Today we’d like to introduce you to Haley Tarkenton
Haley, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
When I was a young girl my parents did an incredible job of introducing me to many different forms of expression. They helped me understand the vastness of the world and how full of possibilities it is. My dad was my biggest influence, he started to educate me about the different cultures and deeper interpretation within art, film, and music at an early age. These became my deepest rooted passions. I realized quickly that I would be unfufilled in a typical work environment. Throughout my life, I have considered different career paths. I found myself interested in, but not limited to: photography, cosmetology, writing, interior design, etc. I hated the dea that I had to choose one and stick with it – when i’m so interested in learning everything I possibly can about many types of work and experiencing the highs and lows that come with them. 2020 my family and I moved out of my childhood home in Loganville, Georgia to Nashville. In 2021, I moved back to Georgia to try to be on my own (with roommates) and it was tough. Beginning of 2023, I made the decision to move back to Nashville, apply to college and move into the next chapter of my life. I got accepted into Columbia State Community College’s Film Crew Certification program for fall semester 2024. Now, I work full time as a supervisor and bartender. I pick up photography and production assistant gigs often and i’m a part time student. It can be difficult to balance all the aspects in my life but I’m making my dreams a reality and I couldn’t be happier.
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?
I always had blueprints of how I wanted my life to unfold but it has never quite gone according to plan. I am a 2020 high school graduate. The pandemic was not in my blueprints, nor the inevitable events that would follow. My dad passing away in 2021 was an event that completely changed me. I had no clue how to cope with this devastating loss. There’s no rulebook to grief, everybody experiences it in their own ways. I was incredibly depressed. I lost myself in the grief for a couple years, I became seduced by my own self-abuse. It was very difficult to pull myself out of that. Luckily I have supportive friends and family that stuck by me even when I pushed them away. I finally realized that even though loved ones that have passed on may no longer be physically present, the love we had for one another never leaves. It stays with me everywhere I go and I love keeping their memory alive. When the fog in my mind and heart lifted, I found my passion for living again. I promised myself to never let that go. I started thinking about my future again, and what I could be instead of feeling stuck in the past. My entire mindset has changed. Now I go into each day excited for my where my next adventure takes me and what may come with it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I do many things, I pride myself on my path to becoming a jack of all trades. However, my true calling is photography. I’m most known for my positive attitude, energy and passion I bring with me to each project. People seem to be allured by the darker somewhat nostalgic ambience I weave into my photography. My ability to look at something seemingly mundane and somehow bring forth the subtle emotions hidden within them in something as simple as a picture is magical. What sets me apart from others, is the genuine, natural approach I take. It’s always been about the art and its deeper underlying meanings. Having the ability to capture an irreplaceable moment in time with a photograph is truly magical to me. The present is fleeting, so it is nice to be able to gift people something that holds sentimental value. I give every project my one hundred percent because a project worth working on should be one I believe in.
I am pouring my focus into concert photography. I am still pretty new but my passion for it is unmatched. I grew up my entire life going to concerts. The energy and community within a single venue or stretched across several stages at festivals is something I have not been able to find anywhere else. Everyday worries and stresses leave audiences the moment the artist walks on stage and play the music that speak to them personally. I thrive on photographing the flood of emotions in those moments.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Whenever I have a creative block I have this trick that helps me. I open my GPS, pick a random area within a reasonable driving distance and scroll through the options quickly before randomly selecting a destination. Then I go there and explore until I find something that I feel compelled to photograph.
Pricing:
- $50-150 per hour
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haleytarkentoncinema/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haley-tarkenton-005a72354
Image Credits
I photographed and edited these myself.
Bri Nusom assisted me with the pictures of myself.
