Feature photo by Hana Kay
The human element — relationships, personalities and connections — is and will always be the most important part of creating meaningful, authentic photos that are treasured and cherished. It’s also a hugely integral part of building a successful photography business. This was one of photographer Hana Kay’s biggest takeaways from her mentoring session with superstar Caroline Tran.
“It’s an important lesson to all of us that in addition to creating a successful business, it’s just as important to build relationships, invest in people, and leave footprints of positive impact wherever we go,” says Hana.
We couldn’t say it better. And this is why mentorship is so important. It’s the human element coming in at a point where the mentee needs something that only a photographer who’s been through it can offer. We’re thrilled that Caroline and Hana allowed us a peek into their mentoring session, which includes some truly unique “ah-ha” moments.
Click: Tell us a little about your mentorship session. What was the meeting and experience like?
Hana: I’ve been following Caroline since 2014, so getting to meet her in person for this mentorship session was a little like meeting a celebrity. Since we’re both local to Los Angeles, we were fortunate enough to meet in person at a cute restaurant in Pasadena. It was hard for me to keep my giddiness in check because I was definitely starstruck. Despite how nervous I was, Caroline is such a personable person that our session ended up feeling like catching up with an old friend.
Click: What was the main topic of your session?
Hana: As a budding photographer, I wanted to hear Caroline’s own journey and advice for someone who wants to follow in her footsteps. She shared insights on how to build a business personalized to your goals, values, and needs, and not necessarily following trends that are popular in the moment.
Click: Can you share a few of the most valuable takeaways from your mentoring session?
Hana: One of the biggest takeaways for me was that to run a successful photography business you need both good photography skills AND good business skills. You can’t survive on taking pretty pictures alone.
Caroline also stressed the importance of following my own path without feeling pressured to copy what the other 99 percent of successful photographers are doing. She said to do what works for me, my style, and my business.
Lastly, we talked about how you can’t grow your business by trying to save money. To grow your business, you must invest in it.
Click: Did you have any “Ah-ha” moments? If so, can you tell us about them?
Hana: I asked Caroline how she felt about adding the term “luxury” in Instagram bios. That segued into a discussion about what “luxury” photography really means. My “ah-ha moment” was that if you’re really providing clients a luxury experience and products, then your work should speak for itself without having to label yourself as luxury.
Another big realization for me came from just being able to talk to Caroline as a person. I realized that the magic behind her work and business isn’t just her amazing ability as a photographer, but her capacity to build relationships and connect with people in an authentic way. In the next few years as AI enhances (and maybe even replaces) some of the work that we do as photographers, the most important keystone in any photographer’s business will remain the human element of their relationships with their clients.
“…the most important keystone in any photographer’s business will remain the human element of their relationships with their clients.”
— Hana Kay
Click: What one piece of advice did Caroline give you that you’re going to implement immediately?
Hana: I asked Caroline what advice she had for me as I figure out what my workflow, pricing structure, and tools should look like. Caroline shared that she’s always testing and measuring the effects of changes in her own business. She said that is the only way to continue growing, adapting, and making sure your business is working. This makes total sense to me and I’m starting immediately.
Click: How do you think this mentorship will help you moving forward?
Hana: Caroline has convinced me I have what it takes to succeed. I feel inspired to really build a business model that is in line with my values, my style, and my vision.
Click: Why did you want to do a mentoring session as opposed to taking a class or another way of learning?
Hana: Coincidentally, I’m also taking a class by Caroline, but the quality one-on-one time from a mentorship session provided me with personalized guidance that I can’t get from reading course materials. The relationship building from a mentorship session is just as — if not more — valuable when you’re growing as a photographer.
There is so much value in learning from the best of the best and carrying on that legacy of amazing work from before our times into the next generation.
Click: Anything else you’d like to tell our readers about your experience with Caroline?
Hana: It’s no surprise that the most successful photographers are also some of the most genuine, generous, and inspiring people — in addition to being amazing creators. It’s an important lesson to all of us that in addition to creating a successful business, it’s just as important to build relationships, invest in people, and leave footprints of positive impact wherever we go.
The Mentor
Caroline Tran is a Los Angeles wedding and lifestyle portrait photographer. She says that the most satisfying part of her work is the connections she makes with clients to create imagery that tells their stories in depth. You can find Caroline on Instagram @carolinetran.
The Mentee
Hana Kay is an up-and-coming newborn and family portrait photographer in Orange County. With a minimalist and natural approach, she aspires to capture authentic moments for families to enjoy for years to come. See her work on Instagram @hanakayphoto.
Hana Kay won a mentoring session with Caroline Tran through a collaborative project by Fujifilm and Click, which seeks to highlight the importance of mentorship in photography growth. See video clips from their session on our Instagram @click.magazine.
The importance of photography mentorship
See more of our mentorship project, created through a partnership with Fujifilm, here:
Spread inspiration like glitter: how to become a mentor to the next wave of artists
How a photography mentorship can completely change everything for your art
