We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Hailey Aitkins. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Hailey below.

Hailey, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

The story of how I knew I wanted to be a women’s empowerment photographer begins with me being in a really toxic and abusive relationship. We had been together for a little over two years, and I was finally ready to let go and stop the cycle of abuse. When I ended things, I had this deep knowing that I had broken chains in me and in my family’s long history of unhealthy relationships. I was really proud of myself and wanted to capture my courage with a photography session.

I reached out to a photographer I really admired, and luckily she appreciated my story and let me book with her. She directed the session beautifully, and I walked away feeling empowered and strong. I knew that I wanted everyone who stepped in front of my camera to feel the same way. That’s when the idea came to me: to create my business around women on healing journeys, who want to feel seen, known, and celebrated.

No one I knew was doing this kind of work in the photography world (I have found some since, but it’s a small group). The most exciting thing about this idea was that it could seriously impact lives.

I’ve always wanted to be a life coach or therapist, so the idea that I could help change lives for the better through the art of photography, was everything to me.

Hailey, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am Hailey Aitkins, owner of Hailey Aitkins Photography, and I got into the photography industry out of passion for travel and creative freedom. In 2020, I was working as an insurance agent (hating my life at a 9-5 desk job), and I got laid off due to COVID. I was ecstatic when I got laid off – like, joyously dancing. I knew that getting laid off meant the beginning of the rest of my life and the opportunity to build a career and life I had always dreamed of.

Fast forward 4 years, and I have traveled the world to take photos of weddings, brands, and women, been featured in magazines, collaborated with other amazing female founders, and helped over 200 people get the images of their dreams.

I currently offer branding, empowerment (inner healing), and boudoir photography for women. After 2024, I will be limiting my weddings to 5 per year and will be prioritizing destination weddings and elopements. I am also launching my first international retreat in summer of 2025, which will be hosted by me and my friend who hosts international yoga retreats.

The most important part of my work is helping women feel truly seen, supported, and celebrated in their own skin, and to help them claim their self-worth. The method and framework for doing this looks a little different for each session type – branding, boudoir, and empowerment – but the priority is for every woman to walk away feeling fully supported and seen during every session.

What I really want potential clients to know is this: they are worthy of being captured, loved, seen, and supported. Photography is a vehicle for healing and transformation. Everyone has fears about getting in front of the camera, but that experience of vulnerability is what facilitates healing and transformation. So many people come to me with limiting beliefs about themselves and about how they’ll come across on camera, and that they don’t have the confidence for it. What I tell them is that doing the shoot is what GIVES you confidence. All you have to do is show up. I got your back the whole way.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I am still building, of course, but what I would love for people to know about building a social media presence is to put their face out there! Every day. On stories. On reels, videos, posts. At least once per day somewhere on their social media, they should be showing their face.

But why do I need to show my face?

If you’re a business owner, especially service-based businesses, people who are buying from you want to know who you are. They want to know that they can trust you. They want to know that you’re reliable. If they see your face, see your life, and can relate to you through personal stories and likes/dislikes, they are WAY more likely to buy from you. People want to buy from real people. They want to know your story, your human-ness, your heart and intentions. They want to be CONNECTED to who they’re buying from.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

So far, the most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been showing up consistently on social media (several times per day) and attending 3-5 networking events per month. I have nearly doubled my revenue in less than a year since fully committing to daily social media and monthly networking. It’s been all about connections and building relationships for me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.haileyaitkinsphotography.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haileyaitkinsphoto/

Image Credits

All images have been taken by me, Hailey Aitkins.