Today we’d like to introduce you to Haley Flores.
Hi Haley, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My story in photography really starts back as far as middle school working in the school yearbook! As I got older I tried to follow traditional routes for careers and I ending up in college for nursing. It really didn’t fuel my soul I often felt depressed in the environment that I was in and I started to realize that nursing was definitely not God’s path for me. Two years ago I decided to pick my camera back up and haven’t set it down since! It truly has brought me so much joy and peace knowing in fulfilling the calling that God has blessed me with!
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?
Definitely has not been a smooth road by any means! These past two years have been filled with a lot of uncertainty when it can to my health and not knowing if I would be able to continue this career that I love with my whole heart. Around September of 2025 I was diagnosed with IIH which is idiopathic intracranial hypertension. Basically this means I had too much pressure inside of my head and this can be the result of a few things. Some people produce too much cerebrospinal fluid, some people have cysts, and some are kinda just a mystery which is the category I fell into. I had many tests done just trying to figure out what was wrong with me all of them were pretty traumatic to say the least on top of having no idea what was wrong with me. It was hospital visit after hospital visit and trying to run a business on top of everything going on was extremely difficult. To this day I’m so thankful for the clients that gave me grace and understood that my life had gotten turned upside. The reason this diagnosis felt like the end to my career was because one of the side effects of having this disease is the possibility of blindness from the increased pressure pushing on the optic nerves. After finding this out I was immediately terrified not knowing if this could be the outcome I would have to face. When all the results from my scans and other tests came back it lead to more uncertainty they told me to wait and see if it got worse then they would intervene with brain surgery or medication that is extremely hard on the body! From that day on I did as much research as I could and honestly couldn’t find very much since it is considered rare but I did I find natural remedies and alternatives to help heal my body! I was forced to prioritize taking care of myself which was hard but I knew if I didn’t care for myself I couldn’t care for my clients! After a whole lot of tears, prayers, research and hard work I was able to put myself into remission! I thank God I have not and will not have to face the outcome of blindness!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a faith based wedding and couples photographer! I am most proud of the fact I get to share the love of Jesus through my work! I am truly a hopeless romantic so seeing so much love and emotion between couples in my everyday life brings me so much joy! I think my love of Jesus and books sets me apart from the photography community! So much of the inspiration for the art I create is heavily rooted in my love for books the cinematic storytelling of it all! Although it is most inspired by the greatest love story of all time which is not written in an ordinary novel, but in the pages of scripture. It shows us a love that bled and Set us free. A love that is everlasting and a love that constantly reminds us what a blessing it is to love and to be loved
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Although this industry can feel pretty intimidating at times you will find amazing people within it! Put yourself out there, reach out to people you admire, ask for advice, shadow other photographers, be willing to take constructive criticism and make your dreams a reality! There will be people who meet your kindness with rude remarks and that’s okay! Dust yourself off and keep on trying! Stay true to roots and what you stand for! Always be willing to do something that is out of your comfort zone!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://divinefocusphotography26.mypixieset.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divinefocusphotographytx
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1GjMkkRgqX/
