Meet Colleen Hunter | Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Colleen Hunter and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Colleen, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
In my journey as the owner of Colleens Captures, taking risks has been a key part of my personal and professional growth. Starting my business during COVID was a challenge, but I believe that beginning with risk has made it easier for me to face any challenges my small business might encounter in the future.

Moving from Maui, Hawaii to Denver, Colorado after the Lahaina fires was extremely difficult for me. I left behind friends, the art community, vendors I had worked with for years, and the small business I had spent the last five years building. I wondered if I could ever rebuild what I had before and if I would find the same sense of community I once had in Maui. While I am still working on answering these questions, it’s been refreshing to meet new creatives and explore different artistic styles. This new adventure has been a great way to grow and learn, even though I have to work twice as hard to attract clients without the same word-of-mouth network.

Taking risks has taught me resilience and adaptability. Not every risk has been a home run (looking at you, expensive underwater housing I barely use!), but each one has been a valuable learning experience. Embracing the unknown and being open to new challenges has helped me develop a unique artistic vision and build a business that truly reflects my passion for capturing meaningful moments.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m thrilled to share more about my work with Colleens Captures! My small photography business specializes in capturing genuine, heartfelt moments, whether it’s family portraits, couples, branding or special events. What sets me apart is my focus on creating a relaxed and enjoyable experience for my clients, allowing their true personalities and connections to shine through in the photos. I blend candid and classic styles to tell a story that feels authentic and meaningful.

Additionally, I have a creative side project under the Instagram handle @colleens.portraits, where I focus on local businesses and portrait work. This platform allows me to showcase the unique stories and personalities of individuals and businesses in my community, highlighting their contributions and passions.

One key lesson I’ve learned is the value of community and support. Whether it’s the local creative community or the friends and mentors who have guided me, these connections have been invaluable. I am a strong believer that success isn’t just about talent or hard work; it’s also about building relationships and being open to learning from others.

Colleens Captures is about more than just beautiful photos; it’s about celebrating the connections and stories that make each client unique. My goal is to create images that my clients can cherish for a lifetime, capturing moments they can look back on with joy. I’m passionate about what I do, and I’m excited to continue growing and evolving as an artist and business owner. For more about my work, visit colleenscaptures.com.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my sister were visiting, we’d start by meeting my adorable pup, Lada, a cattle dog chihuahua mix, and then head out to explore the area. We’d definitely include a dinner at Vital Root, where my husband Gregorio works. We’d spend a day soaking in the natural beauty of Red Rocks Park and browsing the Golden Farmers Market on a Sunday. I’d keep an eye on Instagram for any local clothing designer pop-up shows or fashion runways, and we’d also visit the Denver Art Museum. A highlight of the trip would be a camping adventure in the mountains to enjoy the stunning scenery. We’d also take a day trip to Boulder to hike the Flatirons and savor coffee on Pearl Street.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d love to give a big shoutout to my best friend, June Bunch, who is not only a talented singer and artist of One Fruit Forward but also an incredible source of support and inspiration for me. June has been there through all my worries and challenges with Colleens Captures, always listening with a keen ear and offering valuable advice and encouragement when needed. I admire her own artistic journey and her strength in pursuing her passions. Even though she’s miles away in Florida, I’m incredibly grateful to have a friend like June to call whenever I need to talk about business or art. She’s been a crucial part of my story, and her support means the world to me.

Website: https://www.colleenscaptures.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colleens.captures/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleen-hunter-628a253a/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Colleenscapturesmaui

Image Credits
@colleen.captures
colleenscaptures.com

@colleens.portraits