Meet Hailey Huggins of Photos by Hailey in Marietta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Hailey Huggins.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Hailey. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started taking pictures with my sister’s new DSLR while I was in high school. Eventually, I bought my own camera and began playing around with it. A photographer at my church offered for me to tag along on some of her photoshoots and I started getting a lot of practice that way. I started posting pictures on Facebook, and before I knew it, people were asking me to do photo shoots for them! At the time I was charging $35-$50 per session. As I made money from these shoots, I would buy more camera gear and attended several workshops. For years I worked at camps and attended workshops and made connections all over! The majority of the weddings I have photographed are out of state, but I do love it when I get to photograph a wedding here in Georgia!

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Running your own business is never a smooth road! I’ve messed up and wanted to quit. I’ve gotten tired and overwhelmed from “wearing all the hats”.

I’ve gone through seasons of little business. I’ve worked other jobs but come home and stayed up late or gotten up early or worked all weekend on my own business. I’ve made choices to spend money in places where there ended up being no return. Those are probably the biggest struggles I’ve had along the way!

Please tell us about Photos by Hailey.
Photos By Hailey is a wedding and portrait photography business for fun couples and families who value time together and enjoy a bit of adventure!

Our slogan is “Fun, real, and stylish”. Clients are encouraged to pick locations that mean something to them, or places that they are comfortable in. I want to photograph them in their element, doing what they love with the people they love.

I take pride in the fast turnaround time for editing and receiving photos. I strive to give clients an exceptional experience, and I know how antsy I am to see photos after finishing a photoshoot!

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
I have a lot of great childhood memories! One that sticks out is a Christmas present I received when I was probably 10 or 11. There was huge bead collection at BJ’s that I had been eying for a long time! On Christmas morning my sister got it! I was so confused and sad when she opened it. My parents had “one last present” for me that included a scavenger hunt, and as you probably guessed, the bead set was what I found at the end of the scavenger hunt. I was thrilled! It didn’t take long before I’d made tons of necklaces, bracelets, and earrings to sell. I guess I started young as an entrepreneur.