Today we’d like to introduce you to Wendy Hayes.
Hi Wendy, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Throughout my childhood, I studied acting, dancing, and music (instrumental and vocal). I also studied costume design as well as hair and makeup design.
In 2011, a friend invited me to attend his birthday celebration at a Renaissance festival. I figured, hey that sounds like fun! With the bite of my first turkey leg, I knew that I was a changed person, and I needed more of this in my life. By trade I was a makeup artist, and I was starting to find that some photographers would fail to give me images of my work. So I purchased a DSLR camera so that I could take my own photos at shoots.
The next year, I was the team photographer on a group trip to Zambia, Africa. That experience changed my life as I realized I needed more photography in my life. In 2014, I took a black and white analog photography class at a community college so that I could better learn the science and art of photography. A year later, I started my journey of becoming a renaissance festival photographer. I attended the Original Renaissance Pleasure Faire in Irwindale, CA multiple times to photograph a range of subjects. What I found most enjoyable to capture were the jousting action sequences and all of the costumes.
I then began attending the Arizona Renaissance Festival, where I continued my love of capturing the jousting matches, and discovered the love of shooting the interactions and the emotions of the festival talent and guests.
Being in the right place at the right time connected me with the folks that run the New Mexico Renaissance Celtic Festival. After a couple of years of hard work, such as photographing in strong gusty winds, rain and snow for hours at a time, along with some self-sacrifice, I’m honored to be an official photographer for them. My background of theatre and costume design is intrinsic to my love of capturing dynamic, colorful and beautiful moments that bring joy to people’s faces when they see my work. My images also support the festivals in helping to build public interest.
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?
When I first started off as a semi-professional photographer, I booked private family portraits and children’s parties. I even was a supporting photographer at some weddings. After a move, life became busy and working to gain a whole new clientele seemed overwhelming. Then my health started declining. I had to put away any serious photography for several years in order to focus on my health and just getting through day-to-day life while being sick. I did a couple of photoshoots from time to time to help soothe the creative monster that lives inside me. During that time away from any serious photography, it gave me the chance to self-reflect and understand what I liked, what motivated me to be creative and what I didn’t miss at all and never wanted to revisit!
After moving, and successfully recovering my health, I was able to get involved in photography again. Due to that previous time of reflection, I was able completely rebrand myself.
I will admit I, along with many other artists/creative types that I have met, tend to struggle with value, sometimes dealing with self-doubt when putting a price one’s own work. In early 2024, at the age of 48, I was diagnosed with ADHD. Spending time to understand how my brain works, and reviewing the history of my life, has helped me gain more confidence in myself. I better understand my value as an individual and as a creative person. I share this personal information as I hope this will inspire others to go through a similar journey to find themselves in a better place.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a photographer who enjoys event photography specializing in costume/themed events, as well as editorial portraits. My photos have helped promote various festivals in the United States, including but not limited to the New Mexico Renaissance Celtic Festival, Wild West Frontier Festival and the Pirate & Viking Summer Festival that are held in Edgewood, NM.
What I am most proud of is my commitment to push myself to be on a continuous journey to improve my craft, whether it be through learning something new, refreshing my knowledge of the classic principles of photography, or trying to approach things from a different perspective. Presenting a frozen moment in time that bring people’s emotions to the surface feels pretty good too.
What sets me apart from others is my education and experience. Earlier I mentioned that I studied acting, music, and dancing. While in these creative environments, I collaborated with other performers, artistic directors, costume designers and hair and makeup artists on various projects. Because of this background, I understand the importance of light, movement, fabric/texture, emotion and other key elements such as the use of color, that synergistically create a story in a photograph.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
When I was younger, I thought that success was based on fame and fortune. Superficially that thought is still there, but as I have become older and embraced who I am as an introvert, I understand fame is not so important to me. I think what really defines success for me is if one is able to not only reflect but honestly answer the following questions, and take steps to address them.
Are you open to learning new things?
Are you happy with the quality of your work?
Are your clients happy with your quality of work?
Did you achieve your goals?
What else can you do to improve your craft?
These are key elements in order to continue to be successful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://wendyhayes.mypixieset.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lets_wend_with_wendy/
Image Credits
Photo of me posing with camera is by Ava Charrlin Photography.