Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Haley Day. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Haley, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

Starting my wedding photography business was the biggest risk I have ever taken, which I know sounds like a cliche but I truly feel this way. Photography was always a hobby of mine, a perfect pairing for my love for travel. I started out taking photos of landscapes for my own enjoyment, something very low risk. Landscape photography turned into lifestyle photography, and soon my friends and family were encouraging me to venture into portrait and wedding photography, but it all felt too high stakes. We’re talking about capturing someone’s memories here! So I settled in to a nice safe zone, I had my regular 9-5 job and I simply did photography on the side for fun, capturing special moments only when begged too and never charging a price. I stayed in this safe space for a couple of years. However, in 2020 after losing my job and steady income due to the pandemic, my safe space soon became an obvious saving grace. I could finally take the risk and go from a casual photography hobby, to going full time and starting my business. In September of 2020 I took the risk and got my LLC and went full time with my business. I started saying “yes” to those inquiring with me, booked paid sessions and began advertising myself and my talent. Now, 3 years later my business is successful, growing and fully supports me.

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 am a wedding photographer based out of Baltimore, serving couples in Maryland, Washington D.C. and surrounding areas. I work with couples & clients who are excited about having their most cherished moments forever remembered through timeless images! I love to deliver a highly personalized photography experience and I’m dedicated to capturing raw and authentic emotions & moments.

The intention behind my craft is to celebrate the individuality of each couple and wedding day, while building a connection with my clients. When working with me, I want my clients to feel comfortable that their life’s memories are safe in my hands.

My clients receive more than just a photo shoot and a delivered gallery, but rather a highly personalized experience where their most cherished moments in life will be captured authentically. In addition to a gallery full of emotion-packed photos, my clients also receive my guidance, expertise and attention every step of the way, from their engagement session to their wedding day. My luxury experience includes style guides, wedding planning guides, thoughtful location suggestions for their engagement session, as well as hands on assistance designing a photography friendly wedding day timeline, making it a truly an experience personalized to them – their gorgeous gallery is simply the cherry on top!

What I love about my experience is that I am so much more than a wedding vendor who just shows up on my clients wedding day. After a couple books with me, I am working with them for nearly a year or so leading up to their wedding day, helping them prep, plan and get ready for their day!

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I built my audience on social media through the power of building a “personal brand”. I learned this philosophy from Katelyn James, who is an educator in the photography space. The idea behind personal branding is to have your personality, your likes, your dislikes, your interests, be at the heart of your brand. By infusing your personality into your brand you will attract your ideal clients! Think of the Magnolia brand, by Chip and Joanna Gaines, that is a personal brand. Further examples are Taylor Swift or JVN Hair, their brands and businesses are completely centered around their personalities and passions and they have HUGE followings simply because of who they are and how personal their brands and businesses are. So when I show up on social media, either in my posts or stories, I make it personal! I share about my life, my passions (outside of photography), I don’t make everything “picture perfect” or “instagram ready” I just show up and I show up as ME. I get more engagement when I post about my love for Shirley Temples than I do when I post about work related things! So, my encouragement to anyone building their social media presence is to build a personal brand! Be you, there are lots of boring business instagram accounts out there, but there is only one YOU!

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

I’ll share with you a quote that was shared with me that I have found to be entirely true – “Your next client is in the room.”

My best source of new clients is from previous clients, planners, venues and events that I have already worked with! Most of my current couples are from previous clients, they were either a guest at a wedding I was photographing or in the wedding party from a wedding I photographed. Either way, a majority of my new clients have seen me working in person! Which is a lesson learned here – always carry yourself professionally and know that your future client is likely in the room watching you!    

Contact Info:

• Website: www.haleyday.com
• Instagram: @haleydayphotography
• Facebook: @haleydayphotography

Image Credits
All image credits are my own, Haley Day Photography