Check Out Abbey Bailey’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Abbey Bailey.

Hi Abbey, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
When I was younger, I always had an interest in visual storytelling. During when I was supposed to pay attention in my classes, I would think about how using colors and different types of shots and styles of setting can reflect the tone and energy of the moment. Growing up, my mom had a camera and she would take pictures on all our vacations and she got me a mini digital camera so I could be like her. And while I can’t tell you where that camera is now, I can tell you that it taught me some skills about putting different things in focus and how perspective can change what certain objects look like in pictures. I loved having the ability to capture memories. Whether it was taking silly pictures of my friends, mythical looking landscapes while traveling, or pictures of my dogs, I wanted to have a way to keep the things that are important to me in my life. As someone who plans on going into the film industry, it seemed like photography was a stepping stone for where my heart really lies.

My mom gave me her camera in spring of 2024, and I brought it to Belmont University, so I could take some pictures of Nashville or do cute photoshoots with friends. One of my best friends was set to release his first single, and he hit me up, asking me if I could take some pictures of him for the cover and Instagram promotional posts. We set up a time and picked out some outfits for him and shot in some locations around Nashville, and that is where the cover for Dylan Joseph’s debut single “ADHD” came from. Dylan Joseph introduced me to more people in a pretty short time who were also looking for photoshoots and eventually I got into concert and artist photography, and eventually directing and shooting music videos. Since then, I’ve had the most incredible opportunities to work with the most amazing artists and some of my closest friends, such as Dylan Joseph, Carter Rubin, Castle Greene, Mexx Heart, Mercer Henderson, Sadie Fine, Gilda, and so many more. I am extremely blessed to be able to capture their art and to be a part of their creative processes.

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?
Photography, for me, has been relatively smooth sailing, and I consider myself pretty lucky with the way things played out and continue to do so. Working with Dylan Joseph led me to work with other people because he is well-connected to a lot of people in the Nashville scene who were looking for photographers, and I was eager to expand my outreach. I would also say I’m a naturally bubbly person, and it made talking to and meeting new people easier for me, but I know that it can be hard for others who are more introverted and scared to meet new people. It was a little daunting at first thinking that networking is essentially just trying to market yourself to total strangers, but when you shoot your shot with enough people (no pun intended), it starts to feel easier and you find yourself hearing ‘yes’ a lot more than no.

One part I struggled with, especially in the beginning, was learning to set boundaries with the people I worked with and learning that it is okay to say no and to have expectations of what would happen. It would feel weird for me to charge people for photography at first, especially when all my clients were college-aged and people I was close friends with. I didn’t want to be pushy about being paid fairly, and I didn’t want to lose any friendships over money. I’ve since learned that you shouldn’t severely undercharge the quality of your work, and you shouldn’t let people walk all over you and not be credited or compensated for your hard work and time you put in for your clients.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My photography business is called Abbey’s Gallery! I do mostly artist photoshoots and concert photography, but I also do standard photoshoots (like for college seniors or for people who want Instagram content). I’ve also expanded into working with music videography, as I made my directorial debut for Dylan Joseph’s music video for his single “Broken Wings”, which was released May 9th, 2025. I’ve been working on shooting and directing a second music video with Dylan and had more creative control with the storyline and lineup of shots we’ve been putting together.

I think what sets me apart from others is my ability to work with people. I work with all different types of artists and people such as the metal band Lilith Luna or R&B/Pop singer Sadie Fine. I like to say I am a ‘jack of all trades’ when it comes to how people want me to be involved in their work. I am willing to execute a specific vision someone has for a photoshoot or music video and bring it to life, but I also love being handed the reigns and taking full creative control and making things look good. I want to see the people I work with succeed and I want to support them in every way, whether it is shooting for their shows or using photoshoots as a hype-up session. I like thinking outside the box and being able to sell a story through moments and pictures, as I want to write and direct for films and tv in the future.

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Some of my networking advice that really helped me get to where I am today is just being yourself and expressing yourself…which sounds like cliché advice until you realize how important self expression is for making connections. A specific networking tactic I use a lot is wearing very interesting jewelry or clothing or makeup to shows or places where you can network with people. It can be a conversation starter if you get complimented on specific pieces of an outfit or just your entire vibe, which can lead to potential partnerships and friendships. I also love starting conversations by complementing people on their jewelry they wear or a specific clothing item or things if I feel like I need to be the one to reach out. It was very intimidating at first, but after a couple events, it feels so natural and makes you look for positive things in the room.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://abbeysgallery.mypixieset.com
• Instagram: @abbeys.gallery
• Other: book with me: [email protected] !