We recently connected with Hailey Knight and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Hailey thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. The first dollar your business earns is always special and we’d love to hear how your brand made its first dollar of revenue.
My first wedding client was a former coworker who saw the potential that I didn’t even see myself. I was a newly high school graduate who could not even get a hotel by herself! The wedding was in Tybee Island in the bride had to pretend to be my mom to get me into the hotel! I had never been to a wedding let alone photographed one and I was open and honest from the jump! I ended up doing really well and from there I never looked back.
In the beginning, I didn’t charge hardly anything and because I was just willing to work hard and grind I was able to have so many opportunities! Since that first wedding, I photographed more than 150 weddings & I’m honored and privileged for every single couple that has taken a chance on me! Every opportunity has shaped me to be a better photographer and molded me as a person!
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I was just a college kid that wanted to travel and wanted a needed a creative outlet! Never did I imagine photography turning into a career. I had the drive to be a Wedding Photographer before there was any money involved. It’s always been a true passion. Before I was a Wedding Photographer I was photographing anything and everything. I feel like people want to create a business and make money before they even have a demand for what they do. I encourage everyone to
Remember there why when getting into this in industry! We hold so many precious moments as wedding photographers. I feel like the Wedding industry loses sight on what’s important at the route two people in love coming together and we are documenting as it. Of course, all of the glam and flowers and pretty scenery adds to allure of being a Wedding Photographer. But instead of chasing the money or chasing the clout. Remembering the why of wedding day and why you do what you do is so important to your success. I’ve always tried to stay true to this. And God has always provided incredible opportunities and honored the hard work I’ve put in!
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
You do not always have to bring friends into business! I say this because it’s very easy to start blending multiple areas of your life especially in a field where it’s so personal! You can very easily blur lines and lose valuable friendships over money and opportunities. I’ve learned to always do things the legal way when it comes to involving friends and family into business. Remember that no one will work as hard as you do on your business!
Have you ever had to pivot?
I’ve recently started to change my business because of the season of life, I’m in! I really am entering into a season where I give my brides. I complete an undivided attention!
This means taking on less sessions outside of my wedding couples! This way, I can focus on each couple and learn more about them and their love rather than focusing on sessions and opportunities outside of their wedding day! I wanted to pivot to do a couples engagement, a rehearsal dinner and a wedding day that way, I can tell a complete story of a couple rather than turning couples away because I have prior commitments!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Haileyhighphotography.com
- Instagram: haileyhighphotography
- Facebook: haileyhighphotography
