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

Hi Kelli, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
As a freelancer who creates their own hours, it can be challenging to set a boundary for yourself on where you can hand something off to someone else and outsource it so you can enjoy more personal time for yourself. As I’ve gotten a bit older, I’ve learned and accepted to let go of certain things and hire someone else for the tasks that someone else CAN do. It has taken me some time to release being in control 100% of the time. It’s mandatory to avoid burnout, especially if you’re the only face of your business and do everything yourself. I’ve felt a huge wave of relief when I realized how much time it has brought back for me to actually enjoy life, instead of working 24/7. It’s great to be more present!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As a destination wedding and lifestyle photographer, I do get to enjoy many benefits the job brings – not just the places I get to visit, but the amazing clients and people I get to meet and work with who love what I do for them. Everyone’s route to success is different and there is certainly no shortcut to earning your stripes. There will be many failures and mishaps. If you’re lucky enough, maybe even a few horror stories where you may have thought that this is the end of the road, but it ended up becoming an experience that you learned and gained from and walked away even stronger than before. It’s rewarding when you find yourself sharing your personal stories with someone who’s just getting started in their business and you can teach and inspire others through your own experiences.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Los Angeles is a very crowded place, as we all know, so I can’t give away all my secret places, but I am willing to share most of them! Being based in the Hollywood Hills, if I wanted to “show off” my neighborhood to a friend who doesn’t live in Southern CA, I would start by taking them for a hike up to Mount Lee, which takes you all the way up behind the Hollywood Sign and gives you stellar views of the hills and the city! There are also hidden staircases throughout my neighborhood on Beachwood Dr. and Hollyridge Dr. that are fun to explore and exercise on if hiking is on the agenda (it is). There actually is a lot of walking in LA if you’re a native! Then we’d work our way over to Echo Park and ride the peddle boats at the lake and enjoy a fruit cup from the fresh fruit cart stands. Taking a trip to Malibu for some great seafood is a must, followed by catching the sunset at El Matador Beach. Assuming on the days this friend was visiting that surf is good, I’d also take them to County Line for some tasty waves. Then ending the day at Rincon Brewery in Ventura sounds like a delight. For a broader Hollywood experience, they would probably need to see the Sunset Strip and have dinner at The Rainbow Bar & Grill and visit Lemmy’s memorial on the patio…if you know, you know. If skateboarding doesn’t intimidate you, the best ride is a gradual 30 min journey from the top of Canyon Dr. where the Bronson Canyon Loop begins, down all the way towards Franklin. It’s a small decline that allows you to ride your board all the way to the bottom without stopping (mind the traffic!). That ride will conveniently take you to Franklin where there’s a small strip of cafes and bars to hang out at and talk about that sick ride down the hill! I’ve also recently discovered through a best friend that the best ramen broth comes from Tokyo Cube on Cahuenga by the 101 fwy!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Though I consider myself self-taught, there have been plenty of people and friends who have served as mentors and life coaches on this journey to be where I am today. From technicalities on photography style to editing “tricks & tips”, to how to run a business as a sole proprietor, I have countless people to think for their support and encouragement. Running a successful business definitely doesn’t happen overnight and it doesn’t often happen without the support of those around you!

Website: http://kellibeephotography.com

Instagram: @kellibeephotography

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