Josh Hanna shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Josh, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
I think most people struggle with feeling like they have a purpose. I think the idea is difficult for most people to talk about out loud because it can come with a sense of uselessness. When we struggle finding purpose we also tend to struggle finding motivation because there’s no sense of urgency that we have a goal to work towards. However, I have found that when we talk about this out loud with others, we often find that it’s easy for other people to help us clearly see purpose and direction that’s right in front of us that we’re often blind to. It all comes down to fear…fear of saying things out loud that may make us feel “less than”, fear that we may confirm our own beliefs of uselessness, fear that others will not understand us…but when we decide to overcome that fear and open ourselves to being vulnerable with others, we will find common ground that will help us to build relationship and community..
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a photographer specializing in creating moody, cinematic photos for high school seniors. I love to create images with story and visual impact. My goal is to create photos for my seniors that are “larger-than-life” and help to see themselves in a way they haven’t seen themselves before.
I love to teach and I’m an educator who teaches photography across the country with a passion for helping others fully realize their unique voice and place in the industry.
I create senior and sports design templates in order to help other photographers increase their workflow and revenue.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
The closer my walk in faith has gotten with Jesus, the more I understand the unique voice God has given me. He has taught me that I have a unique vision and way at looking at photography…but more importantly, that I also have the peace and freedom to create naturally without the stress of trying to keep up with those around me. He has helped me to see that I am truly “fearfully and wonderfully made” and can shine His light, even through dark and moody imagery.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
When I realized that everyone is in pain. Understanding that pain is a part of life and that we don’t have to be ashamed of our pain has helped me create connections with other photographers and business owners who struggle with the same things I do. Living in a culture that strives for “social media perfection” has created a false reality that makes us afraid to share our pain, losses and failures. However, I’ve learned that by sharing these difficulties, it can actually be healing…not only for myself, but for others that are facing the same problems and setbacks. Community is greater than competition.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
The public version of me is the real me, just not the “full” me. I tend to keep my full self very closely guarded. It takes a lot of trust for me to open up and let someone else see me fully. Perhaps its from hurt in past friendships that has failed or just fear of rejection, but I protect the deeper parts of myself until someone has earned the trust of feeling vulnerable. So while I do not pretend to be someone I’m not in public, I do often have a “no crossing line” that keeps me from showing the entirety of my personality.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
He loved Jesus, loved his family, and truly wanted to see others succeed.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://JoshuaHannaPhotography.com
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/JHPhotoDesign
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/JHPhotoDesign
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jhphotodesign
Image Credits
Joshua Hanna Photography
