We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Haley Unger a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Haley, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Alright, so one thing we think people don’t talk about nearly enough is investments – either time or money. What’s one of the best or worst investments you’ve made and what did you learned from the experience?
The best investment I have made in my business was hiring a business coach/taking a specialized business course. Having a no nonsense person to help me prioritize, organize, and grow in ways I was afraid to before completely changed how I ran my business. Plus it made my business much more profitable. I was unsure for years whether or not spending that kind of money on something that wasn’t tangible was a good call, but I wish I would have done it way earlier than I did. I rebuilt my website. raised my pricing significantly, and learned strategies that got me consistent results. Investing in yourself is the best thing anyone can do.

Haley, 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?
My time in college is what got me into photography initially. My degree in film and digital media from Baylor University gave me the technical knowledge and confidence to purchase a pawn shop camera to make money on the side. I started with senior portraits and entered the wedding market when I moved to Dallas after graduation.

I specialize in weddings and couples. but also offer portraits, family sessions, and corporate event coverage. What sets me apart from other Dallas wedding photographers is my personality. I am enthusiastic, organized, and truly enjoy what I do. These qualities help me go above and beyond for my clients, ensuring I deliver timeless images while having fun along the way. Most of my wedding clients have never been in front of a professional camera before their engagement session. I keep my posing candid and full of moment to ensure the clients are as comfortable as possible. No one wants stiff looking photos!

What I am most proud of is how far my business has come since 2014. I have photographed 175+ weddings, been published 15+ times, and found a career I am truly passionate about. I want potential clients to know how seriously I take their trust in me. I capture life’s most important moments, and I do not take that lightly.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
Networking with fellow wedding vendors was a big part of building a positive reputation. This means networking events, partnering with vendors on projects, and making sure to provide five star service when given a referral. Once you build a team of people you enjoy working with and can trust, the positive feedback loop of business happens naturally. About 50% of my business is referrals from fellow wedding vendors.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
SEO is where I put the majority of my effort in growing my clientele. This includes keeping my website fresh, posting relevant blogs, asking for reviews from clients, and trying to gain backlinks. Keeping your social media feeds fresh and updated also feeds into your SEO. As long as your posts lead potential clients to your website you are on the right track. I get 75%-ish of my business from referrals (fellow vendors or past clients), so always make sure you are taking care of your current customers, so they send you more!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.haleykphotos.com
• Instagram: @haleykphotos

Image Credits
Haley Katherine Photography