Meet Cory Hayford | Photographer& Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cory Hayford and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cory, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My thought process behind starting this business was big. It was during covid, and I had a huge desire to start taking pictures, but for some reason, I was scared to do it. I was afraid of what people would think. Where would I get a camera? It was a lot of hows. I then began to realize I had a gift. Why not cultivate it and use it? I did not want to sit and let my gift become an idle. So I called my cousin, who had bought a professional camera and never used it, and bought it from her. I began to take pictures. Start an Instagram page and did a lot of research on creating a website and how to receive customers, edit and use a camera, and promote my work. I reached out to different people so that I could take pictures of them and started going out to other parts of my city and taking pictures; I told myself just do it. It won’t hurt to try, and I did! Now I’m more confident in my work and constantly finding ways to improve my craft

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a photographer, and I have the phase called “capturing magical moments,” I say that because, through photography, you are capturing moments. Mine are magical because every photographer has a different way of editing their pictures. And I have a specific way I edit my photographs. Sometimes my mind gets stuck in the 90s, and I love a good vintage feel to my photos, depending on if the picture gives that vibe. I am most proud of my portrait photography because I love working with people, especially when they allow me to help pick outfits, makeup looks, and props. It allows me to connect with my creative side and the person I’m taking a picture of. I got to where I am because I decided to do it. I had to overcome a lot of fear and self-doubt; I also had to put myself out there and market myself. This journey has defiantly not been easy when you are in a certain field with other people; the comparison starts to creep in. Still, I have to remind myself that I am different. I have a different approach to photography than others. I learned along the way that success does not happen overnight. It’s a slow process. Returning to the comparison, I always see people like count or followers. I wonder how they got so many followers. Still, I realize they started just like me. I can be like them one day as long as I stay consistent and have a drive for what I’m doing. I want the world to know DO IT, whatever desire you have in your heart or idea. If you believe in yourself, you can do it! You are your biggest cheerleader. I believed in myself, and that’s how I could follow my dreams.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend were visiting the area, they would have a good time because they would be with me! Just kidding, but on a serious note, I would take them to Catalina Island. I’m currently in Long Beach, so the port is just a short distance from me. If I wanted to walk there, I could, haha. But Catalina Island would be the secluded spot, and it feels like you’re in another world when you go there. Our itinerary would be getting to the port on time because those boats will leave you. Sit on the ferry deck, get fresh air, and talk about life. When we arrive on the Island, we would get some food at the pancake cottage, after eating rent a bike and ride it around the Island, grab a snack if we are hungry then head down to the beach for some beach activities; I would say scuba diving or parceling both are fun! After the beach activities, head back to the beach to lie and catch a tan. I like to swim so I would be in the water. Then head back to our hotel or air bnb and freshen up, get cute, and grab dinner at Steves’s Steakhouse. After dinner, find a place to dance and interact with new people!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to give a big shoutout to God and my friends, who helped me realize I had a gift! I honestly couldn’t have done this without the help of God. He’s my creative director. With God’s help, I found a community of people who saw my talents and always reminded me of who I was in Christ. This has been my anchor. So we confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”

Website: https://chayford2.editorx.io/photos

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