Gothic Bite Magazine is proud to promote the art of various indie artists from all around the world. After her submission, GBM now shares the work and story of Hayley!

Hayley’s Story

I’m a photographer, and I have recently organized and photographed a styled shoot where I collaborated with several people to produce a gothic-themed maternity shoot.

I took the inspiration for the shoot for my love of the gothic look, I’ve always loved the mystery of it with the black lace, dark makeup and seeing the beauty in things others consider dull.

My sister has been one of my biggest supporters when it has come to my photography. She has been my model in all sorts of weird and beautiful ways. She has helped me tell my own story of fertility issues, anxiety, and depression that came along with that (that’s a whole other story).

I am by trade a wedding and portrait photographer, my work consists of light and airy images solely directed by the clients. It can be challenging to put an artistic and creative spin in some of that work, so creating this shoot provided me with that outlet.

The shoot was for my sister, who was 34 weeks pregnant at the time. I wanted to give her something she would look back on and remember this moment and feel happier with the changes she was going through. I wanted her to feel empowered and beautiful. I specifically chose the gothic theme to elevate those feelings.

This is what my sister Charlee said about it all…

“I have spent a large amount of my pregnancy, not liking the changes that were happening to my body. I felt ugly and undesirable, so when my sister asked me to do a maternity shoot, I can’t say I was looking forward to it. Looking over these photos now, I have never felt more beautiful and loved my body more for the incredible thing that it is doing in creating and nurturing this little life inside.”

She talked about the body changes she went through and how she had gone from feeling incredibly confident to not like herself at all. When she saw these images, she realized how amazing it all is.

I want to share this story and help other women who may also feel like this realize how beautiful they are.

Hayley

SUPPLIERS INSTAGRAM

• Photography: @hayleygellphotography
• Photography: @adeledrummondphotography
• Hair and Makeup: @laurataffmakeup 
• Assistant: @madam_borris
• Venue: @smithfieldstudios
• Headpiece: @rachelchaprunne 
• Jewellery: @bishboshbecca
• Veil: @peacock_and_pearl 

SUPPLIERS FACEBOOK

• Photography: https://www.facebook.com/HayleyGellPhotography/
• Photography: @adeledrummondphotography
• Hair and Makeup: @laurataffmakeup 
• Assistant: @madam_borris
• Venue: @smithfieldstudios
• Headpiece: @rachelchaprunne 
• Jewellery: @bishboshbecca
• Veil: @peacock_and_pearl 

SUPPLIERS WEBSITES

• Photography: https://www.hayleygellphotography.com/
• Hair and Makeup: http://www.laurataff.co.uk/
• Venue: https://www.alwingreysonphotography.co.uk/studio-hire-sheffield/
• Headpiece: https://www.rachelchaprunne.co.uk/
• Jewellery: https://www.bishboshbecca.co.uk/gb/
• Veil: https://www.peacockandpearl.co.uk/