Life & Work with Joanne Hayes

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joanne Hayes. 

Hi Joanne, 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.
Ever since I can remember, I’ve always had a camera in my hand. It took many jobs to realize capturing images was my passion. I started at a commercial studio in Woodbridge, NJ, then moved to a boutique studio in Kingston, NJ. Combining these experiences gave me the confidence to begin my own entrepreneurial journey. As a stay-at-home mom, I started the business and accepted clients that fit my schedule. Fast forward 17 years and many lessons and experiences later, our family moved to Charlotte, my husband’s childhood city. Once we got settled, I knew I had to put myself out there. Charlotte has no shortage of meet-ups and networking events, and I have met friends, mentors, other creatives at these fun meetings. Charlotte’s creative vibe is palpable, from murals to improv shows, fashion shoots to artist galleries, and everything in between. I’m a proud member of the Professional Photographers of North Carolina, the Charlotte Fashion Collective, and Charlotte is Creative to name a few. Talk about being in the right place at the right time! 

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Being in a new city definitely has its challenges. How do I put my work out there, and where to begin? Once I started exploring the city, it was clear to see how vibrant the artistic vibe is in Charlotte and its surrounding areas. You can see it on buildings and neighborhoods and that unmistakable Southern hospitality. It seems easy to start a conversation here and get to know people. I’m open to possibilities because you never know where one interaction can take you. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I photograph Love (family, maternity), Action (basketball, sports), Fashion (portfolio), School (content), and Events (coverage). In the beginning, I specialized in family, maternity, and newborn photography. Before social media or having a website, I relied solely on word of mouth. One of my proud moments was when I photographed a home birth. I remember getting the call that morning and had 10 minutes to spare before the baby was born. This was one of the most memorable, emotional, and empowering moment as a photographer. When my boys were younger, they attended the Institute of Music for Children in Elizabeth, NJ, and they hired me to photograph the students’ activities for marketing purposes. I worked with them for over 10 years and have made lifelong friendships. I’m a basketball mom, and since I was around basketball for many years, I decided to concentrate on action photography during the quarantine. I realized how much I loved being on the sidelines and close to the action. What parent doesn’t want to memorialize that game-winning shot? In any situations I photograph, my hope is to capture the emotions of the moment; so that when they look back on it, it’ll take them right to that moment in time. With this in mind, I know that my work is meaningful, and that makes me proud. 

What do you think about luck?
Since moving to Charlotte, I feel lucky and blessed to be a part of this vibrant city. My sweet mother-in-law used to send me magazines about Charlotte long before we started planning the move. I wouldn’t be surprised if she is guiding me now from heaven. I’m grateful for my sister-in-law, who’s helped me get my business started in North Carolina. Most of all, I’ve got the loudest cheerleader in my corner, my husband. His unflinching support from day one has been the greatest gift. I’m able to work on my business full time now that he’s retired and devoted his time with the kids’ activities. I feel like I’ve only just begun. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.johayimages.com
• Instagram: @johayesimages
• Facebook: Jo Hayes
• Yelp: Jo Hay Images

Image Credits
Leah Custer Photography
Photography by J Lewis