Today we’d like to introduce you to Haley Rome.
Hi Haley, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Hi! 🙂 I am a Destination Wedding & Elopement Photographer that lives and grew up in a small town called Granby, in Connecticut. I graduated from Roger Williams University in May of 2020 with a major in public relations and a minor in dance performance.
As covid took the world by surprise and brought us in lockdown in March of 2020, I was stuck at school in my apartment with a few friends until about June. Social media apps such as Tiktok started to blow up. This is when dancing on TikTok started going viral and with my background in dance, I got right on the app and started posting multiple TikToks a day since there was NOTHING else to do! I quickly gained a good amount of followers – about 30,000. A few small business brands had reached out but this didn’t really go anywhere as graduation was around the corner, I went home, and was trying to just focus on getting a job. This is when I slowly stopped Tiktok.
Following graduation… I had a huge struggle to find ANY sort of job because of the journey covid took us all on. I was applying to social media jobs, influencer management opportunities, etc. NOTHING had openings or gave me a chance. A few people I grew up with had reached out to me to take photos for them since they knew my passion was photography and videography since I was young and I was pretty good at it for someone that taught themselves. My aunt asked me to be their photographer for her dance studio’s picture day, my family friend asked me to take corporate photos and headshots at her finance firm, etc. At this point, I was borrowing a friend’s camera and was using it on auto because I had no clue what I was doing or how to work a camera! I had been using my phone all my life for photos and videos.
As I try to wrap up my unnecessary long story… I will try to get to the point! I started following photographers on Instagram and 90% of them were wedding and couple photographers. As I looked at their content I was AMAZED, to say the least. I realized that there are actually people, and I mean creators, like real creative people behind the idea/concept of these photos that we all pin on Pinterest showing the love between two people so magically in love. IMMEDIATELY I knew this is what my career was going to be. I never realized that I could take my passion and make a real and successful career out of it but had I known that I would’ve started wedding photography as early as 12 years old haha.
I immediately created an Instagram account and started offering free shoots to couples. I looked up and studied as much as I can about how to shoot a manual/how to create a business/ etc. once I started getting some traction within just a few weeks I created my own website – which you can find at www.haleyrome.com. I worked as hard as I could and for 6 months reached out to photographers that needed second shooters for weddings and got as much experience as I could. Over that summer I photographed about 16 weddings! As fall was hitting, I wanted to get more involved in the community and start building my travel portfolio so I could qualify to offer destination weddings and elopements. I invested in multiple photography retreats. I met some INCREDIBLE people and now lifelong best friends from those few days. It has also given me so many new opportunities and bookings. I now have multiple travel weddings booked for this next year of 2022 and am working on booking many many more!
I’ve learned so much but have SO much more to experience! I can’t wait for what this next year holds.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Starting your own business from scratch is never smooth! I quit my jobs and took all of my savings and immediately built my business/brand from the ground up. It’s been hard but I have an incredible support system from my friends, family, and amazing boyfriend!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Haley Rome Photo?
I am a destination Wedding + Elopement photographer. I specialize in creating still photographs from a genuine moment that matters. I capture photos that emulate those feelings of home. When you look at my photos, you can feel the compassion and love they had for each other at that moment.
My goal is simple – for my couples to be fully in the moment with one another and I’ll do the rest.
Photography is the investment of a lifetime, one that tells your story for years to come. Whether this is a special photoshoot or a momentous wedding day, these photos will live on forever. Think forty years from now, when your children’s children are looking at each of these, flipping through the moments of your life that mean so much to you. Photos are heirlooms that will be passed down through time, which is why it is incredibly important that my work reflects the moments that mean so much, the passion and energy that define you.
I think what helps me stand out from others is my background in dance and public relations. It helps me take my experience of following a story that’s so beautiful and narrating it into a memory that will last a lifetime.
The next dream I’m working towards is to work with clothing company’s that align with my style like AE and Ghandi Clothing. I want to travel and create styled shoots that emphasize these brands’ products!
Contact Info:
- Email: haley@haleyrome.com
- Website: https://www.haleyrome.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haleyromephoto/
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/Haleyromephoto/_created/
Image Credits
haleyromephoto
