Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacqueline “Shay” Hattaway.
Hi, Jacqueline “Shay,” please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My love for the arts began at a young age, with a childhood filled with various creative pursuits, from dancing to ceramics and everything in between. However, around the age of 13, I discovered my true passion: photography. My incredible mother, a beacon of strength and inspiration, somehow found a way to support my dream of owning a professional camera, even during challenging financial times. From that moment, I was hooked. I became a self-taught photographer, turning to Professor Google to learn the technical aspects of this art form. Throughout high school, I was fortunate to take my passion to the next level by dual-enrolling at Eastern Florida State College and signing up for all the photography courses I could. Those courses laid the foundation for what would become an unshakable passion.
Fast forward to my early twenties, twenty-two to be in fact, I found myself in a difficult situation, attending Louisiana State University while feeling trapped in an abusive relationship. Then, in 2020, the pandemic hit. I decided to leave college as I was feeling lost and depressed. I soon learned that I was expecting a child. This life-changing event prompted me to escape the toxic relationship, if not for my own life, for the sake of my son’s life and overall well-being.
Returning to my hometown, the Space Coast of Florida, with my newborn son, I experienced the transformation that comes with motherhood. At that time, I dreamed of creating a podcast that celebrated the rollercoaster ride of motherhood, but it remained an idea in my dream diary. My camera again found its way into my hands during this period, and I could not put it down. I realized the importance of capturing life’s fleeting moments and decided to share this joy with others. A friend asked me to photograph her maternity session, and that was the pivotal moment when I knew that documenting life’s precious moments was my calling.
In 2022, I officially founded Jackie Shay Photography + Creative LLC, and it has been a thriving venture ever since. Today, I’m no longer working for “the man”; I’m 100% freelancing, reveling in the freedom that comes with it. Recently, I had the privilege of collaborating with Sarah from the Space Coast Content Studio, delving into the world of videography and creating impactful content for our community. As for that little podcast idea in my dream diary, it’s finally coming to life! “More than just a Mom” is just getting started, and I’m excited to continue sharing the diverse stories of mothers and inspiring others through this platform. My journey has been a tapestry of personal growth, artistic discovery, and the profound realization that storytelling through images and words is my true calling. I look forward to the future, where I can make an even greater impact through my work and podcast.
Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
My journey has been anything but smooth, but every obstacle has only fueled my determination to succeed. One of the most significant challenges I encountered was during my pregnancy. I battled hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe condition that made it nearly impossible to eat, keep fluids down, and stay out of the hospital. I needed frequent IV transfusions to stay alive and nourish my unborn child. It was an incredibly trying time, but my love for my child and my mom’s unwavering support kept me going.
Perhaps the most formidable hurdle was my escape from an abusive relationship. It took immense courage to recognize the toxicity of that situation and decide to leave. My journey to freedom was riddled with uncertainty and fear, but I knew it was essential for my life and my son’s well-being. The strength and resilience I discovered during this period have shaped who I am today. Being a single mom added another layer of complexity to my life. Balancing the responsibilities of motherhood with building and running my own business was not easy. Yet, my son became my main source of inspiration and motivation, pushing me to strive for success for myself and for him. He is my entire world. Starting a photography business and launching a podcast amid these challenges might seem daunting, but it was also my way of reclaiming control over my life and pursuing my passions. Every obstacle I faced along the way only reinforced my determination to succeed in my creative endeavors and my role as a mother. So, no, it hasn’t been a smooth road, but it’s been transformative. Each hurdle has made me stronger, more resilient, and more appreciative of the opportunities I have today. I’m proud of how far I’ve come and eager to continue overcoming challenges as I pursue my dreams.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My work at Jackie Shay Photography + Creative LLC involves capturing life’s most precious moments through images and highlight videos. I like to call myself a *LOVE* photographer; I specialize in capturing what you love! From capturing the love between a couple on their first date or their wedding day, capturing the mother’s love of her newborn, to the love of a small-business owner during a branding session or the self-love radiating from women during a boudoir session, I work to tell your love story through photos and video highlight content.
