Creative community for photographers isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s often the thing that keeps a business (and the person running it) going. In this episode, photographer Rylee Hitchner talks booking her first wedding at sixteen which then led to building an internationally sought-after wedding and family photography business while homeschooling her three children.
This is part one of a two-part conversation which focuses on how Rylee has built a life and a business around intention. She talks about creativity, motherhood, and why the relationships she’s built with other creatives have shaped her work as much as any technical skill.
Where Intentional Living Comes From
Rylee traces her intentionality back to her childhood. Her parents recognized early on that she thought differently than other kids, something she now attributes to ADHD and dyslexia, though she wasn’t formally diagnosed until adulthood. Rather than pushing her toward a traditional path, they gave her room and encouragement to pursue her interests, even gifting her books written by other teenagers to show her what was possible at a young age.
That freedom shaped how she approached her photography career from the start. She was homeschooled for her final three years of high school, which gave her time to study business and photography on her own terms. She shot her first wedding at sixteen, and after one semester of college, she made the decision to leave school entirely to focus on the twenty weddings she already had booked. She saw the next four years not as a gap, but as practice, portfolio building, and self education.
Relationships as the Real Turning Point
Rylee is clear that relationships, not marketing or networking events, were what moved her career forward. One of her early clients was a designer just out of college who connected her with more designers, which eventually led to a connection with Once Wed, an influential wedding blog at the time. She describes those early years as organic rather than strategic, built on genuine connection with other creatives who were also just starting out.
Those relationships led her to start a creative small group in 2015 with one of her friends. What began as an open invitation to around thirty or forty women grew into something much deeper than a networking group. The gatherings centered on shared meals, honest conversation, and creative exploration across many different fields, from florists to bakers to painters. Rylee says some of her closest friendships today came directly out of that group, and she still runs small creative gatherings in different forms.
Why Creative Community Matters
Rylee opens up about a hard season after the birth of her second son in 2017. She wasn’t burnt out from overworking, but from feeling disconnected from herself creatively. She describes breaking down over a batch of burnt cookies, a small moment that surfaced a much bigger feeling of not recognizing who she was anymore. What brought her back, she says, was being seen by another creative, being invited into a photo shoot as the subject rather than the photographer, and having someone remind her that her identity as an artist hadn’t disappeared, even in a season that felt like it was taking everything from her.
That experience is part of why she believes so strongly in creative community for photographers specifically. Running a business as a mother and an artist takes something out of you, and Rylee’s perspective is that this weight is meant to be shared rather than carried alone. She encourages photographers who feel like their creative cup is empty to remember that showing up for others, even with very little to give in that moment, is often where the real value of community shows up.
Listen and Learn More
Rylee’s story is a good reminder that a sustainable photography business rarely gets built in isolation. Whether it’s a small group over lunch, a mentor who sees your work differently than you do, or a community built around shared creative struggle, the people around you matter as much as your portfolio. This episode is part one of a two-part conversation with Rylee, so be sure to catch part two for more of her story.
Find Rylee at ryleehitchnerjournal.com or on Instagram at @ryleehitchner.
Ready to build a business that reflects your own creative voice? The Motherhood Anthology membership gives you access to expert mentors, live coaching, monthly marketing suites, and a private community of photographers who are invested in your success. Learn more and join at themotherhoodanthology.com.
Episode Sponsor: Picture Perfect Rankings
This episode of The Motherhood Anthology Podcast is brought to you by Picture Perfect Rankings. Melissa Arlena is a TMA mentor who helps portrait photographers get found on Google through strategic SEO and blogging. Learn more about her work at Picture Perfect Rankings, and check out her Found & Booked program if you are ready for a done-with-you SEO system with personalized feedback on your website.
The Motherhood Anthology is a community and educational resource for photographers who want a profitable and sustainable business they love. With 15+ expert mentors and 7+ years of proven content, TMA helps portrait photographers build confident, thriving businesses through monthly education, mentorship, and a supportive community of 700+ members.
