From Successful Wedding Photographer to Professional Headshot Specialist!
Long before I photographed my first wedding in the year 2000, I was already hooked on capturing life through a lens. As a teenager, I documented everything, concerts, family moments, adventures with friends, always with a camera in hand.
In high school I discovered my love for studying the art of photography and learned to develop my own photos in the darkroom. That experience sparked something in me, and I knew early on that photography wasn’t just a hobby, it was truly my passion.
After high school, I was excited to get the opportunity to work in photo labs for Rabbit Photo, where I developed an eye for colour, tone, and the technical side of printing. But I quickly realised that retail wasn’t for me. I wasn’t out taking photos, I was developing photos for other people. I wanted something more creative and meaningful.
While working a secure job in the insurance industry, I began photographing weddings on weekends. I loved being part of such a special day in people’s lives. It was during those years I learned how to run a successful photography business, from planning and logistics to making people feel at ease and capturing them at their very best.
After many years of photographing weddings, family portraits and newborn shoots, a new opportunity came along, commercial photography. I began assisting on a wide variety of projects: fashion, product shoots, industrial work, sporting events, dance performances, scientific documentation and environmental campaigns. This was a whole new world, and it challenged me in all the right ways.
It was during this time I discovered my true niche: professional headshots and corporate portraiture. I became intrigued with lighting, how subtle changes can completely transform a portrait. I studied, experimented and eventually crafted a style that felt like mine. But more than just lighting and posing, I found I had a knack for making people feel confident and comfortable in front of the camera. That to me, is the real magic.
In 2012 I became the first professional photographer in Brisbane to specialise in onsite corporate headshots and I now work with a growing list of loyal clients throughout Brisbane, Logan and the Gold Coast. From small businesses to large global teams, I’m proud to be the trusted partner they rely on for consistent, professional and personable results. This is how I evolved from being a Successful Wedding Photographer to Professional Headshot Specialist!
It’s now 2025 and I am Celebrating 25 years working as a Professional Photographer!
If you would like me to photograph professional headshots for yourself or your team, lets have a chat – hayley@headshotspro.com.au