We recently connected with Haylee McDaniel and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Haylee, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
Finding my purpose as a photographer came very naturally to me. I have always loved being a part of a community and quickly realized that photography offered me a purpose and important role. After doing years of practice in my earlier stages, I looked into possibly creating something out of it. This began with doing research on what photographers around me offered to gain inspiration on pricing and delivery expectations. I quickly realized how much of a luxury it was for families, couples, and newly weds to capture their memories and decided I would be different! I believe that every persons special moments are worth my time, allowing myself to offer affordable photos at an extended rate. I mean if I am going through all of the photos anyway, why would I only commit to sending ten of them?
I have another career that I rely on for my living expenses which has allowed this passion of mine to thrive! With all of this in mind, I started valuing connection over price. Simply seeing a couple turn into a family, to celebrating the first birthday of a once newborn, just makes it worth it. People often encourage me to raise prices as I grow, but the whole point is to grow without having a negative effect on my client base!
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m a photographer, and for me, the most meaningful part of my work is the connection I get to build with people. There’s something incredibly special about being invited into someone’s life to capture their milestones; whether it’s a new baby, a wedding, or simply a moment they want to remember. What makes my journey even more rewarding is seeing families grow over time, while they’ve also witnessed my growth as an artist and business owner. That shared history is beautiful.
Although I officially restarted my photography business in August of 2024, my relationship with the camera began back in 2018. It hasn’t been a straight path, I’ve faced plenty of challenges, but what’s kept me going is the support I feel with every single booking. Each session isn’t just another appointment on the calendar; it’s a reminder that someone believes in my work, and that belief fuels everything I do.
I’m excited for what’s ahead as I continue to rebuild and expand. My focus right now is on creating a client experience that feels personal and lasting. I want people to walk away with more than just beautiful images, I want them to feel seen, celebrated, and cared for. There’s more to come, and I’m just getting started.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back, the three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey are motivation, confidence, and pride. In the beginning, I struggled deeply with social anxiety, so much so that even the simplest conversations would replay in my mind for days. That made starting as a young entrepreneur on social media at just 15 years old incredibly overwhelming. I felt like a “wannabe,” constantly doubting whether I had what it took.
But with time, I found the courage to prove myself wrong. I pushed through the anxiety, began meeting with dozens of families, and eventually stopped feeling dread the day before every session. One of my proudest moments has been embracing who I am and showing up authentically; that’s what’s helped me build strong connections and welcome both new and returning clients over the past year.
My advice to anyone just starting out? Don’t let the fear of judgment be stronger than your fear of never trying. It took me a while to get over the embarrassment of promoting myself in front of my peers, but I realized that visibility is part of growth. I also credit a lot of my motivation to my roots. Entrepreneurship runs in my blood. From my cousin’s salon (AR Beauty & Aesthetics) to my dad’s tile business (McDaniel Tile & Stone), and even my nana’s new baked goods booth at the Harrisonville farmers market (Cindy’s Bread Basket), I’ve seen firsthand how possible it is to turn passion into something real. Now, getting to inspire others who once felt like I did is one of the most rewarding parts of this journey.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
The person who’s been most influential in helping me overcome challenges and build the skills I needed is my dad. He’s the one who truly showed me what it means to be a business owner. Since I was young, he’s lived by the motto, “Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life,” and that mindset stuck with me. Because of him, I began to recognize not only my strengths but also my weaknesses—and how both could be used to build something meaningful. At this point, I’ve become what some would call a “woman of all trades,” and that’s because of the example he set.
Though I am in college to be an educator, I have learned that everyone is looking for something and as humans we should always be learning how to help one another. My dad has installed so much advice into my daily life; Whether it’s through late-night FaceTime calls, long text messages filled with advice, or even the occasional disagreement about business, he’s constantly been there. More than anything, he’s helped me understand my worth—not just in terms of pricing my services, but in knowing my value as a person. His work ethic, encouragement, and belief in me have made all the difference.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://unscriptedphotographers.com/hayleesphotograph
- Instagram: hayleesphotograph
- Facebook: Haylee’s Photography
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