Life & Work with Hailey Benson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Hailey Benson.

Hi Hailey, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
When I got pregnant with my first son, I couldn’t really dance as much as I used to… but I still needed a creative outlet. I bought a Rebel T5i camera off FB Marketplace without really knowing anything about it and decided to jump into photography. It seriously has been a saving grace getting to create with the most beautiful and amazing people. It’s like therapy for me!

When I’m in the moment, I’m in the moment fully, I forget about any worries or stress and just focus and create. It’s amazing to look back and see how far I’ve come in my photography and how much my editing style has changed.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Having Irish twins (11 months apart) was definitely bumpy with being able to shoot as much, but luckily my husband has always been super supportive of me and my dreams so he would watch the kiddos for me to go create.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a local photographer and creative in East Mesa. I am a women-owned local small business as well. I am typically known for being able to shoot whatever is thrown at me ha!

I have shot anything from boudoirs to weddings to family to birth photography and the list could go on and on. I truly have a passion for what I do and am able to capture precious memories and moments so that my clients can enjoy them while I capture them.

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I would say good luck and bad luck played a role during COVID for a few reasons. I felt the push to get out of my postpartum fog and depression after having my first and going from working to being strictly at home with my kiddo.

What I started doing was getting my first camera used by a photographer with actual zero ideas on how to use it and really put my mind to the test, everything I know now has been 100% self-taught.

I didn’t even know there were classes or online things to enroll in to learn more which makes me pretty proud because I had zero help. It was a slow start during COVID but picked up pretty quickly as I started charging super minimal prices just to expand my portfolio once I finished doing free shoots for people.

Pricing:

• $85 – PROMO 15-minute sessions
• $165- Mini Session: 30 min
• $265- Standard Session: 1 hour
• $365- Deluxe Session: 2 hours
• Weddings, Birth + Special Events- PM required

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ashandbophotography.mypixieset.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashandbophotography
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashandbophotography

Image Credits
Ash + Bo Photography