Today we’d like to introduce you to Haylee Fritz
Hi Haylee, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
The interest in photography started when I was in 8th grade. ( about 13 years old )I lived in the outskirts of Festus, Missouri,
was brand new to the school. It was the first time I had ever been introduced to clubs, and extra curricular sim school. I hated pretty much all options – except for my photography club. They gave us these small silver digital cameras – kind of like the ones that you see families use when they go to the zoo – before cellphones of course. They let us play with them and I immediately got obsessed with how it worked. What kind of photos to take. I honestly hated taking photos of school functions. I was more into taking pictures of my friends and flowers. Things that caught my eye. I don’t even think if I worked on the book at all honestly.
Then when I was in Highschool ( sophomore year so I’d say about 15 years old ) took year book class. Again – was NOT into the yearbook thing. Was way more into the art so I’m sure my yearbook teachers loved me cause I did absolutely 0 work in year book and used the camera for fun things instead of for what they were given to me to do.
I was 17 years old when my mom bought me my first ever camera. A Canon Rebel T5 – $200 off of market place with a kit lense 18-55mm f4.0. Thinking back it was not the set up I ever wanted to start with – but I was grateful none the less. I used the lense for about a year and since worked a lot in my teens so I saved up money to buy a 50mm F 2.8 and WOW did the quality change. And so did my creative eye. Every time my camera grew – my brain did too.
I was 18 years old when I started working with a wedding video company. I didn’t do a whole lot like I do now. I helped take videos and later on I started learning how to edit. As I was struggling in college – I was thriving in my photography and video. I worked with the company on and off for a couple years and gained a lot of not only creative knowledge – but wedding etiquette AND standing up for myself.
I was 20 years old when Covid happened. It shut everything down. I lost my in person tutoring and teaching. I lost my model friends. I lost wedding gigs. I lost pretty much all creative outlets except for photography class. I lived with my aunt and uncle and their 3 kids ( under 13 at the time ) while covid happened as I was trying to go to school and still work while I was able to. I didn’t do any photography prompts they asked of me however I did take a ton of pictures of the girls and learned my camera inside and out.
After Covid I moved into an apartment on my own and started becoming an adult. I was working full time at starbucks and working weddings on the side. I was an extremely cheap photographer so I did a lot of friends weddings to build my portfolio.
On and off I couldn’t be consistent with the business until 1 day – after the birth of my first child I was determined to make it work. And I kept working almost every weekend I could.
In 2022, I started getting more clients and booking. In 2023 I started calling off of work because I was getting jobs that paid more then the current miserable day job I had.
In 2024 I started a new day job that gave me more freedom. Everything was fine until May, 2024, I learned I was 3 months pregnant and before I could tell my job they had to let me go due to budget cuts.
Feeling like a failure I got very depressed. I didn’t know if I could even handle my business while pregnant and sick. I have been sick majority of my pregnancy. A month into the job loss my husband suggested I go full time with photography. The first few weeks after that it was miserable. Things were getting expensive. People weren’t buying even the flash sales I had.
Then suddenly – in the heat of July 2024 – I decided to start doing TFPs with Saint Louis models! And that I had no idea would launch my entire career.
In August I had my books almost completely filled up till October. I was picking up last minute weddings. While also advancing in my creative talents. Halloween is rolling around and I’m coming out with cooler and cooler things. I even worked with an influencer who had a huge following. And since then I have been the busiest I have ever been. When I thought my pregnancy was going to pull me down ( because I had a lot of complications and prenatal depression all on top ) it actually lifted me. And motivated me more.
Early October my first ever horror set was chosen to be published in the carnival of ink magazine. My first ever publishing! Everyone knows my name almost now. I’ve talked to bigger photographers I never thought I’d ever reach to the level of talking to. And I’m flourishing.
I also have a ton of content and work built up to post and advertise during my maternity leave so I can start the new year off just as huge. I already have 4 big events scheduled for next year! At this point we’re anticipating a full year of work! Which any self taught photographer would know is a huge goal in itself.
I also couldn’t have done any of this without the support from family, my amazing friend who I met through a photography trade for nails ( I’ve met the most precious people through my career alone ), and all the creatives in STL that answered questions or modeled for me, and especially my supportive and wonderful clientele.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not. Consistency was hard in the beginning. Then you tack on having a kid and getting married – life seems to get away from you. And you feel like your dreams are on pause. But when my kiddo turned 3 months I realized I had to do something more then the job I had currently. It was not easy making money at the time. And when my career started taking off – I was pregnant with pre natal depression. And I had to fight so hard to not let it get to me. Or let me get in the head space that I couldn’t do it.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
So I was known for my wedding work. Weddings really helped me flourish and I loved capturing people’s special moments.
Then after having a kid I started doing birth and maternity photos and WOW did that become a niche.
Lately I’ve been falling more into the editorial style of life and that is what has been getting my published and known the most. I’m still extremely into birth as well. And weddings. But editorial gives me the freedom to express myself. And it’s really been the key to a lot of my success.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I love the creative atmosphere. I think Saint Louis really does not get the credit it deserves for the amount of talent this city carries and has. I wish we were a known place for creatives because there is so much out here. So many photo spots as well. A lot of beautiful opportunities.
Least that I like is probably the traffic and the road conditions which I’m sure any Saint Louis resident can a test to. I think some of our most beautiful locations get forgotten and neglected. It’s really sad to see.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hayleesuecreationsllc.pixieset.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haylee.sue.creations
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/9HdVzFKXzJ2uo94X/
