Today we’d like to introduce you to Hannah Forsberg.
Hi Hannah, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’m a fine art wedding and lifestyle photographer based in Atlanta. I always chuckle a little bit when people ask how I got started because becoming a photographer was truly an accident. Growing up, I loved using my hands and knew early on that I wanted to be creative; I just wasn’t entirely sure how. I tried many mediums, from illustrating, painting, and music, to even sculpting, but it wasn’t until someone said “my camera takes pictures in the dark” that I really discovered what photography really was.
After buying a camera as a hobby, I eventually found myself photographing my first wedding at 16 after a recently-engaged friend said that they couldn’t afford a photographer. I had no idea what I was doing, but it was from that day on that I fell in love with the artistry and pace of it all and realized that photography could truly become a career if I wanted it badly enough. From there, I went to study Marketing and graduated with my BBA at the top of my class; going to business school has served me in my entrepreneurial journey so well!
What drives my approach and my artistic voice now has a lot to do with my past. I was born to two people that I’ve never met in China. I had no name, no birthdate, and no information about who I was. The police found me as a newborn on a bench where they brought me to an orphanage. By God’s grace, I was placed in a loving home here in America and I’m so thankful for that part of my story.
That being said though, I have grown up not knowing whose smile I share or whose laugh I have, and have experienced some of life’s greatest milestones and happiest moments without having my biological family being a part of it. I have had many moments of wishing for a glimmer of that part of my story, a photograph of where I came from, to better understand my past. It’s a surreal feeling and a longing that has found its way back each year and has given me a sensitivity for the gravity and weight that heritage holds, and the gift that photography truly is.
Now, I work full time with my husband Corey, and we serve clients in destinations all over the country! We are so grateful to be trusted to be invited into other’s lives and for the way we see the world.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I think that anyone who starts a business will always encounter hurdles and struggles – without rain, there are no flowers, as they say!
What I’ve noticed time and time again is that in order to grow, I must learn to be comfortable with being uncomfortable and that what got me “here”, will not get me “there”.
It is a continuous lesson of learning, unlearning, and giving yourself grace, and realizing that the same lesson will keep presenting itself until you make the decision to honor your own intuition and boundaries.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
A common theme that we carry throughout all of our work is a sensitivity to the gravity and depth of the day and those in it, telling a story with sentiment and nuance. Our work is characterized by rich colors, joy, and movement. I always have a hard time describing my work, but others have said it’s modern yet classic and intimate, with the occasional trace of an editorial feel.
One of my superpowers is my overall demeanor throughout a wedding day; I’m known for being able to create an atmosphere that is calm and unhurried, which gives our clients the freedom they need to be fully present.
That being said, while we are primarily known for our wedding work, we also regularly photograph families and corporate/branding projects and love it so much! The project we’re most proud of is probably our most recent partnership with celebrity interior designer Mikel Welch and Pottery Barn for their autumn and Christmas campaign. It’s been fun to lean into that aspect of commercial work; it’s a completely different approach to photography and challenges us in the best way to think as a marketer first and artist second.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
We recently launched our latest endeavor, STUDIO MYSA! Conveniently located only 30-minutes northwest of Atlanta, Georgia, Studio Mysa {pronounced “muse • sa”} is a fully-furnished, natural-light photography studio with two backdrop scenes, equipping creatives with a canvas for inspiration and artistry to unfold. It’s a gorgeous space with various decor and seating options and is available to rent hourly on Mon-Fri and on weekends for creative projects. It’s been used for headshots, boudoir, family sessions, and so much more – the studio is in Kennesaw, Georgia, and we would love to see you!
Check it out by visiting www.studiomysa.co.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.hannahforsberg.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannah.forsberg/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hannahforsbergphotography
- Other: STUDIO: https://www.studiomysa.co/
FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY: https://phoeberandallphoto.com/families
CORPORATE & BRANDING COMMISSIONS: https://www.hannahforsberg.com/corporate
