Today we’d like to introduce you to Haley Wacker
Hi Haley, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
For as long as I can remember, my grandfather always had a camera in his hands. He would always ask, “Can I take a picture of you?” and I loved watching him capture moments. When I was 13, I got my first camera as a gift, and from that moment, I was hooked. I spent countless late nights going through family photos with him, comparing different photography techniques and learning the power of storytelling through images.
School was always a challenge for me, but photography became my outlet. I went on to graduate from TCU in 2023 (Go Frogs!) and started teaching that August. Throughout my life, I was the one capturing family vacations and taking our annual family pictures—it was something I naturally gravitated toward.
After a tough few months, both personally and professionally, I knew it was time to pour my energy into something I truly loved. That’s when I started photographing other families, and what began as a small passion project quickly grew into something more. Now, Wacker Photography captures not only families but also seniors, maternity, and lifestyle sessions, and I couldn’t be more grateful for where this journey has taken me.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Running a business is anything but smooth. It’s so much more than just meeting clients and taking photos. One of the biggest challenges for me was the legal side—setting up my business, opening a business bank account, and making sure everything was done the right way. Honestly, that’s been the hardest part—understanding the business side of things. If it were up to me, I’d never make anyone sign a contract, but as a small business owner, there are things you have to do to protect yourself and your business, even if they aren’t the most fun.
Another struggle has been social media. There are so many strategies out there, and everyone seems to have a different opinion on what works best. Trying to figure out how to use it effectively to reach clients can feel overwhelming at times.
But despite the challenges, every rough patch is worth it. The moments I get to capture—the memories that families and seniors will cherish for years—make all the hard work completely worth it.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a family, senior, and maternity photographer in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, specializing in capturing authentic family moments. My goal isn’t just to take pretty pictures—it’s to bring out each family’s unique personality and create images that tell a story. I want my clients to look back at their photos generations from now and feel something. I want them to laugh, reminisce, and share the stories behind the images with their kids and grandkids.
What sets me apart is my focus on how these photos will make you feel—not just when you first receive them, but 25, even 50 years from now. I want you to love them today, but more importantly, I want you to love sharing them decades down the road. I want these images to be the ones you pull out when family is gathered, the ones that spark laughter and memories, the ones that become part of your story.
At the heart of it all, my work has always been about family and memories. It’s about having fun, embracing the little moments, and capturing the love and connection that make each family unique. A stiff, posed photo doesn’t tell your story—but a shared glance, a belly laugh, or a playful interaction does. That’s what I strive to capture, and that’s what makes my work so meaningful.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me is family and memories.
From the very beginning, my photography has been rooted in the idea that moments—big and small—deserve to be remembered. Life moves fast, and it’s easy to let the little things slip by, but photos have the power to bring us back. They remind us of the laughter, the love, and the stories that make up our lives.
Family is at the heart of everything I do. Whether it’s capturing the joy of a senior about to start a new chapter, the excitement of an expecting mother, or the beautiful chaos of a family session, I want my clients to have something they can hold onto forever. I want their photos to spark conversations decades from now, to bring smiles to faces, and to be passed down through generations.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wackerphoto.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wackerphotography?igsh=c3hpd2oxcXphenEx&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DADFFTLpa/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@wackerphotography?_t=ZT-8tdcYsKuXcs&_r=1
Image Credits
Wacker Photography
