within the wild

emotive portraits of families, lovers, and the beautifully unguarded
upstate south Carolina

welcome friend

Hi there, beautiful soul. Pull up a chair, take a breath, and stay a while. My name is Haley, I am a portrait photographer and maker of simple films in the Upstate of South Carolina, and I’m so glad you’re here.

Within The Wild is rooted in the belief that the natural world reflects us: unpolished, ever-changing, and deeply alive. And this endeavor was born from a longing to return. To the forest, to stillness, to the raw, unfiltered truth of who we are beneath the noise. I believe the most meaningful beauty lives in that wild place. My work is about honoring that same wildness within people: real, present, and untamed.

I fell in love with photography at 11-years-old, and in the years since, it's become more than a passion — it’s become my mirror, my therapy, and my offering to the world. I've explored nearly every style and subject over the years, but I'm most drawn to the work that asks us to be real. To be soft. To be seen.

My sessions are rooted in presence, connection, and reverence for the human experience — whether I’m photographing a family tangled up in golden hour laughter, a new mother in her still-changing body, or an individual learning to stand fully in their own skin.

Nature is the heartbeat of my creative process. It’s where I return to remember myself, to breathe, to create. The name Within The Wild speaks to that pull — the way wildness lives not only in forests and rivers, but in the raw, unfiltered essence of you. I believe there is healing in being witnessed gently, and I aim to hold that space every time I lift my camera.

My journey with self-portraiture — especially through seasons of transformation, motherhood, and self-discovery — opened a deeper well of compassion in me for the bodies we live in. That practice has shaped the way I photograph others: with care, curiosity, and the quiet hope that maybe, just maybe, you’ll see yourself a little differently afterward. A little softer. A little kinder.

I offer a variety of sessions — families, couples, maternity, portraits, seniors, and yes, intimate sessions for those ready to explore vulnerability and self-love in their own way. Whatever brings you to me, I hope you leave feeling more at home in your story.

A few things you should know: I’m raising four wild and beautiful children. I’m a touch atheist, a pinch pagan, an optimistic nihilist, and deeply spiritual in my own earthy way. A ball of contradictions most of the time. I write poetry, dig in the garden for peace, hike with incredible friends, and am always chasing meaning in conversation, art, and the forest.

Thank you for being here. I’d love to create something honest and unforgettable with you.

families

couples

portraits

emotive nudes

Me and Mine