Meet Lily Hayes

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

Hi Lily, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Starting my own business as a newborn, maternity, and cake smash photographer was definitely a leap of faith, with the combine work of, sacrifice, hard work and the utmost dedication. It was a passion project that I had thought about for years after I had my first son in 2003. When I became a mother, only then, did I truly understand how priceless photographs are. I understand the importance of capturing those fleeting moments with our little ones, and I wanted to provide a service that would allow parents to do just that.

My thought process involved a lot of research and planning, from learning the technical aspects of photography to budgeting and marketing. But ultimately, my desire to create beautiful, lasting memories for families was, what drove me to pursue this career path. It has been an incredibly rewarding experience, and I feel grateful every day for the opportunity to do something I truly enjoy while also making a positive impact on the lives of others.

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.
For me, photography is more than just capturing images; it’s a therapeutic journey that heals something deep within me. Growing up, I never experienced the feeling of being seen, appreciated, or supported but with each click of the shutter, I find validation and connection with my clients. Photography enables me to capture beautiful moments, that not only reflect the world around me but also my inner landscape, providing a profound sense of fulfillment and purpose. This craft, is an emotional and mental connection for me, and because of that, much of my success stems from building personal relationships with my clients. I want them to feel valued and appreciated, just as I do.

Where I am today is because of my unwavering dedication to never be complacent in my work. No matter how many individuals phrase my beautiful work, I always see the imperfections in my photography that I need to improve on. It’s both a blessing and a curse but I wouldn’t have it any other way. My clients deserve the absolute best of me.

The lessons I’ve learned with my particular field is to find a niche and most importantly, your “style” and excel in it. Don’t get caught up with what photographer, A and B are doing. You’ll drive yourself mad. Find what speaks to you and do your absolute best to make it yours, and make it 10x’s better. Lastly, with any creative work, creativity alone doesn’t guarantee success. Marketing, excellent customer service from start to finish, and what sets you apart from others, does. As much work, as you put into being creative, it should be equal, if not more work, you put into the operational side of your business, that truly gets you further in your journey.

My business is more than just a job to me – it’s truly my heart. As a mother myself, I know how important it is to capture those memories before they become a faded memory. My work extends far beyond taking beautiful photos – it’s also about telling your unique story. It’s where I can pour my heart and soul into each client, capturing the pure joy, beauty of newborns, cake smashes, and maternity moments through the lens of my camera.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oh gosh, I don’t get out much and I don’t drink. If I’m not shooting, editing, or working on my business in general, I’m 100% busy being a mom; cooking, cleaning, running errands, chauffeuring my boys to practice, training, skills. They’re both basketball players and they play a lot of tournaments in the city and travel, year-round, so there’s never a restless moment in our hectic lives.

As for meeting exciting people, that plays into my work. I absolutely love what I do and all the wonderful people I get to work with. That’s where I get to be “Lily” and not just a mom or a wife. I absolutely love it!! 🙂

However, if I had to host someone here, I’d take them to Dallas Mavericks game or a Cowboys game. My love for sports started way become I became a mom, and a professional. You absolutely cannot visit Dallas without visiting America’s team or a Buc-ee’s, for that matter! We would explore Deep Ellum and the wonderful urban culture it has. Bishop Arts District is also a wonderful spot! Best barbecue in town would be Terry Blacks!! It’s AMAZING!! For any outdoor activities, canoeing at White Rock Lake would be my go too!! I’ve personally never done it but it’s on a bucket list for me to try. It’s looks like so much fun in the distance, when I’m out doing a session there. Last, but not least, Klyde Warren park is wonderful place to sit, relax and munch on some good food with the nearby food trucks, all while getting the best views of what, Dallas has to offer.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Yes, my husband, Mitchel. I struggled with the confidence, of taking risk in the beginning stages of this endeavor. Any risk can be a very daunting and scary task, but having someone by your side who believes in you and supports you, more than you do in yourself, can make all the difference. He has been my rock and my BIGGEST cheerleader throughout my entire career as a professional photographer. Without his constant encouragement and unwavering support, I wouldn’t be where I am without him.

He has always believed in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself, and for that, I’m eternally grateful. Mitchel truly deserves recognition for all the amazing things he has done, and for that, he is my dedicated shoutout.

Website: https://newborns.lilyhayesphotography.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lilyhayesphoto/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lily-hayes-242768b9/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LilyHayesPhotography

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/lily-hayes-photography-rowlett

Other: https://maps.app.goo.gl/3UL3wfrArotZQK8r9