Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaitlin Hays.
Hi Kaitlin, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My first real experience with a camera was back in 2012. After my grandparents watched me carry around a little blue digital kodak everywhere I went, they decided it was time for an upgrade. I got my first DSLR and took photos of literally everything. Flowers on the way into dinner, jewelry laid out on my floor, a friend or two on occasion.
I shot my first wedding in 2017, and I’ve been in love with it ever since. To be entirely honest, I never grew up saying my dream was to be a photographer. But somewhere along the way, it became exactly that! I went full time in 2020 after losing two jobs prior to the pandemic, and I’m so thankful to still be going strong 6 years later! Since then, I’ve shot at least 100 weddings, 100s of sessions, have been in Vanity Fair UK, Glamour online, and have hosted dozens of photography retreats around the country.
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?
I think no matter what you do in life, challenges will always be presented to you. Most of the time, self employment looks like hours and hours of unseen behind the scenes work, rejections or emails that read “we’ve decided to go in another direction,” and my industry being directly effected by the state of the economy. Given the way I stepped into full time photography, I like to think I thrive under pressure, and try to persevere through whatever is thrown my way. You just have to learn to adapt.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
When people ask what I specialize in, my answer is always weddings and couples! I love connecting with couples through one of the biggest days of their life, and can only hope to ease any anxiety they may be feeling while also illustrating their story in a beautiful way.
I’m frequently complimented on the fact that my work feels “lived in,” and true to the story. That’s always my main priority. Nobody wants to look back at a gallery of 100 photos and feel like they weren’t represented well!
The thing I’m most proud of is how I’ve grown so boldly into my artistry. Over the last year or two, I’ve started to push the boundaries in my work, and it’s led to some of my favorite imagery.
I’ve also become widely known for my passion project, “The Inspired Retreat.” It’s where I host photography retreats and content days for photographers, giving us space to play, experiment, and create without limit.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Other forms of media I’m currently loving include The Creative Act by Rick Rubin, The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron, Jennifer Moher’s entire perspective and educational catalog, The Say Less podcast and The Vendor Table podcast.
I think as artists we need to continue having open conversations about not only our industry and medium, but how we can live a creative life outside of it as well.
Pricing:
- Couples & Engagements $500
- Families & Motherhood $500
- Intimate Weddings $2500
- Weddings $5000
Contact Info:
- Website: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/kaitlinhaysphoto
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/kaitlinhaysphoto
- Other: tiktok.com/kaitlinhaysphoto pinterest.com/kaitlinhaysphoto
