We had the good fortune of connecting with Kaitlin Hays and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kaitlin, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I think taking risks is one of the greatest things you can do for yourself, even more so in your career. Without them, we don’t really move forward or grow or go anywhere. We stay stuck in the same place.

My whole journey in going full time started with a risk, really. I was kind of forced into unemployment just before the pandemic, and once things started to go back to normal, I leaned into the fact that I had no job to return to. I thought, “well, if there’s a time to really do this whole photography thing, it’s probably right now.” I spent so much of my time that summer learning, experimenting, and building all the little ins and outs of everything. Somewhere along the way, someone told me that 2020 was the year that would be a “make or break” for so many people. And so I decided that for me, it was going to change everything.

It’s the greatest risk I’ve ever taken, and it continues to be one every single day. The inconsistency and the future being so unknown and having so much freedom that it’s scary. Putting yourself and your art out there for complete strangers, hoping that they’ll like or trust you enough to let you in to document their own very personal experiences.

So much of being an artist and an entrepreneur is about taking risks. And I love every single moment of it.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
So I’m a full time photographer, primarily focusing on weddings and creative portraits. I feel like so many photographers feel the need to put themselves in a box, but the coolest part of this job is that you don’t have to. My favorite thing about photography is the way that we get to be so imaginative in our work, and that we’re actually encouraged to.

That’s the most exciting part of it all for me, too- the creativity. I get so passionate and excited about getting to know my clients and their stories, and talking with them about how I can illustrate that for them. It’s apart of my process that’s really important to me, because no two stories or sessions are ever the same. When I really understand the life I’m documenting, I can do it in a way that feels real and authentic to them, nostalgic and artistic.

I have to be honest though, it’s taken me years to get to this place where I’m confident in my work and who I am as an artist. And even still, I battle imposter syndrome on a weekly basis. The DFW area alone is filled with so many incredibly talented photographers, it’s hard not to wonder if you’re as good as them, or if what you create is up to par.

I never really view them as competition, though. I’ve always been of the belief that there’s space for everyone, because we all have our own unique perspectives and styles, it can’t be so easily replicated. I think that’s one of the most important things I’ve learned throughout all of this, is that photography is not a copy and paste sort of thing. Neither is owning a business. What works for the girl next door may not work for you. You just have to be brave and willing enough to try and try until you find that one thing that does work for you. And then run with it.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’m from the Fort Worth side of town, and I think part of it’s charm comes from the low key kind of vibe that this city has. So we’d window shop! We’d take a walk through Sundance Square, have lunch at Texas de Brazil, and drinks at Thompson’s Bookstore in the late afternoon. We’d visit the stockyards and have dinner at the Drover before the rodeo. Bar hop and dance the night away. We’d also have to visit the Fort Worth Zoo and the art museums!

On the Dallas side, we’d spend a morning at the Arboretum and a night at a Dallas Stars game! We’d go to the Farmer’s Market and have drinks and dinner in Bishop Arts, maybe stop in for a movie somewhere. The museums there are also really beautiful, so that would be on our list!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My parents and grandparents have played such a big role in my success. When I was in high school, I was always taking pictures of any little thing I could- flower beds out at dinner, jewelry on my bedroom floor, my friends at the band lock ins. At some point I lost sight of it because things were just so busy, and when I got to college, nothing really felt like a good fit for me. I remember my mom nonchalantly asking, “well what about photography?”

That’s when I started to take it a little more seriously. My grandparents bought me my first real camera, a Canon Rebel t6, which is actually what I shot my first wedding with.

They’ve always been the first ones to share my accomplishments and encourage me every step of the way. I don’t know if I’d be here without their endless support. I also definitely get my drive, determination, and ambition from them because we’re a family full of entrepreneurs.

Website: kaitlinhaysphoto.com

Instagram: @kaitlinhaysphoto

Facebook: @kaitlinhaysphoto

Other: Pinterest and Tik Tok- @kaitlinhaysphoto

Image Credits
photo of me By Miranda Lynn

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutDFW is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.