Check Out Haylee Shaw’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Haylee Shaw.

Haylee, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
As far back as my memory can take me, I saw my grandmother taking photos. Everywhere we went and of everyone around us. It was surely just a hobby and a way to create memories for those around her, but it created a dream for me. I wanted to be the one creating memories for the people around me, and even more than that the strangers that become friends. Due to some circumstances throughout my life, I was never able to take any photography classes. I am one hundred percent self-taught and continue learning every day. I get into some of those life situations in a book I wrote called Leap Before You Weep VL. 1, available on amazon.

It touches on very personal, and some traumatic events in my life thus far. I decided to write it mainly as a therapeutic outlet for myself, but also in hopes it may help someone else. I have always found an escape in writing and taking photos. Until 2017, this was just a hobby for me. I took the leap in late 2017 to start a photography business, I started selling calendars of my landscape work and slowly started offering portrait sessions, family sessions, and couple sessions, and it just continued to grow from there. I love when someone approaches me with an idea that I have never tried before just as much as a simple family session a mom schedules to ensure she has memories with her kids before they all leave the nest.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There always has been and always will be some form of obstacle in trying to run your own business. Whether it be an equipment issue, shipping problem, financial struggle, or even your own negative self-talk. No road is a smooth one, there will always be cracks, divots, or potholes along the way. It just matters how you push forward on the harder days and celebrate on the good days.

Financially trying to start my own business was challenging, when you don’t have a fancy camera, expensive editing software, or any technical schooling in photography, not to mention the social media following… It is hard to get clientele. I have done and still do many free photoshoots just to be able to put more into my portfolio. Those are just a few relative struggles along my journey, we all have many other forms of obstacles in and outside of our small business on a day-to-day basis.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Landscape & portrait photography, I have dabbled in real estate photography also I wrote a poetry book this year, which I am hoping will be a short series.

I am most proud of the fact I have not given up, I continue to push forward no matter what happens. What sets me apart from others is my determination to be the best me I can truly be for my grandparents and myself.

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I am probably not the best person to ask about trends, as I tend to be behind on those. (lol) I see this industry constantly changing and evolving, there is so much you can do and create with a camera.

Pricing:

• Calendars $20
• Photoshoots $85 – $500
• Book $14.95

Contact Info:

• Website: https://hayleeshaw.smugmug.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/photographybyhayleeco_/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Flowerchildphotography1 

Image Credits
FlowerChildPhotography