Rising Stars: Meet Hayley Ellis of Winston Salem

Today we’d like to introduce you to Hayley Ellis.

Hayley, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Growing up, art was always my outlet. In highschool, I completed a photography project for an art class and my teacher really loved my work! She encouraged me to pursue photography, and even let me sell baked goods in her class to help me raise money to purchase a DSLR.

After I graduated, I was doing a gap year and continuing to take photos just about every day. My art teacher passed away that year and I decided I would take her advice and attend college for photography. I went to RCC in Asheboro (drove 45 minutes to school and back every day) and majored in photographic technology with a concentration in commercial photography. This 2 year degree really took me 4 since I had to drop out after the first year due to health issues, and I returned to finish 2 years later. I finished school in 2020 and almost instantly had new clients flooding my inbox, which was shocking.

I really have taken an interest in working with small women owned businesses as I am extremely passionate about lifting up other women around me! I am so lucky I get to collaborate and bring other women’s visions to life as a career.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
When I mentioned dropping out of college due to health issues, this was truly a low point of my life. I was struggling with major depression, and anxiety and an eating disorder to top it all off. I had lost a concerning amount of weight in a. short time. I remember how my classmates would look at me and my teachers were pulling me to the side to ask me if I was okay. Watching all of my friends go back to start their 2nd year without me while I was in a hospital doing group therapy was soul crushing. Then seeing them go off to do cool internships and jumpstart their careers while I was living at home and in therapy twice a week made me feel so alone. I wouldn’t change it though, those 2 years were important and I continued to take photos and make connections with others in my community.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I do branding and product photography for feminine brands. I believe I am a very empathetic person and I am always making sure my clients feel seen and heard. I ask lots of questions, I show them the back of my camera as we’re shooting to be sure they are happy with how things are looking. I help with ideas, mood boards and posing to make sure we are getting exactly what they envisioned! A lot of my clients who have confided in me with their struggles with confidence, body dysmorphia, etc. say that no one photographs them like I can, and that makes me just so happy. I just want everyone to feel beautiful.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Nope!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thedaisystudios.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedaisystudios/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pink.daisies