Meet Connor Hibbs

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

Hi Connor, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risk is the thing that sits behind literally every decision we make. Of course, the consequences to risks vary a great deal, but personally I feel like embracing risk is an important part of entrepreneurship because making your own way in the world is on the riskier side of the potential options a person can take professionally. That said, I would say I am a very measured and considerate person. I truly try my best to only take informed risks whenever possible. Any measure of success I have achieved in my career to this point has come about after making a decision to take some risks and seeing as how I am at least at this point doing fairly well professionally I would say I view risk as a necessary evil. I have had many points in pursuing this path where I had to take some leaps, and thankfully many of those leaps have turned out well, and the ones that didn’t were never crippling.
I tend to sit on the side of feeling like a bet on yourself and your ability to execute is one of the smartest bets a person can make.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
In my business I provide photography for professionals and organizations who are trying to build trust with clients and extend their customer base. I do this through professional headshot photography, event photography, and commercial product photography and videography. While I am an artist and creative, I am professionally VERY focused on systemization of processes to help my clients feel at ease in uncomfortable situations (Let’s be real, no one really enjoys having their headshot taken) while providing best in class results for them to sell themselves, their organization and/or their products to others.
I have found in my years of experience that many photographers can be good at getting beautiful results, but that all but the best are incapable of replicating their work day in and day out. I pride myself in the extensive technical proficiency I have in my company and the level of organization I am able to maintain in my business to always provide the people I serve with an incredible experience.
I think about much more than just “how can I make this photo look good” and truly consider how an image is going to communicate to the intended viewer and how that communication can help provide real results for my clients.

My professional journey in this industry has been a long and somewhat interesting one. I started to pick up photography in high school and continued with it as a serious hobby for many years charging money for my work on occasion, but never really pushing for it to be a business until a bit over a decade ago. At that point I met my the woman who eventually agreed to be my wife. At that point I was shooting portrait sessions for fun several days a week in the evenings. Very quickly Krysta came to me and told me that while she was fine with me spending evenings doing photography regularly that I should at least be charging people I didn’t know for the service. I started doing so, and word began to spread about me and my work which eventually snowballed into a business that could sustain me full time. Over the next several years of working to build my work into a niche and a stint in school I felt pushed to become much more organized, results focused and to think deeply about how I could use my skills to provide tangible and measurable value to the people I served beyond photography that is truly just a luxury service. I wanted my business to provide people with a service that was much more of a NEED than just a want because I needed to believe that the work I was doing would actually be worth people paying me.

I have learned many lessons along the way about the technical aspects of photography, about human psychology, about how to run a successful business, about how I can express myself creatively while also helping others, and just generally about what I want to leave behind me in the world. I am someone who cares deeply about others and want to do all I can to make a positive impact on peoples lives to help them and their businesses grow and succeed in achieving the goals they have in their life.

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 best friend were visiting Colorado Springs for a week, I’d want to give them a fantastic mix of local culture, outdoor adventures, and unique dining and drinking experiences. Here’s a week-long itinerary that showcases the best of what Colorado Springs has to offer:

Day 1: Arrival and Relaxation
Afternoon: Pick up my friend from the airport and head to their accommodation to freshen up.
Evening: Start with a relaxing evening at Lost Friend Brewing, known as Colorado Springs’ dog friendliest brewery. We’ll enjoy some craft beers and the cozy, pet-friendly atmosphere.

Day 2: Garden of the Gods and Allusion Cocktail Bar
Morning: Visit the iconic Garden of the Gods for some breathtaking views and easy hiking trails among the stunning red rock formations.
Afternoon: Have lunch at one of the food stands at Red Leg Brewing for a taste of local cuisine and a great beer.
Evening: Head to the Allusion Cocktail Bar for a unique cocktail experience. The intricate temporary themes are always a vibe and creative drinks make it a memorable spot to unwind.
Day 3: Manitou Springs and Shrunken Head Tiki Lounge
Morning: Explore Manitou Springs, a charming nearby town with eclectic shops, art galleries, and mineral springs.
Afternoon: Visit the Manitou Cliff Dwellings to learn about the ancient Puebloan culture.
Evening: Have dinner at Coati before heading to the Shrunken Head Tiki Lounge for a fun, tropical-themed night out with exotic cocktails and lively ambiance.

Day 4: Pikes Peak and Axe and the Oak Distillery
Morning: Drive up to Pikes Peak or take the Cog Railway for stunning views from one of Colorado’s famous 14ers.
Evening: Visit the Axe and the Oak Distillery’s Whiskey House to sample some of the best local whiskey in a relaxed, rustic setting before heading upstairs to eat some of the fantastic food at the Ivywild school.

Day 5: Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and Local Eats
Morning: Spend the morning at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, getting up close with animals and enjoying the mountain views.
Afternoon: Have lunch at T-Byrds Tacos before wandering downtown.
Evening: Catch a show or live music at the Stargazers Theatre.

Day 6: Old Colorado City and Fine Dining
Morning: Stroll through Old Colorado City, exploring its historic charm, boutiques, and art galleries.
Afternoon: Visit the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum to learn about the area’s history.
Evening: Enjoy delicious tapas at the Tapateria or Pupusas at Monse’s

Day 7: Outdoor Adventure and Farewell Dinner
Morning: Go for a hike at Red Rock Canyon Open Space or try some rock climbing if we’re feeling adventurous.
Afternoon: Have a leisurely lunch at Phantom Canyon Brewing Co. and sample their house-brewed beers.
Evening: Wrap up the trip with a farewell dinner at Four by Brother Luck, where we’ll enjoy a locally inspired, farm-to-table dining experience.

Throughout the week, we’ll get to experience the vibrant culture, scenic beauty, and unique culinary delights that make Colorado Springs such an exciting place to visit.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I know this is probably the cliche and typical answer, but the person at the top of my list to give a shoutout to is my incredible wife Krysta. I have absolutely zero doubt that I would not be where I am now if it weren’t for her love, advice, support and encouragement. She is the ballast keeping me steady, focused and grounded when I let my dreams and aspirations carry me too far, and my buoy bolstering and supporting me when I am in my darkest moments of doubt and despair. There are not words to express the gratitude and adoration I have for her. She is by far the greatest blessing that has ever fallen into my life.

Website: www.connorhibbs.com

Instagram: @connorhibbsphotography or @wanderingconbon for my life and travel photos

Image Credits
All Photos taken by me