Today we’d like to introduce you to Hailey Woods.
Hi Hailey, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I took photography in high school 11 years ago, and it was something that interested me, but it wasn’t the right time in my life. Ever since I was young, I loved shooting on my family’s camera back when iPhone cameras weren’t good, and I had my own digital camera where I would set up little photoshoots with my friends.
I went to CWU and graduated in PR and project management, then worked in the corporate world for 6 years. Before ending my time as a 9-5 worker in 2025, COVID hit in 2020, and I started exploring my interests and realizing how important it is to follow what actually lights you up, especially after watching my husband drop everything to become a mental health counselor and make a meaningful impact.
During that time, we spent a lot more time outside on trails. I would bring my phone and practice composition, then edit later in Lightroom mobile. That year, I remembered my parents had an old Canon Rebel they used before phones had good cameras, and I asked to use it. That’s where my photography journey really began. It wasn’t anything fancy, but it gave me everything I needed to learn.
I took online courses through the School of Photography and completely hyper-focused on learning through research, podcasts, and studying other photographers. I treated it like a second job while still working my 9-5. I had long commutes from Puyallup to Seattle, so I spent that time absorbing as much as I could about both the art and the business. During that time, I also started doing photoshoots on the side on weekends here and there, and two years ago I dove into second shooting weddings, which gave me hands-on experience and a deeper understanding of storytelling in real time.
I became pregnant in 2024, and during my second trimester, I felt this overwhelming sense of clarity that this was something I could build instead of returning to my 9-5. Something that would allow me to stay home with my baby, be more present with my family, and create a life that felt aligned. It honestly felt like a calling, and from that point on I had complete tunnel vision.
After my son was born, I took three months off, then jumped into model calls and invested in Catryce Sutson’s marketing and business strategy program. By August 2025, the day I was supposed to return to my 9-5, I made the decision to quit my job.
I have always had a vivid imagination and feel things deeply. I have always been creative, just not in traditional ways like writing or painting. When I realized I could express emotion through photography, there was no turning back.
I am deeply inspired by cinematography and by passionate, real love, the kind I get to witness every day in my own home and in the people around me. My husband, in many ways, is my muse. That’s what I am always chasing in my work, not just how something looks, but how it feels.
Alright, 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?
Finding this as my passion was overwhelming because it consumed my mind, body, and spirit. In the beginning, I went all in. I hyper-focused, tried to learn everything at once, and took on too many learning curves at the same time. I ended up burning myself out to the point where I didn’t touch my camera for months.
Fast forward to now, after quitting my 9-5. Even though it has been 6 months of doing this full time, I am still in the process of figuring out balance. Raising my son, being present as a wife, and running a business all at once can feel like a constant juggle. Keeping up with everything is often exhausting.
Right now, I am learning how to create more sustainability in my life and business. That has looked like starting to delegate, even when it feels uncomfortable or sets me back financially in the short term. This month, I put my son in part-time care twice a week to test what that balance could look like.
It is still a work in progress, but I am learning that building a business I love also means building a life that can hold it.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a moody, cinematic couples and wedding photographer who is storytelling-based. I focus on emotion and connection first, over traditional posing. I also recently dove into author branding for women and LGBTQ+ authors who write romance, fantasy, and gothic literature. I love creating different concepts, so I have opened a limited number of spots for sessions inspired by film, literature, and mood. The first session I did like this was a bookstore engagement shoot at Beguiled Books in Seattle, and it is still one of my favorite shoots I’ve ever done. I recently booked two more for a future concept inspired by The Notebook, featuring a pond and boat setting.
I specialize in cinematic and documentary-style coverage with intentional composition. I work with couples who value presence, artistry, and storytelling. I guide clients in a way that feels natural so they feel confident instead of awkward, and I focus on capturing real, honest moments through guided prompts. I am also known for creating a space where people feel safe and comfortable to be themselves in front of the camera.
I am known for my brand, which I am absolutely in love with, inspired by soft gothic and fantasy origins. My work often feels like movie stills. I create an experience where couples can have fun and feel like they are on a date, while still capturing emotional depth, rich color, and vintage tones.
I am most proud of building this business from scratch while being a new mom, taking a creative leap from corporate life into something fully aligned, and developing a style that feels true to me rather than following industry norms.
My work is rooted in emotion, inspired by cinematography, and shaped by real love in my own life, so the photos don’t just look beautiful, they feel like something you lived.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Connecting with other photographers in your area is huge. I’ve made a lot of my connections through social media by starting conversations, asking about their work, and genuinely engaging. Building relationships goes a long way, and it really starts with caring about others.
I’ve built a strong community of like-minded photographers, and that has opened up opportunities for me to second shoot, associate shoot, and even have sessions referred to me. I’ve also learned so much from these connections. It’s okay to ask questions and start conversations in the DMs, but instead of immediately asking for help, I recommend focusing on building the relationship first.
Another great way to get yourself out there is by attending retreats and styled shoots, or even hosting your own. There are also a lot of local networking groups that host in-person events. I haven’t made it to one yet, but I definitely plan to soon.
Pricing:
- Weddings start at $3,800
- Elopements start at $1,200
- Regular 1-hr session $450 (may not have 1-hr option for long!)
- Author package $1000 – really neat bc it includes content creator and creative director
Contact Info:
- Website: https://haileywoodsphotography.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haileywoods_photography?igsh=MXBhN2xocXdleHpnZw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
