Meet David Hayden

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

Hi David, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
“Starting my own business has always been more of a mindset than a single thought process for me. It’s deeply ingrained, perhaps stemming from family history; my great-grandfather, grandfather, father, and even my older brother were all small business owners. I guess I caught the bug early—I was shoveling snow as a kid, then I got a paper route when I was 12.

Even when I took the employee route in high school and went on to have a great career, I always approached my jobs with the attitude of being self-employed. I have worked with so many people whose “it’s just a job” attitude severely limited them. In my mind, when I’m employed doing the 9-5 in the corporate world, I am really self-employed, I’m responsible for my quality of work, my attitude, professionalism, career management and so on.

My entrepreneurial drive really picked up in my late teens. I was devouring business books and attending workshops. This led to a series of ventures: managing a band right out of high school, selling real estate in my 20’s, opening an ice cream parlor, and later, a training business for CNC programming. That, in turn, evolved into consulting, which then branched into self-publishing, and more consulting and better corporate jobs. The interesting part? I did all of this while working full-time in mid-level management roles, often 40-60 hours a week, and simultaneously earning both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business through night school.

So, starting a photography business was a natural evolution. Photography has been a lifelong passion since I was 13, but it didn’t click for me until 2014 that it could actually be a business, or that I could be a professional photographer. That’s when I officially filed for the tradename Pueblo West Photography. Now, I operate under David Hayden Photography.”

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My business is small, flexible, and consistently builds on past successes through a consultative approach. I pride myself on being excellent at what I do, but I’m not a mind-reader. My process involves investing the necessary time to truly understand and collaborate with my clients on their vision. This ensures we work together to achieve the best possible imagery that genuinely meets their specific needs.

What Sets Me Apart & What Excites Me

That collaborative process is truly the exciting part for me – getting to know my clients. I love learning about their passions, whether it’s for their product, an event, or a unique location. People are so interesting and unique, yet fundamentally similar in their drive to succeed. When they engage me, they’re looking to enhance that success or capture and preserve a significant moment. I get to deal with happy people who have a vision, and that’s incredibly rewarding.

The Journey and Lessons Learned

I didn’t fully grasp the profound importance of my work until years later. After photographing an equestrian event, one of the participants reached out, desperate to know if I still had pictures of their horse. Sadly, the horse had passed away, and one of their cherished memories was an image I had captured of it performing. Fortunately, I still had the photo.

This experience taught me a powerful lesson: when you do something frequently, it’s easy to take it for granted. I learned that photographs are often far more important than I had given them credit for. This profound understanding fundamentally shaped my business and helped it get to where it is today. Realizing I’m not just taking great pictures, but providing an invaluable service that preserves memories and enhances endeavors, truly informs my consultative approach.

The transition from hobbyist to professional photographer wasn’t easy due to the significant paradigm shift. Initially, I lacked confidence. While I might win local and even larger contests, that’s vastly different from self-promoting, knocking on doors, and confidently stating, “I’m the person you need for your project.” My mentor, Don Giannitti, through his courses, mentorship groups, and one-on-one consulting, was instrumental in my evolution from an insecure hobbyist to a confident professional.

From Don and other experts, I’ve learned a great deal about photography, lighting, and most importantly, the business of photography. The true value of a photograph isn’t determined by the equipment used, or the time spent shooting or editing; its value is solely determined by the client.

A client wanting a photograph for deeply personal reasons has a very different need from one seeking an image to enhance their menu, brand, or national promotion. Good, professional photos can significantly support and grow a business. Conversely, bad or unprofessional photos can actively put you or your business in a poor light.

My Brand and Story

This attitude and approach to photography forms the cornerstone of my business. I want to deeply understand my client’s needs and their vision for their imagery, and I want to get caught up in their enthusiasm. The better I can grasp their vision and intention, the better our chances of creating the imagery to fulfill it.

I definitely have my niche and expertise, and I don’t pretend to be good at all types of photography. My business focus is on product, location, and event photography, specifically excluding weddings.

For personal artistic work, however, everything is on the table—including landscape, wildlife, still life, macro, or whatever sparks my interest. I always keep a camera nearby.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
“My Best Friend’s Pueblo & Colorado Adventure”

If my best friend were visiting for a week, we’d kick things off at Lake Pueblo State Park – it’s not just beautiful, it was the subject of my second photo book, so it’s a personal favorite. We’d capture a stunning sunset over the water, for sure.

Pueblo has a vibrant arts scene, and we’d dedicate time to the downtown Arts District. My top recommendations are the Sangre de Cristo Arts and Conference Center, Steel City Art Works Gallery, and The Pueblo Art Guild. We’d also have to pop into Pueblo Puzzleworks on Union Avenue – it’s a unique and fun spot.

Regarding food /dining we’d sample local flavors at Papa Jose’s on Union Avenue, explore the diverse options at Fuel and Iron Food Hall, maybe grab a meal at DC’s on B Street or Angelo’s on the riverwalk. Most are within easy walking distance. With a little drive we could head over to The Shamrock Irish Pub and micro Brewery.

A highlight is always Pueblo’s Historic Arkansas Riverwalk, especially the Center for American Values. It features an extraordinary collection of nearly 150 artistic portraits and stories of America’s Medal of Honor Recipients – a truly moving and impactful experience that showcases Pueblo as the ‘Home of Heroes.’

We’d also check out the Pueblo Weisbrod Air Museum for its impressive aircraft, interesting docents, and STEM lab.

Finally, we’d take advantage of Pueblo’s central location for day trips into Colorado’s breathtaking scenery. We’re just a few hours from attractions like Bishop’s Castle and mountain towns like Westcliffe, scenic drives over Monarch Pass, or exploring historic sites like Victor and Cripple Creek. Pueblo really is a gateway into Colorado’s natural beauty.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My Shoutout
It might sound cliché, but I truly attribute much of my success to my wife, Sherry. She was right there, encouraging me every step of the way, even during those two years when literally all I did was work and attend night school. She’s an incredible editor who’s worked on all my books, and she has a fantastic eye for photography—her feedback is invaluable.

Photographic Mentors and Supporters

On the photography side, I’ve been fortunate to have many mentors. Most importantly:

My brother, Cork Hayden, who gave me my very first camera so many years ago.

The Southern Colorado Photography Society, where I gained so many insights into the artistic side of photography.

Steel City Art Works Gallery, for allowing me to display my artwork and for being the subject of my first photography-related book.

Donald Giannitti, a master commercial photographer, trainer, mentor, and now a personal friend. Without his tutelage, much of what I’ve accomplished would have taken decades longer.

Southern Colorado’s prestigious Sangre de Cristo Arts and Conference Center, for taking me on and retaining me as their Photographer in Residence.

Website: https://www.davidhaydenphoto.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidhaydenphoto

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidhaydenphotographer/

Twitter: https://x.com/Haydenpub

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PuebloWestPhoto/

Other: https://davidhaydenphoto.substack.com/

Image Credits
David Hayden