Cece Easley, Reporter
@virginiaeas
From photographing glaciers in Alaska to editing photos, senior Hadley Beiles is involved in all steps of photography. Her passion for photography has allowed her to travel across the country, partake in programs, and create unique and expressive photos. She aims to tell a story through her work about the experiences that come with them. To her, the importance of photography is not having the most expensive equipment or the best editing skills, but the journey, process and expression of unique moments and places.
Hadley enjoys the hands-on aspect of taking photos. “My main interests in photography are the experiences that come with it and the freedom of self expression,” she said. “There’s a certain creative aspect about photography that I love, and there’s never only one right answer or angle to a photo I’m taking.”
Photography styles vary for Hadley, as she prefers landscape photography, but has also worked on car photography. For example, she experimented with my friend’s old fashioned cars including the 1971 Mustang Mach 1, Imported Land Rover Defender, and 1978 Ford Bronco.
To foster her photography experience, she has traveled with nationally recognized programs. “In the summer of 2019, I went on a photography based National Geographic Student Expedition to Alaska where I photographed the Matanuska Glacier, Alaskan Wildlife, and everything in between,” she said. This experience was not only a unique experience but has also helped her develop her skills and connection to professional photographer Andrew Ling who is based in Seattle, Washington.
She has also hiked and photographed her way through Washington state. “Last year, I won the Bernice Dobkin Hall Scholarship from high school, so I went with the leader of the Alaska trip, Andrew Ling to Washington where he offered to take me as a student apprentice under his instruction,” she said. According to Hadley, reuniting with Andrew Ling was a learning experience and he taught her studio and street photography in Seattle.
Senior Hadley Beiles
Hadley’s process has three main steps, and for her landscape photography, the right angles and lighting are key. To her, it’s important to take a large number of photos, and then select the best ones to proceed with. “The process is about 50% setting up lighting and equipment, 25% actually taking the photos, and 25% editing in Lightroom or Photoshop,” Hadley said.
Hadley’s work is published both on Instagram (@Hadleybeilesphotos), and on her personal website https://www.hadleybeiles.com. According to Hadley, she aims to share her photos with the world, including her family, friends, and followers, in a modern way. Next year, Hadley will continue to follow her passion at the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder. “It’s one of the best places in the world to continue my love for landscape photography, being such a beautiful place during every season,” she said.
