We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Hayden Haight. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Hayden below.
Hayden, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea
At first, the idea of working as a full-time freelance creative seemed like a pipe dream, but I had this feeling it could come to fruition with enough time. The people I was blessed to meet along the way were an indefinite help in that process. It’s always funny looking back and thinking about the struggle it was to initially gain confidence behind a camera, learn to give direction, and establish a look that fit my style. I think really any artist can relate to this never-ending pattern when it comes to perfecting their work. When I was 21, I remember picking up my first DSLR camera and feeling enthralled when I saw what it could produce with just the touch of a button. The pursuit of photography really began later for me when I was 23 and in college. I would often daydream in class about the kinds of shoots and ideas I wanted to carry out while simultaneously balancing a busy schedule. After about a year of playing around behind the camera, I landed my first paid opportunities, mainly engagement shoots or work for start-up companies.
As time went on, I started shooting weddings (both photo and video), sparking an interest in tackling larger marketing campaigns for commercial-sized businesses. Last year, one of my best friends and I decided it was time to start our own video production agency, Castle Delta, which has been the means to continue working on multiple marketing campaigns throughout the year. These past few years, we’ve been fortunate enough to work with companies like Topo Chico, Deus Ex Machina, Basic Agency, Mott&Bow, Hang Ten, Knowsmoke, Chamber Media, Lumio HX, and others.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’ve been doing photography and videography for over five years now. The journey of starting and growing has been entirely organic, requiring consistent effort and time behind it all. People and opportunities seamlessly fell into place along the way ultimately making the biggest impact on my career. Personally, I offer photo and video services for weddings, individuals, and brands. Castle Delta LLC is the production arm with which I am partnered to deliver high-end, performance-driven creative for brands. There’s nothing I love more than contributing to the creation of high-quality videos that not only look good but also convert. Collectively, Josh and I have handled creative projects for over 40 industries and more. I take pride in seeing the positive reactions from clients, both big and small, upon receiving their final deliverables. Whether it’s the joy a couple shares from watching their wedding recap video or a company experiencing a positive return on ad spend (ROAS) after trusting Castle Delta to handle their campaign. I strive to provide a tailored experience that sets my work apart from the competition while also meeting the specific needs of clients. I want them to be satisfied with choosing me and/or Castle Delta to bring their vision to life for themselves or their company.
Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?
This is a cool story and relatively unique in how I imagine most business partners come together in today’s world. Josh and I met while serving full-time missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He was close to finishing his mission, and I was just starting mine. We crossed paths in Lincoln, Nebraska, where I learned more about his photography career and his aspirations for his business upon returning home. We clicked almost immediately as we got to know each other, and I was inspired by his passion for creating, which actually sparked my desire to get started as soon as possible. We were roommates in college for nearly three years before he got married, and that’s where I built my foundation in photo and video.
How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?
I believe that forging genuine connections with everyone I work with is essential in the creative world. Whether it’s the couples I’m collaborating with or the company executives my business partner and I are pitching, I aim to create a comfortable environment for people to embrace the vision I have for them. Building a strong relationship with clients from the start is crucial to me, and I enjoy staying in touch with them throughout the production process. My experience in the creative world over several years has taught me that perfection is elusive, and sometimes, bending the rules and working unconventionally is in my best interest. Prioritizing meeting deadlines and exceeding quality expectations is a strategy that often leads to repeat business. When an artist shows love and respect for their clients, it’s reciprocated without hesitation.
Contact Info:
- Website: castledelta.com
- Instagram: hayden.haight
- Linkedin: Hayden Haight
Image Credits
I took all photos!