While I have difficulty “niching down” to one or two things because I love photographing everything, my favorite is boudoir. I love empowering women to accept and love their bodies as it is today! I struggled with that growing up, but showing women how beautifully other people see them is very healing to me. I love the reactions I get when I am hyping my girls at a session, and I turn the camera around to reveal the art that they are; it’s my favorite part and can get quite emotional sometimes.
I’m known for my ability to capture the essence of a moment, to freeze emotions in time, and to tell compelling stories through visuals. It’s not just about taking pictures or shooting videos; it’s about connecting with people on a profound level, understanding their unique narratives, and translating that into beautiful and heartfelt imagery. My editing vibe is aimed to evoke a warm, fuzzy, moody film feeling.
One aspect of my work that I’m particularly proud of is my dedication to documenting the fleeting moments in life. Whether it’s a couple’s first kiss as newlyweds, a family’s laughter during a photoshoot, or preserving the memory of a woman’s body during moments in life, I’m committed to preserving these cherished memories. Life moves fast, and having these memories to look back on is priceless.
What truly sets me apart is the creativity and storytelling I bring to my work. I deeply love black and white images and include almost as many black and white as I do with my colorful film edits in my client’s galleries. I don’t always take the typical posed photo session; I like thinking outside the box. I want to evoke emotional feelings and bring meaning to my work. Sometimes, I like just to let life unfold naturally and document the moment, while others, I will provide a prompt or ask my clients to *do* something that makes them evoke a genuine emotion or memory. My go-to line is, “Now give me your best fake laugh” which will then get them to do a silly little fake laugh that will genuinely make me laugh out loud (if you know me, you know my obnoxious laugh!) and that usually gets them to laugh so genuinely and creates a silly little moment of connection and laughter. I also include highlight videos with most of my photography packages; it brings both my clients and myself so much joy to relive those little moments. I’ve also embarked on a new adventure with my podcast, “More Than Just a Mom.” This podcast celebrates mothers’ diverse and multifaceted identities, highlighting their stories beyond their role as moms. It’s a testament to my belief that every woman has a unique narrative to share, and I’m proud to provide a platform for these stories to be heard. It’s now available on Spotify and YouTube! @morethanjustamom_podcast
In summary, what sets me apart is my unwavering commitment to storytelling, my ability to connect with people on a deep level, and my resilience in the face of adversity. I’m proud of my work’s impact on people’s lives, and I look forward to continuing to create meaningful and heartfelt content through my photo/video and podcasting endeavors.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
One surprising fact that most about me is my deep and abiding love for the moon. While I’m often immersed in capturing the golden moments of sunset sessions (aka. golden hour), my heart truly comes alive during what photographers call “blue hour,” that magical time just after sunset when the world is bathed in soft, ethereal hues. At this moment, the moon typically makes its appearance, and I can’t resist sneaking it into my images. Something enchanting about the moon’s presence in the dusky sky adds an extra layer of magic to the scenes I capture. It’s like a cherry on top of the most beautiful ice cream sundae, and I consider it a gift whenever I can incorporate Mr. Moon into my sessions. But my absolute favorite moon sightings happen in the morning. There’s an undeniable charm in witnessing the moon hanging around in the early daylight as if it’s staying past its bedtime to see what we’re all up to while it rests. Those serene moments remind me of the beauty in the universe’s quiet presence, which I carry with me as I capture the human experience through my lens.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jackieshayphotography.mypixieset.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackieshayphotography
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/Jackie-Shay-Photography
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@JackieShayPhotography
- Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morethanjustamom_podcast
- Podcast YouTube: https://youtube.com/@MoreThanJustAMom_Podcast
- Spotify Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1AHF50gLEuOPcxNdLz0sj5?si=3658bf345c4d4c44
Image Credits
Images of me provided by Hector Ulin with “Perspectiv Photos.” (1st image and last 3 images) All other images are my work credited to “Jackie Shay Photography + Creative LLC”
