Today we’d like to introduce you to Eric Hattey.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
It all started with curiosity and a camera I probably couldn’t afford at the time. I’ve always been drawn to the way light and emotion interact — how one split-second can say everything about a person, a place, or a feeling. But I didn’t pursue photography seriously until much later in life.
For years, I was deep in the corporate world — long days, big goals, tight deadlines. Photography started as my creative escape, a way to slow down and actually see the world again. I was taking my camera with me on every business trip, walking each city capturing raw moments on the streets. Then somewhere between a few portraits for friends and shooting my first big event, I realized this wasn’t just a hobby anymore. It was a calling.
In 2022, I launched Gift of Photography — a name that reflects exactly what I want my work to be: a gift of perspective, memory, and emotion. Since then, it’s grown into something I’m incredibly proud of. I photograph everything from portraits and corporate headshots to weddings and motorsports — but what ties it all together is connection. I want people to look at my photos and feel something real.
Every shoot, every story, every frame is a reminder that this isn’t about me holding a camera — it’s about giving people the chance to see themselves and their moments in a new light.
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?
Smooth road? Not even close — but I think that’s what’s made the journey meaningful.
When I started Gift of Photography, I was still working full-time in corporate sales leadership. Balancing a demanding career, family life, and building a creative business from scratch was… let’s call it “organized chaos.” I’d be up editing photos at midnight and back on Zoom by 7 a.m. the next morning.
The hardest part wasn’t the long hours — it was fighting off the self-doubt. There’s this pressure when you’re starting something creative as an adult, especially when you already have a “career.” You question whether you’re allowed to reinvent yourself. Whether people will take you seriously. Imposter syndrome was virtually crippling sitting in the parking lot trying to muster up the courage to go inside and shoot my first wedding ever.
Then there’s the business side — learning pricing, contracts, SEO, and all the not-so-glamorous stuff that comes with turning art into a livelihood. There were times I undercharged, overworked, and second-guessed everything.
Being neurodiverse — living with ADHD and autism — has been both a hurdle and a superpower. On one hand, my brain never stops spinning. It’s easy to get overwhelmed, to hyperfocus on perfection, or to burn out chasing every detail. But on the other hand, that same wiring lets me see the world differently. I notice the moments between the moments — the subtle body language, the emotion in the background, the story happening just out of frame. That’s where the magic is.
But every challenge forced me to get sharper. To figure out what I really wanted to stand for as a photographer. It hasn’t been smooth — but I wouldn’t want it to be. The bumps are what shaped the story.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My roots are in street photography — the art of capturing life as it happens. No posing. No perfect lighting. Just raw, unfiltered moments of humanity. That’s where I fell in love with photography, because street work forces you to observe emotion, timing, and truth all at once. You don’t control the scene — you listen to it. That instinct still drives everything I shoot today. I want people to feel something when they see my work. Not just think, “That’s a nice photo,” but stop and remember what that moment must have felt like.
At its core, Gift of Photography is about connection. I specialize in portraits, headshots, events, and weddings — but what I’m really doing is freezing moments that remind people who they are, or how something felt.
I’ve built my work around authenticity. I want laughter, wrinkles, messy hair, emotion — all of it. The “in-between” moments where people stop performing and just are. Whether it’s a CEO finally relaxing in front of the camera, a couple completely lost in their wedding day, or a race car driver catching their breath after a win — that’s what I chase.
I think what sets me apart is the balance of art and intention. My background in corporate leadership taught me how to read people, anticipate needs, and manage pressure, while my neurodiversity helps me see differently — I notice the micro-expressions, the symmetry, the story behind a gesture. That combination allows me to connect quickly and create images that actually feel alive.
What I’m most proud of is that people trust me with their real selves. That’s not something I take lightly. Every time someone steps in front of my lens, I remind myself that I’m not just taking their photo — I’m preserving a version of their story that might outlive us both.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that you don’t need permission to reinvent yourself.
For a long time, I thought my creative chapter had passed — that I had a career, a family, a “lane” I was supposed to stay in. Photography reminded me that it’s never too late to start something new, to build a skill from the ground up, and to fall in love with learning again.
I want people to know that you don’t have to quit your day job to chase your dream. You just have to start. Create on the weekends, stay up a little later, mess up a bunch, learn what makes you come alive — and keep going.
Dallas has such an incredible creative community, and I’ve found so much inspiration in connecting with other artists who are balancing it all — work, family, creativity, and life. We’re all writing our stories in real time, and if my journey says anything, it’s that your next chapter can start any time you decide to turn the page.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thegiftofphoto.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hattey
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GiftOfPhoto
