Today we’d like to introduce you to Hailey Swanson.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Hailey. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started getting into photography when I was a teenager. My aunt owned a couple of DSLR’s and was taking photography classes for fun at a local community college. Between learning from my aunt and self-teaching, I soon got into photography myself. I eventually acquired my own camera, and everything was history from there. In 2014, I began taking professional pictures. I use that term lightly because they were for small events and portraits. But we all have to start somewhere, and it was the start I needed. By 2015, I was hired to take pictures for my first corporate event — Quiksilver’s Spring Sales Meeting in Southern California. I’d say this event solidified for me that I wanted to pursue photography professionally. From that point on, up until now, my entire life has revolved around photography. The two aspects of it that I love the most are the people I meet, as well as the fact that I’m always learning something new. Whether it’s the technical side of photography, post-process editing or just the business side of it. I’ve found what works and what doesn’t work and I’ve learned how to better balance everything with my personal life.
Now, as far as my blog Bites and Bright Lights and my latest endeavor, concert photography, goes, that’s another story. In early 2017, I had this idea to create a food Instagram, since I had so many food pictures in my phone. I had only posted a few pictures before my friend Shasha (@busybeingshasha), an already established local Dallas blogger, reached out to me and asked me to be her contributor. I gratefully accepted her offer. As someone who was a relatively new transplant to Dallas, this opportunity opened so many doors for me. I began attending local events, primarily foodie events, on a regular basis. I would take pictures and report on the atmosphere, food, and overall experience. As Shasha’s contributor, I started to meet a multitude of local bloggers, photographers, etc. at these events, which helped me to expand my local network. I eventually branched off and created my own blog, Hungry Like Hailey, but Shasha still remains a great mentor and friend to me, and I will always be grateful for her help to find my footing in the blogging scene.
While Hungry Like Hailey flourished for several months, it was in November 2017 that I began pursuing a field of photography that I’d always been interested in but never was a part of— concert photography. That all changed on November 11. Months prior, I’d applied for a media pass to cover the Sound on Sound Fest in Austin, TX. However, it got canceled, which left me thinking whether or not I’d want to apply for separate rescheduled shows since concert photography was foreign to me at the time. I took the leap, and got approved to shoot my first show — The Story So Far, Turnstile, and Drug Church at Mohawk Austin. This was the best 11/11 I could have asked for, as my dreams were finally coming into motion. Bites and Bright Lights was officially born around this time.
In February 2018, I started shooting Dallas-based shows on a regular basis, at House of Blues, Granada Theater, Gas Monkey Bar and Grill, and Southside Ballroom. The more concerts I shoot, the more doors have continued to open for me. From networking with local venues and photographers to artists and crew reposting my photos, to getting followed by some of them on Instagram, to even taking their pictures behind the scenes, it’s been a surreal adventure. It’s crazy to look back at where I was only a few months ago, to where I am now. I’m continuing to meet amazingly talented people, all the while improving my own techniques. If you were to ask me my current goal, I’d tell you it’s to eventually start touring with bands/artists. Music, photography, and traveling are my three favorite things in the world, so it would be a dream come true.
If you have the time, I’d recommend reading my blog post, “The Evolution of a Concert Photographer,” as this gets into more detail about my journey from when I started to where I am today. You can read it on my site Bites and Bright Lights, at www.hungrylikehailey.com.
Has it been a smooth road?
Just like any journey, there have been some struggles along the way. From personal struggles, such as being an introvert who has had to learn how to pitch my own brand, to business struggles, such as finding the right people to get in touch with and drafting business contracts, it hasn’t been completely smooth. However, from every struggle I have learned many new things about myself and others, which has helped me to grow both personally and professionally. My advice for anyone would be to break out of your shell, and don’t be afraid to ask anyone for something you really want to pursue. The worst answer you can get is, “No,” I know on paper (or in this case, digitally) this sounds easy, but from experience, I know it’s not. That’s why I’d recommend starting small, whether you’re more comfortable in smaller or bigger surroundings, just start going to any events you want to attend. Not only will this help you transition to becoming more comfortable in unfamiliar settings, but it’s a beneficial way to improve your network and start sharing your brand with others. You never know anyone’s story until you talk to them, and you never know who you’ll meet. When I first started out as a contributor, I’d accept any event that came my way and fit with my schedule, no matter how big or small. We all have to start somewhere, so start attending events, learning new information, and teaching yourself new skills, and you will eventually flourish.
We’d love to hear more about Bites and Bright Lights.
I specialize in freelance photography. Over time, I’ve had the opportunity to take pictures in many different settings, and have learned what I’m good at, what I’m great at, what I can always improve, and what I love the most. I started out taking pictures of friends, family, and small events for them. I remember one of my first small events was for a small charity based out of Southern California. Since then, I’ve taken pictures in so many different capacities — from portraits to charity and corporate events to sporting events, to fashion shows, to headshots, to trade shows, to foodie events, to concerts, and more, I’ve tested a lot of waters. I love traveling and taking landscape pictures as a hobby, but professionally, my current love is concerts. However, I am always excited for any opportunity that comes my way. I think being versatile and being truly passionate about what I do sets me apart. I love food, I love the outdoors, I love music, and I love being surrounded by and working with others who are just as passionate about what they do. Hence, many of my experiences have been positive and fulfilling. I think the best way to improve in any field is to put yourself in an uncomfortable position and work to hone your craft. There have been many times when I have felt like a small fish in a big pond, but because, even though I’ve experienced different amounts of anxiety, I’m glad to have put myself in so many different atmospheres, because the best way to learn it firsthand.
We’re interested to hear your thoughts on female leadership – in particular, what do you feel are the biggest barriers or obstacles?
I think in general, one of the biggest barriers to photography is the fact that so many people want to consider themselves photographers. In my opinion, I think there’s absolutely nothing wrong with anyone wanting to take up photography because it’s the best thing in this world to me and I would encourage anyone to pursue it. However, I think because of that aspect, it’s lost its touch from its original art form. In this digital age, anyone can label themselves as a photographer, take a picture on an iPhone, touch it up a bit, and the picture looks like it might as well have been taken on a DSLR. Even people with actual DSLRs can find the ways around truly learning the functions of their cameras. It’s becoming more difficult to differentiate who is an actual photographer these days because anyone can hide behind the guise of their online brand or persona. The medium of photography is such a beautiful art form, and with YouTube and the internet, there are so many easily accessible ways to teach yourself how to use a camera.
Not saying it’s impossible without a DSLR, because good pictures can be taken on many devices, as long as they have a decent camera. If you don’t have the means to purchase a DSLR right away though, just start any way you can. If you have the eye for angles, lighting, composition, etc., you’ll eventually get noticed. You can save for a new camera, or you may even find a company who wants to hire you and will provide you with professional equipment. You never know how you’ll get your start, Regardless on how you start out, once you do own a DSLR, those good pictures will turn great as the quality enhances, which is why I highly recommend learning its functions. You will learn so many new techniques that will improve your photography more than you would ever have imagined, and so many bigger doors will open up for you.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.hsswanson.com, www.hungrylikehailey.com
- Email: hsswanny@yahoo.com
- Instagram: www.instagram,com/hsswanny, www.instagram.com/bitesandbrightlights
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/haileyswansonmedia/
Image Credit:
@hssvisuals, @bitesandbrightlights
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