The Portrait System Podcast: How To Create Scroll-Stopping Images with Hilmar Smith

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Portrait System Podcast
• Host: Nikki Klosser, Mentor at Sue Bryce Education
• Guest: Hilmar Smith, Renowned Portrait Photographer from Orlando, Florida
• Release Date: September 30, 2024

Introduction

In this captivating episode of The Portrait System Podcast, host Nikki Klosser engages in an enlightening conversation with Hilmar Smith, a distinguished portrait photographer known for her vibrant and unique “dopamine photography” style. Hilmar shares her inspiring journey, overcoming personal adversities, and building a successful photography business by embracing creativity and authenticity.

Hilmar’s Journey into Photography

Discovering Passion Amidst Adversity

Hilmar's foray into photography was serendipitous. Initially attracted to taking pictures rather than choosing photography as a career, Hilmar's passion ignited during a tumultuous period in her life. Faced with marital issues and her son’s autism diagnosis, she found solace in her ex-husband's unused camera.

"The time that I was spending taking pictures and learning my camera and learning my lights, it was like the most peaceful and amazing time that I have had in a long, long, long time." [03:09]

This period marked the beginning of her deep connection with photography, leading her to enroll in a Scott Kelby photography class and invest in lighting equipment, laying the foundation for her unique style.

Developing a Unique Style

The Magic of Color and Creativity

Hilmar's signature style is a harmonious blend of bright colors and creative compositions, which she attributes to her desire to bring happiness through her work. She lovingly refers to it as her “dopamine photography” style, aiming to infuse joy and vibrancy into every image.

"There's something really, truly magical behind my choice of creating with a lot of color. And I love when people recognize my pictures because of it." [02:34]

Her approach is not just a visual statement but a therapeutic process that helped her reconnect with herself during challenging times.

Overcoming Adversity through Photography

Turning Pain into Creativity

Hilmar's journey was fraught with personal tragedies, including divorce, postpartum depression, and the loss of her fiancé. Photography became her lifeline, helping her navigate through grief and rediscover joy.

"Photography was a big part of it. And I picked up my camera. And I started playing with everything... and it was magical." [08:44]

She embarked on a 365 self-portrait challenge with her newborn, which not only reconnected her with her creative self but also garnered positive feedback from her online audience, further uplifting her spirits despite ongoing struggles.

Building a Successful Photography Business

Unique Value Proposition and Client Acquisition

Hilmar emphasizes the importance of maintaining a unique style to stand out in a saturated market. Her colorful and expressive portraits naturally attract clients who resonate with her artistic vision, particularly within the competitive real estate sector.

"People who hire me, hire me because of my style... it is a lifeline, is what saved me and it's what really brings me joy." [21:04]

Word-of-mouth and social media have been pivotal in her client acquisition strategy, complemented by her ability to create memorable and distinctive images that set her clients apart.

Marketing and Branding Techniques

Engaging and Personalized Marketing

Hilmar leverages her distinct photographic style to market her services effectively. She collaborates closely with her clients to ensure that their personalities and brand identities are authentically represented in their portraits.

"If you are doing photography, if you're doing something artsy, it's because it does something within you, and you have to feed that part, too." [34:17]

By creating visually compelling and unique images, she helps clients, especially realtors, stand out online, thereby driving more engagement and business.

Technical Insights and Photography Techniques

Mastering Light and Color

Hilmar shares her expertise in using RGB shadows to create her signature colorful effects. She explains the technical aspects of her lighting setup, which involves using three lights with red, blue, and green gels to produce vibrant shadows opposite to the light colors.

"That's how you do it, it's really easy... It is a really 2D font technique, and it is so much fun to use." [41:00]

This technique, combined with her proficiency in Photoshop, allows her to craft visually stunning and emotionally resonant images that captivate viewers.

Teaching and Community Involvement

Empowering Others through Education

Hilmar is not only a photographer but also an educator. She teaches at renowned conferences like WPPI, where she encourages photographers to break traditional rules and experiment with unconventional angles and creative lighting.

"The class is pretty much like a little push in the back for people just to take a little step out of their comfort zone and experiment with things like I do with light and everything." [49:19]

Her dedication to sharing knowledge and fostering creativity within the photography community underscores her commitment to empowering fellow photographers.

Conclusion

Hilmar Smith’s story is a testament to the transformative power of passion and creativity. Through her vibrant “dopamine photography” style, she not only created a thriving business but also found personal healing and fulfillment. Her insights into maintaining authenticity, leveraging unique styles for business success, and the therapeutic benefits of photography offer invaluable lessons for aspiring photographers and business owners alike.

"Find the thing that you love and just go for it over and over and over again." [55:11]

Hilmar’s journey inspires listeners to embrace their unique creative visions and persevere through challenges to achieve both personal and professional success.

Notable Quotes:

• "Finding that peace and that thing that you absolutely love to do is magical." – Hilmar Smith [00:35]

• "Photography is something very dear and very personal to me... it's a lifeline, is what saved me and it's what really brings me joy." – Hilmar Smith [21:04]

• "If you are doing photography, if you're doing something artsy, it's because it does something within you, and you have to feed that part, too." – Hilmar Smith [34:17]

• "Photography is my playground... just take time to experiment is when magic truly happens." – Hilmar Smith [43:16]

This episode of The Portrait System Podcast offers a profound exploration of how creativity and resilience can lead to both personal healing and professional triumph. Hilmar Smith’s vibrant journey serves as an inspiring blueprint for photographers striving to make their mark through authentic and captivating imagery.