Tracey Hagen, Founder of Tracey Hagen Photography Studio
Name: Tracey Hagen
Founder: Tracey Hagen Photography Studio
In one sentence, what problem do you solve and for who?
I empower women through photo sessions at our studio to look and feel gorgeous and be seen and heard.
What's your story?
Turning 40 was a transformational time in my life to say the least. Wow, looking back (I am now 57,) how has it even been 17 years? I remember when the realization hit me that my body was changing; I had to eat less and exercise more for the first time, in. my. life. I had to start making different choices on so many levels. How did that even happen? I was having a hard time even recognizing and embracing the woman staring back at me in the mirror.
I met the love of my life (Bruce Rishty ) at a friend’s 40th birthday party and at 42 was married and became a wife and mom. I opened my heart, my world to my husband and his family and in turn, his support. Being a mother is a gift that is unimaginable to any woman who does not have a child in their life. It's a love that grows continually, a love that always wants more and better. It's looking through photographs and feeling your heart swell with love and happiness when you see the beauty, the happiness and life in your child's smile and eyes.
I gave myself permission to start finding things that I loved about my evolving body and these newfound experiences of being a wife and a mom. In the past, I was so laser focused on my photography business and now I was able to open my heart and my world to my husband and his family who is so supportive of me. Suddenly, I was free to start sharing with my clients what incredible goddesses they are. I realized it was because I was that mirror for them. I could care for them, hold space, pamper them and reflect back to them their inner and outer beauty through my work as a Portrait Photographer. If I could have a conversation with my 40 year old self, I would simply say “it is OKAY, in fact everything works out. Everything is lining up for you in ways you never could have dreamed…” and when I think about that woman I was; experiencing all of the shame and the fear of her journey and her body, her spirit, and her heart it makes me remember that I could have used a beacon of light in that tunnel. Even a ray of hope and that is what I want to create today for you.
After experiencing being a mom myself, I experienced the loss of my own mother passing away to cancer. My mother was a badass Goddess. After she turned 40, my mom literally had a custom 14k gold necklace made for herself that read “Over 40”. I remember her wearing that necklace daily when I was growing up. When I was younger, I thought she was absolutely nuts to wear a sign on her neck telling everyone that she was over 40 years old, but now, I get it. She was proud, embracing and loving herself and wanted the whole world to know that she was a Goddess and over 40 years of age.
I am obsessed with all our family photo albums and portraits dating back to the 1920’s to honor and connect with loves ones who are no longer with us. I created a soul project called “The Waiting Room”, to honor my father who passed away in 1997. I saved his collection of Polaroid images of his patients, his life's work as a pediadontist which covered the walls in his waiting room and over the years, the collection expanded throughout all the walls covering his entire office from several generations of families who were patients.
Honoring his legacy and preserving the childhood memories of so many people who were raised in Miami Beach, Florida. I truly understand the importance of having legacy portraits to pass down to future generations.
And so the 40 Over 40 project was born. Being over 40 doesn’t have to mean it’s the end of your story - whatever that looks like for you. My purpose is to help you, to embrace your age and everything that comes with it, to be empowered and confident in your own SELF. I am so excited for you to experience being pampered with professional hair and makeup styling and a portrait session tailored around how you want to celebrate your story and who you are!!! Enjoy your makeover and model for a day experience in my MIMO Miami portrait studio. Let us shine a light on your magnificent stories in my limited edition magazine.
What does BEING a FoundHer mean to you?
Women supporting women! Connecting with like minded women.
How do you support other female founders and women in business?
I self published a magazine featuring Women in Business and another edition on Women Over 40. I empower them with a photo session at our studio, provide a unique and luxurious photo shoot experience celebrating women and their stories to empower others. I am currently launching the 3rd edition of the magazine for Women Over 40 and looking for women to be featured. I also attend as many women supporting women events as possible.
What are three podcasts you listen to that have helped you with your business?
Wiser than me with Julia Louis Dreyfus, The Portrait System, Sales Maven
What is ONE BOOK that you would recommend every female business owner read?
The Artist Way
What are the first five things that you did when you were starting your business?
Got an S Corp and all the legal stuff, Designed my own website, Set up social media profiles, Set up CRM with 17 hats, Set up a payment system on Square.
Who is someone who has helped change or shape your business for the better and what did they do to help you?
Sue Bryce, The portrait System mentored me the first few years of my portrait photography business by watching videos on every topic I needed to know. In-person workshops and conferences and photographers’ community.
At what point did you make your company a full time gig? How did you know the time was right?
I made Tracey Hagen Photography a full time gig in 2003. I was burnt out from the real estate business in Miami and had enough funds to follow my passion as a photographer. I knew the time was right since I was doing many workshops at Landmark Education and realized I needed to move on for my soul. I began with the artist route and getting accepted to full time studio juried residencies at South Florida Art Center and The Bakehouse Art Complex. After covid in 2020 I went full time as a commercial portrait photographer at my own studio.
What lesson or skill did you take with you from a prior job to help you succeed in your role today?
My prior job was Realtor and the skills I have taken with me to my photography studio are being professional and providing clients with written agreements every step of the way so we are on the same page. I am punctual and love networking!
Let’s talk social media—who handles it for your company (you, an internal team member, an outsourced solution?) and what is the secret to making it successful? What is the biggest challenge?
I am a one woman band right now. I handle all my own social media. My secret is Chat GPT to help write captions, LOL. It is helpful for me to pre-schedule my posts.
How did you land your first client?
I don't remember exactly how I landed my first client, I believe it was word of mouth. It' a great story! Neil contacted me to photograph his English Bulldog, he wanted to use the images to propose to his fiancee. I didn't even have a studio at the time and did the photo shoot at my apartment. He loved the final images and printed huge poster size prints of Barlow the Bulldog. He shipped the prints to San Francisco where he hired an event planner to stage a mock gallery opening with people and all. When he arrived with his fiancee, the prints were unveiled and he proposed. She said YES and it was covered in the San Francisco Chronicle!
What is something you do differently from the industry standard?
I am not a cookie cutter studio photographer. I meet my clients and find out how they want to be photographed. I provide an empowering experience and show women the beauty that I see in them through my lens of the camera.
What would you do differently if you were starting your business today?
If I was starting today, I would not spend so much money on all the STUFF like studio wardrobe closet and props., etc. I don't feel like I really need but yes it is nice to have.
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