Today we’d like to introduce you to Hayley Fisk.
Hi Hayley, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Originally from a small town in Illinois, my career started with a photography internship in Los Angeles that I was offered upon graduating college in 2012, working for one of my favorite documentary photographers/videographers, Lauren Greenfield. I originally planned on only being out in Los Angeles for three months, but after my internship, I decided to stay longer so that I could explore different areas of photography that weren’t as accessible to me. From there I focused on the retouching and photo editing side of the industry to sharpen my skills as a photographer. Working for various companies such as Fox Sports, NFL Network, Nike, Guess, and Reformation, I learned the full spectrum from start to finish on how to take a great photo. Once I switched back to shooting full time I worked mainly in fashion photography shooting for brands like Forever21, Oh Polly, Pretty Little Thing, Fashion Nova, etc. but when the pandemic hit in 2020 all of my work was practically put on hold.
Fortunately, I started dabbling in product photography prior to the pandemic, and with the help of my amazing husband Jay we transformed our spare bedroom into a studio, where I shoot the majority of my product photography. Product photography organically led me to shooting beauty photography as I oftentimes shoot both types of photos for skincare and makeup brands. I also started shooting food + beverage photography at the beginning of the pandemic which tied in seamlessly with my product work. It was definitely a lot of work and pretty scary having to jump from one area of the photo industry to the next, but being able to be adaptable has truly done wonders for me as a photographer and a business owner. Since receiving representation within the last year from my incredible agency O Creative Artists, I have been expanding my photography business to provide both photography and videography services as well as UGC (user-generated content).
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My journey has been anything but a smooth road. There have been a handful of times over these last 10 years where I thought about throwing in the towel and doing something completely different with my career. One of my biggest struggles was getting over the fear of not being perfect. In the beginning of my career, I worked for several people who tore me down and told me I would never get far in this industry. That heavily affected my ability to work without the fear of making a mistake. Over time, I have learned to trust in myself and know that, no matter what, I will always produce the best work possible because I am hard-working and take pride in what I do.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a photographer and I own a business specializing in beauty, product, fashion, and food + beverage photography and videography. What sets me apart from others is my clean and crisp style and attention to detail in my work. I am very technical when I shoot, and I take pride in making sure aspects such as the lighting and camera settings are perfect so that the raw files I capture are as close as possible to what they will look like post-editing. I am best known for my attention to detail as well as my overall professionalism and energy on set. Reflecting on my career thus far, I am most proud of how hard I work to keep improving my photography as well as learn new skills to offer to my clients such as videography and video editing services. I work hard every single day to not only maintain my business but to also grow as an artist and entrepreneur.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
One thing that may be surprising for some to learn about me is that I struggle with chronic anxiety. I used to only open up about my mental health with those closest to me such as my family, very close friends, and my husband because I felt that if anyone in my professional world found out then I would be viewed as weak or unfit to work with. Since the pandemic began in 2020, I have made a conscious effort to be more open and candid about my mental health, especially with other creatives. To my surprise, I have learned so much about how many people in my industry also struggle with things like anxiety and depression. Working in an industry where you feel the pressure to never make a mistake, to always find more work and new clients, and to always keep improving so as to not fall behind your competitors it can feel incredibly stressful and lonely at times. That is why I place such a high importance on breaking the stigma associated with mental health, and I believe that we should all support one another as much as possible as we navigate our lives and careers.
Having chronic anxiety is a part of who I am and although many may perceive anxiety as a weakness, I see it as one of my strengths because it constantly pushes me to challenge myself and to be open to learning new things about the photo and video industries. With the effect that social media has had on our industries, photographers can no longer be just photographers. We also have to be videographers and content creators. I bring all this up because I know, especially because of the pandemic, others have experienced similar anxieties and overwhelming fears as they navigate through these difficult times in our industry. What I have learned from my anxiety is that while I may at times feel like I’m a one-woman show, I am adaptable and I can push my own boundaries to exceed the status quo. When I do anything I do it with 100% effort and focus to provide the best experience possible for my clients while still being true to myself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hayleyfisk.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hayleyfiskphoto/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hayleyfiskphoto/
Image Credits
Hayley Fisk
