Today we’d like to introduce you to Hailley Howard.
Hailley, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I had a camera in my hand at an early age. I was always telling stories, through words on my old typewriter or in my diary and through pictures – either magazine clippings or pictures I’d taken myself with an old point and shoot or disposable camera. I also found myself transfixed in the stories of others; my Mother’s tales of her youth or strangers on the street. I would watch the world around me and I couldn’t wait to amass my own collection of memories and captured moments.
I was traveling around the country in an old VW camper van when I decided that photography was my passion and that it was something I was ready to pursue wholeheartedly. As soon as the decision was made it was as if the whole universe conspired in helping my career fully come into fruition. I had never had this kind of passion, fire underneath me, for anything else. I had never been so driven, so inspired, so strong or confident. I found my voice.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Life as a freelancer is unique. My business is run solely by myself. I am the creative talent and the business manager. I am the person you email, the person behind the social media screen. I am sometimes a creative director, a stylist, a makeup artist, a producer and a team manager. I do a lot of things well but I am not a master of all. And on the outside, some may think I’m a phenomenal multi-talker but in truth sometimes I am really barely keeping my head above water. Sometimes I am so stressed out that I wonder if I’ve gone mad.
When I hit those stress lulls I remember that it’s a personal challenge, a soul-challenge if you will, to find my inner peace amongst the chaos that in reality, I have created. I have created a world for myself where I truly live and breathe my passion. I can say that not only did I find my passion but I built life atop this passion. All things have their balance and this beautiful world I created is not free of a dark side, exhaustion and painful moments. But most simply, I’ve never been so grateful.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Hailley Howard Photography – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Anyone who knows me, well or casually, would agree that I march to the beat of my own drum. I have not followed any guidelines or books. I have not followed a path previously laid out by another creative professional. I have not done everything “right” and there are some mistakes that I have made that have been costly on many fronts.
I shoot everything. I shoot weddings and fine art nudes. I shoot commercial editorials and fashion trade shows. I have no niche. This being said, I believe it’s my work ethic the sets me apart. It is my personal credo to never under deliver. I always do what I say and I often do more. I don’t do it for accolades. I do it because in sharing my voice and my art with others, even for a trade show, I am offering myself; my soul, my heart. I truly care that I deliver something that makes another person happy and warm. If nothing, I aim in my work and in my personal life to evoke emotion.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I’m always moving towards a goal. I find that we as humans often set our hearts on something and it’s less about achieving the goal and more about keeping oneself on a chosen track. I have achieved many things that I set out to accomplish but there’s SO MUCH MORE TO DO!
There’s so much to say, so many different ways to connect and share and it can’t all be done. I am really working on finding myself more in the present, in the peaceful mindset of knowing I’m walking the right path for me.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.hailleyhoward.com + www.hailley.com
- Phone: 949-607-7729
- Email: hailley@hailleyhoward.com + hailley@hailley.com
- Instagram: @lovebyhailley + @hailleyhoward
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