"Be not afraid of growing slowly; be afraid only of standing still." - Chinese Proverb
For almost seven years, a commercial studio was an important part of Laura Hatcher Photography.
My first tiny space on North Lee Street in the heart of Old Town, Alexandria gave me a place to build a business after retiring from the Navy. Leaving the structure of military service was disorienting, and having a place to go to work mattered more than I realized at the time.
When I outgrew that studio, I moved a few blocks away to a much larger space on North Alfred Street. My brand was growing, and business was good.
But when my commercial lease expired this past summer, I did not renew it.
Instead, I took a sabbatical to support family and build the next version of my photography studio at home.
The physical project turned out to be considerably more involved than I anticipated.
And once the dust literally settled, I began to recognize something familiar.
Another transition.
The military had taught me to look for the next bigger opportunity, and entrepreneurship had conditioned me to measure growth by what I could add.
More space. More clients. More revenue.
But I started questioning what growth should look like.
Eventually, I started measuring it by something else.
Time.
Having more time to enjoy life while running a successful business started to matter more.
Smaller Space. Bigger Picture.
In October 2026, after more than seven months of building and preparation, the Fairfax County Zoning Board approved my request to operate my photography business from my new backyard studio.
The space is intentionally designed for the work I enjoy most: professional headshots, military portraits, and personalized portrait sessions.
I'll continue photographing military ceremonies, corporate events, and assignments throughout Northern Virginia.
If there's one thing the She'd Project reinforced, it's that growing a business doesn't always mean making it bigger.
For me, it meant changing how I define success.
More independence.
More creative freedom.
More time to enjoy the life I've worked so hard to build.
Want to see how it all unfolded? Check out the She'd Project video series below.
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