"When you find your why, you find a way to make to make it happen"
-ERIC THOMAS
In everything you do in life, you should do it for a purpose that fulfills you mentally. What are your passions in life? What is your driving force to push you pursue your passion? Finding your "why" will help push you to be successful with goals you have set, it will help you stay focused and it will help give you purpose. Finding your why will bring more positive vibes into your life and into others lives as well because you are moving through life with a sense of passion and purpose! I mean, what can be more fulfilling than that!
So what is my why and how did I find it? Practice what you preach, right? I have find my why for many different areas in my life. Alright y'all today I'm going to get personal and I'm going to talk about my why for photography because that's what brought you here! I have many reasons why I do photography but lets start from the beginning...
Why did I choose to go into photography? Growing up, I truly was blessed with having the best childhood. We were able to travel, I was exposed to different cultures, we would go camping, go on adventures but most importantly, have so much fun as a family. To help explain my childhood growing up, I will tell you that my dad was a rock climber, a skier, skateboarder, adventure seeker, he was also in a couple bands through out the years (heavy metal and country) and just enjoyed living in the moment! He was also super involved with everything I did and helped make the most bad ass school projects and just made everything the best! Yes, my mom is awesome too, you will see why I have to explain my dad while growing up because that comes into play later on.
So moving forward from just family vibes growing up, I also was always the friend that brought my camera and took pictures of everyone living their best lives! All of these events include school dances, cheerleading, sporting events, parties, getting ready, y'all... it was ALWAYS a photoshoot. So I've always loved that aspect of just capturing the moment and just having fun while doing it! Although I loved the aspect of being able to look back at the photos, I still thought I was made to be a cosmetologist. So after high school, I packed my things and moved to Louisville, Kentucky to go to Paul Mitchell for cosmetology. I absolutely loved it! I graduated and was getting ready to take my final test! LIFE WAS GOOOOOD! I was 19, graduated from my trade school and had a life plan!
Fast forward to May 2014, I got my date to take my final test to become a cosmetologist, I turned 20 and my dad turned 50 since our birthdays are two days apart! That is probably why we were so close; well with contributing factor that I am also his youngest and only girl, which I'm sure you can assume I was a daddy's girl through and through. Besties forever! We ended up having a surprise 50th for my dad and it was amazing! Well about 2 weeks after that, I was woke up to the news that my dad had passed in a tragic motorcycle accident. At the time I was still living with my dad, I felt like I was still a teenager because it was the same month I turned 20, I just graduated cosmetology school so I didn't have a job; basically to sum it up, from that moment on, my world was flipped. Yes, it will be one of the toughest things I will probably have to go through but if you are going through this now, I promise you can get through it. Without getting to much into detail, let me bring this to a full circle moment of what my why is...
Why am I a photographer? Throughout the years, I learned that the only thing that truly helped me get through any kind of hard day I was having was to go back to the photos we took through life before he passed away. It brought him back to life for me, I was able to relive that moment. But also my dad had taught me throughout my lifetime that you will never work a day in your life if you do what you love, he truly lived life to the fullest without looking back. This is what pushed me to lean into my passion of photography. I ended up going to school at Antonelli College for Photography. Towards the end of our time there, they had us choose our business names. I immediately knew I wanted to be able to incorporate my why into the name. As you all know, my name is Haley but what some of y'all don't know, my dads name is Douglas. That is how I formed Haley Douglas Photography and why that name makes me feel empowered, gives me a reminder of why I am doing what I'm doing and also felt as if it was a way to carry on my dads legacy.
I had to share the back story for you to understand my journey and my "why". My "why" is to be able to create memories while capturing you and your family. I am so passionate about getting in the moment and also take gorgeous photos so you are able to go back into the moment no matter how much time as passed. I want you to vividly remember the day and the laughter. I want you to be able to look at these pieces of art that we capture and be able to go back in time. I want to also remind everyone to follow their passions and just let go in the moment! As time goes on, my "why" gets stronger and I appreciate life moments event more. After reading my story on how I found my why, I hope it inspires you to find your "why" in life. It can be anything from kids, past traumas, goodness in your heart, passion, anything! I just want us all to be successful, happy and healthy! Find your "why" and never turn back! I CAN'T WAIT TO LIVE LIFE WITH Y'ALL! LETS GO!
