Rising Stars: Meet Hans Hollenbeck of DURANGO/DENVER

Today we’d like to introduce you to Hans Hollenbeck.

Hi Hans, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’m a Colorado guy, born and raised on the Western slope. (Ridgway, Montrose) I migrated to Durango to attend Fort Lewis College and continue to love and live in the area. I have always had an absolute compulsion to create original artwork and photography and to tell compelling stories. I started my business, Aelpha Collective, as a testament of these passions, and strive to produce the best portrait, real estate, boudoir and wedding content available. My novel, “Highpoint,” continues to inspire and bring deep ideas to readers, and I strive to strengthen my craft everyday, through poetry, short stories and in additional novels and novellas. I often do street photography in Denver, wedding and event photography at Red Rocks, and boudoir and portrait photography for clients all over Colorado. My daughter Triniti lives in Denver and I am grateful that she also has the drive to inspire people everyday through her words, imagination, dreams, and actions. We have an obligation as artists, writers, performers, musicians and leaders to pass our power to future generations, enabling imagination to live forever.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Challenges make us who we are, and there are lessons to be found everywhere, especially in adversity. When I was younger I had an insatiable hunger that I could not easily define as a passion for art, so often I found myself in toxic relationships, trouble with the law, and a dependency on alcohol. Hopelessly searching for the wrong things. Fortunately, I never allowed my wild youth drop to a standard that would forever impact my life, and I learned to meditate and focus on the universe that expands within us all, and it allowed me to better navigate the universe that remains outside of us and can often be so confusing and treacherous. I was a bar owner, so I ended up selling my business in search for a more gratifying life. Now I do writing and photography full time and see the most fascinating places and people with clear eyes and a fresh mind.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At the moment, I have fully immersed myself in photography. I love every aspect of it, but believe my portraits of people are the most personally gratifying. There are always pictures that become cliche,’ such as the face of El Capitan in Yosemite, or the mill near Lake City, and while I do recognize the power of these photographs, I am always trying to create something completely new and original, so I lean towards the photography of people, as the expressions and looks of every person you meet is endless in their uniqueness. Plus there is a vulnerability that people show when they get their picture taken, and that vulnerability and honesty often makes the most powerful images. The ways I crave the exploratory nature of photography and writing probably sets me apart from most, and the fact that I truly want to be set apart in the first place also helps.
I like to believe I’m a true Renaissance Man, and aim to help unveil the soul of humanity. I want to get people away from being obedient to the status quo, to think for themselves and to follow their own hearts. I hope to lead people to a place of joy, through poignant images and/or powerful sets of words.

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Imagination and fearlessness.

Pricing:

• $499 per hour for portraits/boudoir
• $499 per hour for Real Estate
• $699 per hour for Videography/Wedding Photography
• $20 for my book

Contact Info:

• Website: aelphacollective.com and hanshollenbeck.wordpress.com
• Instagram: @aelphacollective.co
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/aelphacollective
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aelpha-collective-2556682a0
• Youtube: @aelphacollective7470

Image Credits
All images property of Aelpha Collective.