We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Bailee Lewis a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Bailee with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
My work ethic is rooted in two main principles; my faith and my passion. My faith has influenced my tremendously in my photography as it not only encourages me to do everything as if I’m doing it for the Lord (Colossians 3:23-24), but it also really inspires me when it comes to working with people. I am really interested in showcasing the beauty of my clients and glorifying God through that. My desire is for everyone to feel confident and valuable, not because value is reliant on beauty, but because everyone was uniquely created with intent. My passion is another driving force for my work ethic because I truly love what I do and I cannot picture having any other career. Getting to be involved in something as meaningful as a wedding, exciting as a proposal, vulnerable as boudoir, as big of an achievement as graduation, all makes me feel incredibly honored. I am such a people person and getting to love others by capturing these moments and making them feel comfortable and supported during them, fulfills me. I want to work hard for my clients because they deserve it and getting to make art in these moments drives me to push myself to not only give them the best experience, but beautifully cinematic images to cherish forever.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am a photographer that specializes in weddings and portraits of all kinds. I am based in Arizona but love traveling especially if it means I get to take photos. My style consists of timeless yet subtly retro images that are both modern and nostalgic at the same time with contrasty muted tones with rich pops of color. I aim to shoot photos that feel cinematic and intimate with an overall moody tone. I am all about prioritizing delivering photos that the client will feel confident in, not just those where the lighting is good or the composition is nice. Nothing is worse than getting photos taken to see them and hate how you look, so I have studied poses and angles that truly showcase the natural beauty of my subjects.
For fellow photographers I also provide services that they might benefit from. Not only do I offer headshots and branding shoots but I host content days and offer mentorships. Content days are styled photoshoots that usually include 3-5 different shooting set-ups for photographers to take photos for advertising, to build their portfolio and to network. It is really beneficial to photograph a controlled environment with aesthetic styling to draw in your dream client that has a similar aesthetic to you.
I have also been taking on more out of state/country shoots and weddings and cannot wait to travel for clients all around the world.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The first most impactful element of my journey would be the quality of making others feel comfortable and at ease. Having your photos taken can be really vulnerable and intimidating so creating a welcoming and comfortable space for clients is so important. I have received feedback from several clients that they were dreading their photoshoots but they left the shoot surprised at how easy it was and that the experience turned out far more positive than they anticipated. The second would be my editing skills. If you are starting out as a photographer, I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to take the time to master Photoshop and Lightroom Classic. Editing is critical in developing your style and just perfecting the photos you give your clients. The third would be taking risks and investing in your business even if you are not making money off of that risk immediately. By this I mean, traveling and offering free shoots to build your portfolio, attending styled shoots/content days or even stylizing your own shoots even if you have to spend a little bit, reaching out to strangers to model, and also being willing to set prices higher when the time comes. All of these things can be scary but might open doors for you that you didn’t see possible. Also don’t be afraid to reach out to others in the field. Some photographers can be cold as they view everyone as competition but others are open and willing to offer help and advice if you just ask.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
I am always looking to collaborate with other businesses and creatives especially when hosting content days. These shoots are meant to mimic elopements, weddings, engagements and creative portraits so I am always on the hunt for props, clothing, decor, florals, models, etc to bring my vision to life. Anyone from a dress rental company, florist, classic car rentals, venues, models, bakers, stylists, to anyone that would want to be involved in a content day or retreat are always welcome to reach out on Instagram @baileelewisphotography or email [email protected] to get in touch about potentially collaborating.
Contact Info:
- Website: baileelewisphotography.com
- Instagram: @baileelewisphotography
- Other: tiktok: @baileelewisphotography
Image Credits
Bailee Lewis
