Hayley
Name: Hayley
Camera: Nikon D5500
Favourite type of photography: Portrait, close-up and documentary
Location: Birmingham, UK
Website: www.plushayleycreative.co.uk
Instagram: @plushayleycreative
How did you get into photography?
I got to choose it for an A Level as I was always leaning to more creative subjects - so I chose that along art and media studies. I also started taking photos of cars when my dad went to VW meets.
Do you have any photographic qualifications or accolades?
A Level, Ba (Hons) in video and film production and MA in film and photography
What's the first photograph you remember seeing or shooting?
Don't remember much due to trauma/brain fog but I grew up when digital cameras were taken everywhere in your pocket so we were all taking photos of memories in 2007+ at school. The 'professional' ones I remember the most are probably of VW cars at meets we used to go to when I was a teenager.
What do you love about photography?
There's not really any rules (once you're on your own with it), you can see beauty in everything, especially in other people, which they don't see. It makes people feel better about themselves to see how others see them. I also like how it's used for documentation etc, basically you can see a whole story written in one photo. I like that and how each photo I take has meaning, whether others understand that meaning or not. I like seeing how people smile after they see a photo and realise it is actually them seen in a different light.
What do you wish you'd learned about photography earlier?
SO MANY THINGS. How hard it is to get a job in the creative industry when they expect you to have so much experience. Also, people think they can take the same photos themselves now, especially with AI becoming more well-known. It's heartbreaking, as I said before, we see different things and you can capture things you wouldn't think of capturing. That you don't need a degree, they'll judge your work personally, which can be different to how you judge it, and no job really requires one unless you're wanting to go into a specific niche of photography.
Also, remembering how to actually use a camera. I'm still unsure about f-stops and stuff like that, especially with the brain fog, I feel like I need to try and learn all over again. The main one is imposter syndrome, which will tell you you're never good enough, you're not confident enough, no one will like your photos etc.
You might not get business straight away if you work for yourself, and it takes time to get a trusting customer base that will recommend you (I'm still waiting and hoping for this part).
Where is your favourite place for photography?
I love using a studio. I feel most at ease, in control and safe in a studio, I feel less like an imposter and more confident. I think it bounces onto the model and makes my photography even better. I also like photographing with my shoes off as I feel more grounded and supported, and that's hard to do in other places!
Do you have a favourite photographic technique?
I like taking advantage of shadows and photographing close-ups of bodies, skin and faces and notice the details.
Can you briefly outline your approach to image processing?
I like unedited images. I may adjust the colours, but that's it. I sometimes adjust the contrast a little to put the focus on the part of the photo I'd like you to focus on.
What's your favourite lens?
At the moment it’s my trusty 18-55mm.
Do you have a favourite accessory?
I won a BlackRapid hand strap and it's changed my life as I hate holding a camera around my neck
Have you found the perfect camera bag yet?
I wish! I'd love to see someone design camera bags for those who are chronically ill/disabled as the weight of a camera in a bag gets painful after a while.
Which photographers have influenced or inspired you, and how or why?
Nan Goldin, is an LGBTQIA+ advocate and activist, reflecting this in her work. Her work is real, raw and varied in who she photographs. Lilia Li-Mi-Yan shoots everyday women. I love her work, especially the collection called Mature Beauty. I'd also like to mention Diane Arbus, Imogen Cummings and Melody Melamed for their portrait work. I love work that focuses on those who aren't the societal standard of beauty. I also really like the work of Artist Jenny Saville, she has been a big inspiration in my work.
Please recommend 2 or 3 female photographers to follow on Instagram
Melody Melamed @melodymelamedfoto, Julia SH @juliashoots, Anna Neubauer @annaneubauer_photography
Is there a camera, lens or accessory that you don't have yet but you'd like to buy at some point?
I am looking into upgrading my camera body, but I’m unsure what to get yet! Has to be Nikon though!
Is there a genre of photography that you love but that you haven't tried yet?
I would love to do street photography; however, I'm not brave enough to take photos of people without asking and I'm not brave enough to ask yet.
What's your proudest photographic moment?
I don't just have one. I was published in Performance VW in 2016, I got to document my time in Kenya in 2013 and I'm proud of all the work I created at university.
If you could have one superpower that could help you with photography, what would it be?
To create money out of thin air, too vain? I would LOVE my own photography studio, but unfortunately, that requires money. My other superpower would probably be that the editing software I use is free for life, and doesn't have AI on it. But a girl can dream, right?
Your favourite baked goods are?
Cinnamon buns or lemon meringue. Depends on the season.
Please tell us a little about yourself
Oh god. This question makes me forget everything about myself. I'm a plus-size, queer woman who strongly supports inclusion and representation for those who aren't deemed 'beautiful' in today's society. Just as I left university with a Master's and hope, Covid hit, and so I missed out on the opportunity to apply for graduate jobs and a lot of experience due to the country shutting down. I now live with mental health issues and chronic illnesses such as Fibromyalgia and anxiety, which also make it hard to work. I would love to work for myself, with my own studio; however, that's far off yet. I also have four cats, who take up a lot of my time, plus I care for my dad.
I love reading, crocheting and taking care of my houseplants too. I'm trying to find the energy and time to get back into photography and find people to photograph.
