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Meet Kaleigh Hicks of Hicks Pics Photography in Highlands Ranch (South Denver)

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaleigh Hicks.

Kaleigh, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started out doing photography in high school because my high school offered digital and film photo classes. Film was a blast from the past but I loved the options you had and continue to have with digital photography. After high school photography was a hobby that just kind of sat on the back burner until two years after high school when I could afford more than a point and shoot camera. I started out just doing friends and family because I loved it as a hobby but knew I could make some cash on the side doing it. After about a year of doing that, I realized I could do this as a business because it would be less like work since I truly enjoyed it. I started researching how to get a business name, how to get started, how to legally run a business and knew that it wasn’t going to be an easy task. In all honestly it was a little intimidating BUT I knew it would be worth it because I truly enjoy capturing memories for people. It takes a lot of hard work, continuous research/keeping up with the ever-changing technological advances, and most of all, it takes determination. You can’t let little bumps in the road slow you down. I’m constantly meeting new people, handing out business cards, and spreading my business by word of mouth because I truly believe that is one of the best ways to get clients. I used to be pretty introverted around new people and being so bold as to ask if they need/want pictures but I realized that it really helps when people can get to know who they are working with. Coffee dates, editing at all hours, phone calls and working hard has gotten me many clients over the last couple years.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. There is a lot I didn’t know or think about that goes into running a business. I’m still learning and also have a lot to learn. Every day something new is a new learning experience for me whether it’s learning from a mistake, gaining deeper knowledge on something I already know or finding a whole new way to do something. One of the biggest struggles was honestly within myself; having to get outside of my comfort zone and believe in myself because sometimes it can be discouraging if your business isn’t going exactly how you imagined. Once I started believing in myself and learning to overcome challenges, doors started opening more and more. Marketing has been a big struggle because it seems like every day there is a change to how you should market, how you should reach your ideal clients, how to be seen in a saturated area, etc. So, adapting to the marketing changes is a project in its own in running a business. Another challenge is finding your niche. When I started out, I was doing anything and everything for photography; flowers, landscapes, animals, engagements, families, maternity, newborns, weddings, boudoir, etc. Finding out if all or only a select few aspects of photography is a challenge because sometimes, you’re turning down sessions/events because it’s not truly what you want to “specialize” in and turning jobs down can be tough at first but ultimately, I got into doing photography as a business to do what I enjoy most so if it doesn’t thrill me I will always give people recommendations for photographers who can best help them!

Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I’m a portrait photographer based out of Highlands Ranch. I specialize in boudoir, birth, maternity, families, cake smashes (one-year-old photos), outdoor headshots and elopements. For the boudoir portion of my business, I think what sets me apart is I will come over and help you pick out outfits or do a FaceTime/Zoom/Skype call to help you pick out outfits and answer any questions so each woman goes into her session very comfortable and confident. I also will pose you from your head to your toes so you don’t have to be a model by any means, I will coach you through the entire session. I also offer professional hair & makeup as part of the session fees so you can come in and get pampered before your session even begins! Once the session is over I set up a meeting with each woman 3-5 days later to go over their photos for them to purchase prints, albums, canvases, etc.

As for birth photography, I go on call for you from 35 weeks until delivery and am ready to go any point to be there to photograph your journey of becoming a first-time mom or a sixth-time mom. Every labor story/journey is so different but being a part of welcoming a new life into this world is so precious and I’m honored to be there for so many little lives being brought into the world. Capturing first feeding, first snuggles, first time meeting dad, grandma, grandpa, aunts & uncles, and siblings is a wonderful feeling. Witnessing how much a little baby is loved is truly enamoring.

With maternity sessions, I like to offer my “client closet” for moms who don’t have anything or want something a little more fancy to wear for their photos. I have a few dresses in now but ideally would like to have 15-20 gowns for women to choose from for their session. I will be offering these gowns in all sizes, never a one size fits all.
For families, I try to do a mix between posed and lifestyle. I like to have a mix because posed photos, personally, are always nice but then, I like capturing families laughing, making silly faces, tickling each other, etc because capturing personality in your photos makes them even more valuable and cherishes each moment in life.
Cake smashes I have a wonderful baker who can make all kinds of themed cakes special to each session for parents to celebrate their sweet babies turning one year old!

Elopements are wonderful because I get to know the couple better and spend more one on one time with them and truly make the whole time set aside about them and their “I dos.” Weddings are absolutely beautiful but elopements are less stressful in my opinion and are so intimate. I feel I develop a better bond between the couple and myself with elopements.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I don’t know that I have had much of either in my business. I attribute good and bad into my business based off of what I do and the choices I make. I personally can tell if I’m having a rough week that it can transfer into my business and my work ethic but on the flip side the harder I work and concentrate of the process the better the outcome. I also believe it is a mindset, If you always think you’re going to fail or it won’t work out then you have a higher chance of that truly happening but if you are positive and you work hard, in the end, there will be more positives than negatives. Every business will have good days, bad days and in between days but I believe it’s up to you to make your own “luck.”

Pricing:

  • Boudoir is $475 – $1200 without additional add ons
  • Birth is $1000 – $2600
  • Maternity is $180- $320
  • Families are $180 – $400
  • Head Shots are $140 – $250
  • Cake Smashes are $230
  • Elopements are $600 – $1100

Contact Info:


Image Credit:
My headshot (horizontal image) was taken by Alexis Tepp Sorenson https://www.facebook.com/alexistepp.photography/?ref=br_rs

The BTS shots (IMG-5199, IMG-5261, IMG-5263) https://www.facebook.com/dannidoesphotography/

Getting in touch: VoyageDenver is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.

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