Rising Stars: Meet Mish Howrd

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mish Howrd. 

Mish, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Oh man. I think I can honestly say I have been a creative my whole life. Since I was a child, I was always compositing or creating something. I always knew I’d be a photographer, painter, author, or anything where I could express myself to the world. My photography journey started originally started when I was 17 when I was a lighting assistant for a family friend Margo. She gave me my first camera and changed my life! Life completely stopped after May of 2015 when my eldest daughter passed away from trisomy 13. I was a teen mom experiencing infant loss with no home of my own working in small, owned restaurants completely lost in life. There were many years I had no idea what I was going to do. Just working pointless jobs that fed me but not my soul. It was about 4-5 years before I picked up a camera again. And I haven’t put it down since. I get to tell love stories and freeze moments in time because I if anyone know what it’s like to miss a moment. Being a working creative has given me a sense of freedom and community and honestly, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. I have two healthy children and a blooming career a supportive husband and I couldn’t have done it without them it’s been a lot of hard, but dedication and determination will get you anywhere you want to be! Never give up 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Absolutely not. I think we can all agree it takes WORK. I think most of the struggles for me were mostly mental and emotional. A lot of self-work went into where I’m at. Digging deep and finding out what about ME was holding ME back. Finding balance with motherhood and starting a business. Discovering my voice and how I want to present my art was also a struggle. Finding individuality in this industry is a challenge on its own that we all relate to. 

Every day I try and put more effort in than the day before to working on me and my craft! Some days I want to give up, but that’s never an option. 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a photographer! My passions within that are couples, creative portraits, and maternity. I feel like I identify more as a lifestyle photographer and a teller of love stories. I like to make each session as emotive and intimate as possible. Everyone compliments my attention to detail. Little moments you may forget are the ones who speak the most to me. I love when I look at my photos you can almost hear laughter and feel warmth. I’m driven by the love my clients radiate. This upcoming year I hope to get into branding and more newborn photography! I would love to do more fashion work as the few fashions shows I’ve done were so amazing! Continuing to work with the community and create more resources for small business owners and full-time moms! 

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Social butterfly! I loved being around people. Almost to a fault! Still do in fact! I was always making friends and trying to adventure! Always happy to be doing something going hiking was the love of my life in high school and I’m still very much that same adventuress free-spirited kid. Most of my free time was spent outside or drawing! I adored drawing! I hope to make my way back to it one day! Probably since day one art in all of its forms has been my outlet, my therapy, my friend. Growing up and to this day I am a giver, however, I can make someone feel a little better I try my best to do it. All my friends I’ve had for years, they are my family and I hope to grow old and give them all the world 

Pricing:

• my hourly portraits start at $300
• weddings start at $1500
• creative prints start at $35

Contact Info:

• Email: mishmarie96@icloud.com
• Website: https://book.usesession.com/i/IJ6-bcyZ4
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mishclicks

Image Credits
Mariah and Dwayne
Bones of us
Mary Jane Martinez
Kiya the madrids