Today we’d like to introduce you to Haleigh Hamilton.
Hi Haleigh, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Ever since I can remember, I wanted to be an elementary school teacher. I went to college and graduated in 2016 with my Early Childhood Degree in Kent, Ohio. Throughout college, I love taking photos on my phone and always had a creative side. Photos meant memories and something to have to look back on. I started nannying for an amazing family right after college because I couldn’t find a teaching job. The mom that I nanny for also did photography as a hobby and kind of pushed me to get my own camera. During this time, I started to travel more to fun places like Park City, Utah. I had gotten my first camera for this trip. I told myself that I just wanted to take photos of my 3 dogs (I have 3 Labs) and bring my camera with me on trips. I remember I had told one of my friends, who also did photography as a hobby, that I was never going to start a photography business.
However, fast forward, to a year later, I have grown to love having the flexibility that nannying gave me. I learned that photography can also give me the flexibility that I want, that teaching cannot. I knew that I could still use my teaching and nannying background with family photography. I wanted to be able to travel to fun places and take photos of dogs in unique places, so I just jumped straight into photography and haven’t looked back.
I have a huge passion for dogs. I started photographing my dogs more and more using my new camera and did some free sessions for local dogs too. I quickly realized that dog photography was a thing in the Instagram world and that’s when I realized that photographing dogs was what I wanted to do. I absolutely love it. I love creating memories for my clients that they can cherish for a lifetime. Unfortunately, dogs don’t live forever. As much as I wish they did. I want my clients to look back on the professional photos that I took and be able to feel their dog’s fur again, to remember what it was like when their pup licked their face. I firmly believe things happen for a reason. Finding dog photography was one of them. In one of my first paid sessions, I knew that this is what I am meant to do with my life. I am meant to capture special moments and create bonds with dogs and humans that I know I can cherish as well.
That is when I decided to just go for it! I upgraded my gear to a mirrorless camera, invested more into my photography education, and kept shooting while being a full-time nanny. Fast forward to Winter 2021, we found out we were moving to Bluffton, SC from Akron, Ohio. Moving had been a dream of ours for 3+ years but there has never been a good time. Looking back, there is never a good time to do anything. You just have to do it! I had no idea how dog-friendly this area was till I visited. I fell in love with Bluffton and the Lowcountry, to say the least. I am so excited to see the potential that I can have here, along with all the fun places to take photos of dogs at! I am so thankful to be in this gorgeous city and to see how my business grows here in Bluffton.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Yes and no. I started out doing couples and family photography. I realized that I wanted to be unique and do something different, which lead me to dog photography. I worked really hard to stand out and build up my business in Ohio. Since moving to Bluffton, it has been a little bit of a challenge. However, I knew I could do it.
I built my business from the ground up in Ohio and I could do the same thing here in the Lowcountry. I always knew it was important to make connections with local small businesses and I love to support locals. I started reaching out to small dog businesses before I even moved here. Jaime, the owner of Woof Gang Bakery Palmetto, was nice enough to take me under her wing and allow me to do a pop-up Christmas photoshoot while I was visiting one weekend and I was able to start building relationships with clients this way. I am currently working to build up my reputation in the dog community as well as in family and couples’ photography! It is all about putting yourself out there and building relationships with your local community. I know it will take time to build myself up here but I am patient and soaking in the process along the way.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I own Charley Mae Dog Photography. My business name is actually named after my chocolate lab, Charley or Charley Mae when she is in trouble Haha!
I specialize in dog photography, Engagements, and Family Photos. I am known for giving my clients a phenomenal experience from start to finish. I reach out via phone to start off by getting to know my clients. I want to build a professional relationship with my clients and truly get to know them, their families, and their pets.
With dogs, I want the pup to have all the loving and the spotlight. This led me to create a Birthday Package for dogs! Who doesn’t want to have a birthday photoshoot? Your pups get a customized dog-friendly cake from a local bakery, birthday balloons, and birthday cake, how cute! I love having families included in the photos too! I send out a detailed questionnaire that helps me get to know the dog and client. I want to know if your dog is reactive and needs a quiet space for photos. I cater to the dog’s needs and will go wherever we need to go to achieve this. I find out what motivates the dog and gets their attention. I also have a bag of goodies with me too. Don’t worry if your pup is hyper or overly excited. I send out a detailed session prep guide with suggestions to help you prep for your session and what to expect during your photoshoot. Specifically, I love going to places that have special meanings being it; for both dogs and engagements. Does your dog love to hike or go to your favorite outdoor restaurant? Let’s go there for some of your photos! I want my client’s photos to having meaning behind them and to capture those memories at your special places.
For my couples and families, I am all about making the experience cater to them. I ask on my questionnaire what music the families and couples like so I can play them at their session. This is perfect for small kiddos who love to sing and dance. I am much more of a candid type of photography vs posed. So, watching parents dance with their children at the beach to some fun songs is the best. For couples, songs allow my clients to have fun and relax with me or even grab a quick slow dance on the beach while I capture photos. I work with my clients on choosing their outfits and their location. I want them to feel like their best selves and show off their personalities. Couples and families are so much fun for me! I always send out a detailed questionnaire getting to know the couple and families as well as a detailed session prep guide on how to prepare for their session as well to know what to expect for their session and post-session.
I also started doing Boudoir photography which is so much fun! I plan to open up my own studio in the near future.
Lastly, I am so proud of myself for just following my gut and taking this business by the reigns and running with it. Being a business owner is tough but so worth it, especially when you go into it having no idea what you’re even doing. But that makes me prouder of myself! One thing I could ever say just does it. Whatever you have your mindset to, do it!
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I can’t thank Jen, the owner of Dogs of MKE enough for helping me throughout this process. She was local to Milwaukee, WI. I had found her on Instagram and asked her to be my mentor. I have learned so much about the business side of things through her as well as coming up with ideas on how to put myself out there as a dog photographer.
Jess, the owner of Milo and Me, in Lakewood, Ohio. She was one of my first cheerleaders in helping me build my business. She owns a small fashion/dog boutique local to me. We have done several pop-up photoshoots that have been so much fun such as a Fourth of July Themed photoshoot and a Back to School Photoshoot. The Back-to-School photoshoot was so much fun. All the dogs that signed up, dressed up in outfits as if they were going to have their school photo taken. Every dog got a class superlative, it was hilarious.
I can’t forget about the mother I nanny for. She has been a huge cheerleader and support system in building my business and that support doesn’t go unnoticed.
I also can’t thank my boyfriend enough for pushing me in my business and understanding my time away from him and my dogs to build my business. Starting out is tough, it is lots of long hours. But he has always been supportive of me and has never once complained about how busy I am with photography!
Pricing:
- Dog Birthdays start at $275
- Dog Sessions start at $235
- Engagements start at $250
- Boudoir starts at $600
- Families start at $250
Contact Info:
- Email: charleymaedogphotography@gmail.com
- Website: https://charleymaedogphotography.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charleymae.dogphotography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CharleyMaeDogPhotography
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/charley.mae.photography
