Artist Feature | Whitney Hayes

It’s a rare talent to be able to combine modern fashion photography with an artistic touch and a spontaneous, effortless feel, and Whitney Hayes does exactly that. Her luminous images draw you into a fascinating world of beauty, energy and color. Whitney often combines minimal compositions with an unexpected element, using reflections, light, colorful objects and unique angles to convey mood and story. The compassion and trust she has with her models shines through in her work; the moments she captures feel unguarded and refreshingly honest.

A portrait and fashion photographer in Manhattan, Whitney is passionate about capturing moods and defining moments. She constantly purveys the landscape of youth, beauty, and movement through projects that range from editorial, backstage, & runway. Whitney is also an activist in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease, affecting change by drawing attention to the ailment through an in-depth portrait project.

Whitney has won numerous awards from American Photography and Photo District News. She has also been featured in Booooooom, The Photographic Journal, Rangefinder Magazine, Streetdreams Magazine, Teeth Magazine, Global Yodel, VSCO Journal, Niche, Adorama, and Vogue.com.

She has created beautiful visual work for many brands such as Carolina Herrera, Vogue Online, Moda Operandi, Nike, VSCO, Monrowe Magazine, Area, Yigal Azrouel, One Magazine, Thakoon, Anna Sui, The CFDA, Streetdreams Magazine, New York Models, The Nomad Hotel, Coach, Donna Karan, The Wythe Hotel, The Topping Rose House, 7115NYC, The Arrivals NYC, and AT&T.

You can connect with Whitney and see more of her work on Instagram or on whitney-hayes.com.

“I have been using Rebecca Lily presets a lot lately, mostly Pro Set IV. They breathe life into a slightly lacking image, giving it the perfect amount of brightness, saturation, and mood. Film images are the most beautiful in my opinion, and these presets carry the feel of actual film so well. Shooting film is in my future, but when shooting digital, I try to recreate that look.

I’m currently using Apple on a recent fashion editorial, and it perfectly brightens the images and gives them the punch that they need. I recently edited another editorial using all Shadowland. It has a certain, slightly darker mood, and depth to it that I adore. I go to Shadowland so often.

I also often use Athena and Silk. I think that what I most prefer about the presets for my fashion images is what they do to skin tones. I think that skin tones can be so difficult to properly edit, and Rebecca Lily presets seamlessly create perfect skin tones.

I also regularly use the black and white presets, with Flat White and Johnny being my favorites.”