Meet the Tribe - Oriana Fowler
Each week we bring you the story of one incredible entrepreneur who can be found inside the Hatch Tribe COLLECTIVE. Today, were excited to introduce Oriana Fowler of Oriana Photography.
What is your business and how did it come to be? I am a vacation and wedding photographer for families and couples who believe in adventure, passion, and showing up as yourself! My focus is on natural, easy-going portraits. My business came to be because I had role models who followed their passion and were business owners, not least of all my grandmother. They modeled to me that one doesn’t need to follow the crowd and that creating your own job is an option! As for photography, although I studied it as a teenager I had never thought of pursuing it professionally. The Universe has other plans. Thankfully I listened (eventually!) as photography kept nudging its way into my life.
What’s the hardest thing about being your own boss? Not having as frequent feedback and collaboration.
What’s the best part about being your own boss? Freedom and the power to build something bigger that can grow with me.
How do you take care of your mind, body, and spirit? This is so important, and I’ve recently leveled up on this! I’m working with a coach who supports me holistically. I’ve worked with coaches on and off before and felt like I was ready for that next push. I also take days off, squeeze in walks on the beach, and I exercise at home on my spin bike!
How do you keep yourself accountable? I am always accountable to my clients and external commitments. However, I’m trying to crack the code on how to be more accountable to myself and internal commitments! I recently started an accountability mastermind. I am also learning to outsource more - the things I procrastinate are often the things I shouldn’t be doing anyway!!
How do you handle those moments of self-doubt and fear? Walking away! I’ve learned to stand up and go for a walk when I’m sitting in fear because it’s better than spinning my wheels, doing 100 other things and avoiding the issue. When I am walking, moving my body, and actively breathing I am able to gather energy and allow that fear to breathe and move right on out of here! If I can’t move, I think of Elizabeth Gilbert and her metaphor that fear can come along for the ride but it does not get to be in the driver’s seat.
What book or podcast are you digging right now? Creative Rising by The Youngrens, a podcast about the realities of running a creative business. Listening to this podcast I can really see how Erin and Jeff (the hosts) make decisions based on their values. For books, I just finished reading Buried in the Sky - I love non-fiction adventure!
What is one quote or motto you live by? A bit tongue in cheek, but I do love Sheryl Crow’s line “If it makes you happy, it can’t be that bad.” And of course, “Today is a gift.”
What does the world need more of? Being intentional. We’re not here just to go through the motions or space out.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received as a business owner? You can’t eat the whole elephant in one bite.
To connect with Oriana Fowler directly, join us inside the Hatch Tribe Collective. You can also find her on her Website and Instagram.