Today we’d like to introduce you to Hailey Bollinger.
Hi Hailey, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I first discovered my love for photography in high school. Mason High School had a fantastic art department (shout out to Mrs. & Mr. Roberts!) that really encouraged exploration and experimentation, and that’s where my creative spark was first lit!
I went on to major in Fine Arts at the University of Cincinnati’s DAAP program and minored in Marketing. During college, I interned at CityBeat, a local alt-weekly, where I was introduced to editorial, journalistic, and event photography. Up until then, my work had mostly been personal projects — family sessions or senior portraits here and there — but that internship opened a door to documenting people doing meaningful, inspiring work. From passionate small business owners to community changemakers, I was drawn to the stories we reported on and the chance to capture them visually. That experience made me realize that what I love most about photography is the connection it creates and the storytelling it allows.
After graduating, I joined CityBeat as their staff photographer and spent five years there before launching my own business in 2021.
This year marks four years of running my business full-time, and it’s been such a rewarding journey! I’ve had the privilege of working with so many incredible clients who’ve trusted me to bring their vision to life.
Over the years, I’ve photographed everything from weddings and families to restaurants, products, real estate, and events. But moving forward, I’m narrowing my focus to three areas I feel most passionate about: food & beverage, branding, and interior design/architecture. I’m excited to continue visually capturing the heart of my clients’ work — helping them express the personality, story, and soul behind what they do.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I’d say the hardest part has been managing both the admin and creative sides of my business. I wear all the hats — bookkeeper, social media manager, customer service, tech support (my least favorite hat) — while also doing the creative work, which is the heart of my business. Juggling all of that while staying organized and making sure I don’t burn out has been tough. Ensuring I have some downtime to recharge my creative juices is very important to me. Over time, though, it’s gotten easier as I’ve found systems that work for me.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Generally, I focus on the commercial and editorial side of photography, and specialize in food & beverage, branding, and interior design/architecture photography.
Many local folks are probably familiar with my work through local publications like CityBeat and Cincinnati Magazine, as well as through my collaborations with restaurants and bars, capturing their dishes for social media and websites.
I’m proud of the relationships I’ve built with my clients and community, and that so many business owners have trusted me to bring their vision to life. I think what sets me apart is my genuine desire to connect authentically with my community and tell their stories through my work. Living in this city with so many talented and driven individuals is a constant inspiration for me — I’m so proud to call this place home!
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I have no problem directing people in front of my camera, but I actually have a big fear of public speaking! It’s something I’m actively working on this year and trying to overcome. My friend Allie Martin and I have been hosting a monthly event called the Cincy Creative Collab, where I’ve had the opportunity to get a little more comfortable on the microphone! If you’re in the creative realm and interested in connecting with more of your community, follow us on IG — @cincycreativecollab.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.haileybollingerphoto.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haileybollingerphoto/
