Today we’d like to introduce you to Haley Roberts.
Hi Haley, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Of course! Hey hey, I’m Haley — a photographer, creative, and content creator from NY, now living in Mount Pleasant! I’m very excited to be here. 🙂
I’ve loved photography for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I was always looking for ways to be creative, and with family members who loved photography too, it felt natural for me to pick up a camera.
I’ve also always had a love for the beach. It’s been one of my favorite places for as long as I can remember (and honestly, one of the reasons I moved here!). Spending so much time there really shaped how I see the world. It taught me to pay attention to the small details, like the way the light changes, the calmness, the movement, and that way of seeing naturally carried over into the way I tell stories through photography.
The beach has always made me feel super calm, and when I am carefree and relaxed, that is when I am at my most creative, or honestly, when I have an iced coffee with vanilla syrup and almond milk in hand too. (obviously) @Lodicoffee and @summitcoffee I am your biggest fan.
I started out capturing anything and everything, using whatever camera I had at the time, even just my iPhone. A few years ago, I got my first real camera, a Nikon Zfc, and that’s when I really started to learn how to use it. About two years ago, I upgraded to my Sony and taught myself through a lot of trial and error, running around the beach, photographing friends, experimenting, and figuring things out as I went.
Along the way, I worked in customer service, retail, and social media, and all of those experiences shaped me more than I realized at the time. They taught me how to connect with people, how to listen, and how to tell stories that feel genuine and relatable, which is at the heart of my photography and content creation today.
Creating Instagram Reels and videos has also become a big part of how I tell stories! I love that it is a different way to capture moments, not just through photos, but through movement, sound, and a different kind of feeling.
I also lived in New York City for a few years, and that experience challenged me creatively in the best ways. Being surrounded by so much energy and creativity pushed me to grow, think differently, and chase after my passion more seriously.
Attending photography retreats on the beaches of the Outer Banks in North Carolina (@the_saltwater_retreat) has been another huge part of my journey. Connecting with other creatives, learning new techniques, and sharing inspiration helped me sharpen my skills and gain confidence in my work. Truly one of the best experiences of my life! (Not shedding a tear.)
I’m also so grateful for the people who have given me opportunities to grow along the way. You know who you are. 🙂 Every bit of encouragement, trust, and support has played a part in getting me to where I am today, and it means more than I can put into words.
Photography has always been a passion, but over time, content creation became a huge part of my journey too. Now, they are both how I connect with people, tell stories, and freeze little moments in time. I am grateful every day that something I loved so much as a kid has grown into a career that still feels just as exciting.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not really! I think a lot of creatives can relate, there are definitely moments when you second-guess yourself, experience imposter syndrome (not sure if that ever really goes away!), do a photoshoot and end up not loving the photos, or just hit a creative slump.
For a while, I was also in a job that felt the complete opposite of creative, when all I wanted was to be out taking photos, creating, and learning.
And honestly, even now, there are moments where I wonder, “Will I ever reach my goals? Will I actually get there?” I’m still working toward where I ultimately want to be — and that’s one of the best parts about being a creative. There’s always something bigger to dream about, more to build, and so much to look forward to. (I mean how exciting is that…!)
I’m super grateful for every challenge along the way because they’ve pushed me to keep growing… even though, honestly, some of them were pretty frustrating at the time. Whether it’s been self-doubt, slow seasons, or feeling creatively stuck, every struggle has taught me something important.
They’ve helped me trust my vision, stay patient, and keep growing into the creative and storyteller I want to be. And honestly, I hope I keep experiencing those challenges, because they’re what push me to keep getting better. (I promise I mean that)
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Honestly, I do a little bit of everything, such as brand shoots, engagements, proposals, events, product photography, headshots, and content creation.
Photography and content creation are both huge parts of what I do. Whether I’m photographing big moments or creating short-form content like Instagram Reels, TikToks, and brand videos, I love helping people tell their stories and bring their ideas to life in a real, creative way.
I love creating moments through my work. the little laughs, the quiet in-betweens, and everything you’ll want to remember later.
While I’m still growing, my ultimate goal is to create work I’m proud of and to make the entire process fun, easy, and memorable for everyone I get to work with.
What I’m most proud of is the way I’ve truly dove in creatively: starting to sell my own prints, going after the kinds of photography I genuinely love, and staying true to my vision without worrying about outside opinions.
In the beginning, I was out there shooting in full manual mode without even fully understanding what any of it meant. I’m completely self-taught, learning through trial, error, and a lot of passion (and honestly, I’m still learning every day). I really try my best not to settle when it comes to an edit. I’m determined to get my photos and edits to a place that feels true to the moment, true to the subject, and true to the story I’m trying to tell.
Over the last two years, I’ve really started turning photography into my career, selling my prints, and even hosting my own art gallery and fundraiser. Through that event, I was able to raise money for the Winthrop Hospital Neonatal Unit in honor of some very special angels in my family. <3
I also love making people feel like we’re just hanging out rather than being “photographed.” It might sound silly, but being in front of the camera can be a really vulnerable thing, and not everyone is immediately comfortable. Building that trust and making people feel at ease is a huge part of how I capture real, personal, and meaningful images.
I think what really sets me apart is how much I care about the story behind every photo. It’s not just about taking a nice picture; it’s about making sure the experience feels genuine, that whoever I’m working with feels seen and understood, and that it’s actually fun.
I want the process to feel relaxed and real, not like you’re doing a chore or posing for something stiff and uncomfortable. We can be silly, laugh a lot, and create something amazing without taking ourselves too seriously.
Through it all, I didn’t want outside opinions to influence the way I create or the kind of work I’m passionate about. Staying true to my creative vision has been one of the most important parts of my journey, and it’s what keeps photography exciting, personal, and meaningful for me.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I was really shy as a kid, but over time, especially during college, I started to step into who I really am and feel more confident being myself.
As a kid, I loved art class and painting. Looking back, art class was really the first way I was introduced to the creative world.
Out of curiosity, I asked my mom how she would describe me growing up, because, you know, moms always know best. She said: “Curious, determined, imaginative. You liked to do things your way because you didn’t always see things the way others did. You asked lots of questions because you wanted to understand. You were very expressive — dancing, singing, always moving. You were challenging sometimes, but it was because you knew what you wanted, and if it didn’t feel right, you wouldn’t settle.” (This is true!)
Looking back now, it’s funny how all of those things still show up in my work today! The curiosity, the determination, the need to create something that feels true. I think that little Haley, who loved to ask questions and see things differently, would be pretty proud of how far she’s come, and even more excited about where I’m going!! (ok maybe shedding a tear)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.haleyphotos.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haleyphotoss/
