We were lucky to catch up with Haley Folkman recently and have shared our conversation below.

Haley, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about how you got your first non-friend, non-family client. Paint the picture for us so we can feel the same excitement you felt on that day.

I started taking photos in 2019 while I was attending college in Utah. I started checking out cameras from the school library and would venture to the mountains after class to spend some time by myself and take photos of my surroundings. As I became increasingly interested in photography, I started an instagram account where I posted photos of myself and my friends.

After a couple of months, I had a sweet young mom message me to take family photos for her and even though I was so excited, I was also so nervous! I didn’t have any idea how much money to charge her, so I asked everyone I knew for advice. I ended up asking $75 which she was more than happy to pay. She was the first stranger I photographed and it was nerve-wracking, but so special. She was kind and her little kiddos were adorable.

I slowly got more requests after that first paid shoot, and then I eventually got a request to do my first wedding! Even though it’s been 4 years since then, every inquiry I get makes me just as excited as that first one! I absolutely love what I do and it’s such a pleasure to meet so many amazing people I wouldn’t have otherwise!

Haley, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am the owner and primary photographer for Haley Folkman Photography. I serve couples and their families by photographing their wedding, and in many cases, helping with planning and coordination as well! Since I have attended so many weddings as a vendor, I’ve seen a lot of ideas that work and have a good sense for how long things take. I also take engagement photos.

My style leans toward documentary, which means I spend less effort posing couples, and more time on the side lines with my camera, capturing the moments and expressions as they naturally unfold. I love photos that are filmy + true to color. My instagram features brides and grooms who are either showing a lot of emotion, or purposefully looking serene and at peace.

The best part of my job is meeting so many amazing people on the best day of their lives! It’s always such a happy occasion and I love doing my part to help the day run smoothly and make the bride feel beautiful (because she always is).

I’m personally camera-shy when it’s my turn to have my photo taken, and so I completely sympathize with people who are more quiet and/or nervous about being in front of the camera. I make a special effort to get to know each person I photograph so that I can bring out their authentic personality.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

I first started with absolutely no equipment! I would check out cameras from my school’s library and I was editing photos on my phone for the first little while.

Because I was a student, I was dirt poor and couldn’t afford school, let alone expensive photography equipment!

My dad saw the passion I had and bought me my first ever camera (which I still own!) and lens for Christmas. My really good friend had a roommate who was selling his Macbook, and this amazing friend bought it for me and gave it to me as a gift. I have been so blessed to have people love me and support me in my dreams!

Haley Folkman Photography is profitable so I can now buy any equipment I need moving forward, but I will never forget the kindness I was shown in the early days.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

By far the best strategy for growing my clientele is to treat each of my clients like family. I do everything in my power to nurture every relationship and love them for their individuality. Over time, people may forget a lot of the details of what happened on their wedding day, but they don’t forget how you made them feel and they have photos to look back on it.

I often have brides refer me to their friends and family because of the customer experience I strive to provide to each of them!

Contact Info:

• Website: [email protected]
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/@haleyfolkman.photo
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/haleyfolkman.photo