really believe the posture with which we engage people is more important than all the technical skills in the world.  As I was deeply moved with my friend’s stories, I wanted to photograph the mundane and the beautiful, the joy comingled with deep pain and suffering because it was a way to really see them and connect our lives as I searched for meaning in it all.  I was not “ready” to live there and learn to love in ways that cost me personally, to start over, to be stretched in the ways required of me, but that is exactly where God wanted me.   And photography became one way I found and continue to find purpose and peace even in the midst of chaos.

These friendships left me profoundly changed and impact how and why I tell visual stories today. Being curious & open to learning is central to my approach. Focusing on our common humanity & calling us to action is my passion. 

Images are powerful and can craft, reinforce, undo, or influence our thoughts and beliefs about others. Images have the potential to dissuade us from fear of the unknown and move us toward real love. Images have impact and the stories we tell can change the narrative- about others and ourselves (more on that soon- because stepping into confidence and the journey of self portraits and then moving into brand photography for others has been an amazing part of my recent journey).

I am passionate about visual storytelling and am thankful I took those first steps 10 years ago. I am a firmer believer that you do not need a full vision of where you are going, just know that starting messy will help you refine where you are going. There was something deep in me that wanted to grow and serve others through photography and over the past 10 years that vision has and continues to be refined.

Here is more of my story….