Today we’d like to introduce you to Hrafna Morningstar.
Hi Hrafna, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My entire life, I was taught that I had to focus on my career early. I was taught that the only way to make it in this world was to play the corporate game. I was told that I had to go to church every Sunday, attend a top school, become a doctor or a lawyer, settle down with a nice blue-collar man and raise a family. I was taught that unless I did these things that I would never make it in this world.
Now, as a 28 years old pagan woman, who is married to another woman, who has never finished a college degree, I have found that the game we are told to play is what is actually holding us back.
I graduated from school at the age of 15, had scholarships to attend various college programs and had dreams of attending school in pursuit of a music degree. That dream was taken from me when my drug-riddled family decided that working 3 jobs at 17 to pay their rent, that I could not possibly afford without dedicating all of myself to various retail jobs, was more important than that. Despite what I had always been told that I had to do, I gave all of that up at a young age and honestly, I thought that I would never recover. I gave up.
After coming out to my parents when I met my at the time girlfriend, they kicked me out of the house with nowhere to go. My girlfriend and I packed up everything and moved across the country to California, where we were married later that year. We have been together going on 10 years now. I absolutely could not do what I do today without the patience, support and assistance of my amazing wife.
After my wife and I were married in 2013, I spent the better part of the next 6 years taking any jobs that I could find. My wife is disabled so naturally, I took it upon myself to take care of her while she could not work. While I have never filed this as an issue, as I am more than happy to be the sole provider for our small family, that didn’t leave much time for dream chasing.
It was during our few years in Las Vegas that I discovered my passion for photography. I didn’t put as much work into my social media presence then as I should have, but it gave me time to really study and invest in my passion as I fell more and more in love with being behind a camera. The smiles and joy it brought to myself and my clients made me feel like I had finally found my purpose.
Now, close to 6 years after finding my calling, I am pushing with everything I have to turn my passion into a sustainable way to take care of my family while not sacrificing all of my time and happiness to corporate jobs that don’t care about me or my desires.
This year, I quit the highest-paying job that I have ever landed, which was one of many management positions I have held, to become a full-time photographer to the public. This is now the start of the next leg of my journey and I am very excited to see where the road will lead.
It is frightening to go against everything you’ve been taught your whole life. To follow the beat of your own drum. To quit playing the game. But I believe that a life is not a life lived unless we live it with passion, curiosity, and independence. The corporate environment does not nurture any of these feelings for me, and I know I’m not the only one. I hope that someday, my story might inspire someone going through the same vicious cycle that I have been in for most of my life.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I have faced many obstacles in my life. Coming out as pansexual to a heavily Baptist family was not a fun experience. I lost my home, my friends and my family but gained new ones along the way. I wouldn’t trade it back for the world. My wife has been my emotional support through many of the ups and downs through life. She has been there for me in an unshakable way, even when my own family hasn’t been. She has shown me what true love is and has blessed me with all of the family I will ever need.
I have also known what it is like to not have a real home. In fact, I’ve felt that way for most of my life. My early years brought me massive amounts of trauma due to the fact that my family was torn apart and racked with drug use. I have spent sporadic years in and out of therapy due to experiences that I have had during my childhood, as well as all of the ways into adulthood. My early experiences have left a scar on me that is hard to close, but it has also opened up the door for healing, mental wellness, and advocacy.
When it comes to my photography practice, the hardest part has been working to be seen by others. These days, there are photographers everywhere what with the latest cameras and software being available on nearly everyone’s phones. But my passion runs deeper than that, and sometimes social media isn’t always your best friend.
It seems like on some days, regardless of how much work I put into a shoot, no one sees it. It can be disheartening to spend days and large amounts of money on shoots only to receive two likes on Facebook. But that is what has tested my conviction. I cannot see myself doing anything else with my life and I have big dreams for my craft. If you let things like that stop you, you’ll never reach your true potential.
The grind is a struggle for anyone starting their own business, mine is no different. But I see obstacles as opportunities, not roadblocks. All in all, my life has not been an easy one, but then again, who’s life is? I try not to focus on the negatives in my life and in my business and continue to push forward with a positive attitude and ample amounts of drive and hope.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My personal style of photography leans more toward the darker aesthetic. I’ve always found beauty in things that people usually turn their nose up at or are afraid of. I like to let others see the world through my eyes. How I see the world is much different than a lot of people I have come into contact with, and I love sharing my world with others.
I also focus on contemporary styles as well. When offering services to the public, I am comfortable shooting and editing in a wide variety of styles that suit everyone’s needs. I always say this because a lot of people don’t want that style for their photos so as not to come across like a one-trick pony. My favorite shoots to do are location portraits and fantasy. Although, I do have a soft spot for animal and pet photography as well.
I have always loved animals and have many pets at home a lot of folks would consider unconventional. I occasionally allow people to set up shoots with me where they can interact with my tarantulas and snakes for the photos. With safety measures for both the people and animals, of course.
I also enjoy doing promotional shoots for small businesses. I am happy to help others in way that I can help achieve their goals. I always get a big smile whenever a private business owner reaches out for a booking. I think those are some of my favorites.
Another passion of mine is Boudoir photography. I absolutely love helping empower other people to feel confident and sexy. As someone who has struggled with their self-image for most of their life, I am extremely drawn to these types of projects. To see someone who was shy and timid minutes before the shoot get a big grin on their face when they see how beautiful they look in the photos is absolutely priceless to me.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Do not compare yourself to others. That is the biggest mistake I think people can make. To see someone with less experience than you getting hundreds of thousands of likes on their photos when you are struggling just to be seen is extremely discouraging. But that’s where you find your passions. If what your doing is meant for you, if you really love your work, all of that will come with time, practice and planning.
Nothing worth achieving is easy, and it never will be. But looking around and focusing on all of the people ahead of you will only keep you behind them. You have to find ways of doing things that work for you. Don’t worry about everyone else and what they’re doing, stay focused on your own path.
Pricing:
- $100 an hour for freelance
- $150 – $300 for various packages regardless of subject
- $200-$400 for event photography
- $400-$1000 for wedding photography
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hrafnamorningstar.wixsite.com/photography
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hrafna_morningstar/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hrafnamorningstarphotography
- Other: TikTok: @hrafna_morningstar
Image Credits
Hrafna Morningstar
