Meet Ariel Hester | Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ariel Hester and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ariel, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Telling a story through photos has always been something that both inspired and excited me. It’s interesting because when I was younger working in the arts was seen as risky, irresponsible, and a pathway straight to being a “starving artist”. But the fact of the matter is: My whole life has been about taking risks. It was a risk to marry the man I loved, it was a risk to bring a child into this world, it was a risk to start a business… So much of what I have and am doing now is because of the risks I’ve taken. I’ve learned that in order to succeed in entrepreneurship, and in order to truly live life to it’s fullest, you have to be willing to take risks.

Living in and exploring Atlanta – a city full of creatives that make more than enough to eat and live in abundance – and just making the decision that I was going to do this and be successful, I started realizing that working in the arts wasn’t a burden, it was a gift. There was unlimited potential. I could create as much as I wanted. Connect with as many clients as I wanted. Essentially, I could make as much money as I wanted. I wasn’t limited by hours or salaries. And the sense of fulfillment I got from what I made was well worth the risks. Seeing someone make my picture into their profile picture, having clients travel to me from out of state, having clients hire me over and over again because they love working with me that much, seeing my work getting so much better each year, business growing each year – it’s such an amazing feeling.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I actually started my business with my husband shortly after we got married. It was scary, and it was a huge risk, but I’m so proud of what we have built together. Photography started off as a hobby for me. I worked on the yearbook committee for most of middle and high school. After I became an adult and got married, my husband pushed me to – as cheesy as it may sound – chase my dreams.

I started off slow. I photographed everything and anything I was able to – church events, birthday parties… my husband and I even followed a Blue Apron truck around downtown Atlanta once, for a gig to gain experience. I invested a lot of time and money into education – online courses, workshops, hours and hours of shadowing other photographers and trying to learn as much as I could. I had to learn not just how to be a photographer, but also how to run a successful photography business.

It was a lot. A lot of time and energy, and a lot of investment in myself, my equipment, and my work. But with every successful photoshoot, it was worth it. I wanted to build a business I could be proud of. I wanted my husband to be proud of me, my children, and my family.

It wasn’t until I started doing newborn photography in the hospital that I realized what my WHY was. Why I love what I do and why it’s important. I realized that photography for me wasn’t just about taking pictures or selling packages, it was how I connected with people, with my community. I learned that one of the greatest feelings in the world is showing someone how strong and beautiful and capable they are through the photos I could take for them. Watching someone see themself in a new light is amazing. Getting your picture taken is empowering, it’s a confidence and endorphin booster. I love being able to give that to people.

When I work with my clients I’m not just seeing them once and never seeing them again. I tell my clients “I want to be your FULL family photographer” – I want to capture the important moments for your family. Pregnancy, birth, milestones, birthdays, regular family portraits. I want to show them that all of those moments are beautiful and wonderful and worth cherishing. So they can look back and see how strong they were, how happy they were, how small their babies were. I always say “Moments quickly become memories” and my goal is to help hold onto and cherish those memories long after the moment is over.

I do my best to create an experience for my clients. I love talking to and getting to know my clients, making them laugh, and trying to make sure they genuinely have fun while they’re working with me! It can be a little nerve-racking to get your pictures taken – especially with a stranger – but I try my best to keep things light and fun and comfortable! I love what I do and I want that to show in both my finished products/images, and in the moment while I’m working with my clients.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’ve explored so much of Atlanta and the surrounding cities since I moved here in 2011, but I’m constantly finding new places to visit still! Some of my favorites IN the city are the beltline at Ponce City Market, this amazing taco booth at Chattahoochee Food Works, and Atlantic Station (there’s an ice skating rink there in the winter and a Kilwins open year round AND a California Pizza Kitchen)! In the Gwinnett area, I love going to the Forum in Peachtree Corners, The Mall of Georgia, and a number of beautiful parks like McDaniel Farm park and Tribble Mill Park. I’ve recently been exploring the South side of Atlanta and have fallen in love with The Avenue in Peachtree City, the Trilith Area in Fayetteville, and there is sooo much to do on Bullsboro Drive in Newnan! The Starlite Drive-in is also a MUST VISIT in Atlanta!

Food is a BIG one for me and I could go on and on about all of the amazing restaurants I’ve visited in and around Atlanta, but I’ll just share a few favorites that I love taking out of town friends and family to: The Mad Italian in Chamblee, Escovitchez in Snellville, Big Daves has some of the best philly cheesesteaks in Atlanta, CT Cantina & Taqueria in Fayetteville, and Nancy’s Chicago Pizza has a few locations but as a Chicago-girl it’s a favorite of mine as well!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My shoutout is dedicated to my husband! Darrell Hester of the Song Theory brand, and my life and business partner. My husband has believed in me and this dream since the beginning. His support, his bold faith, and his love for me continue to push me forward, to lift me and this business up. It’s so amazing as an entrepreneur to have a strong support system, and my God, my husband, and my daughter are my absolute biggest supporters.

Website: www.phoenixproductionsatl.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/phoenixproductionsatl

Facebook: www.facebook.com/phoenixproductionsatl

Other: TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@phoenixphotographyatl Google: https://goo.gl/maps/TpSVnVgKb1T5sRxE9