Nice to meet you.
I'm Haylie Flesness. I'm a North Dakota photographer based in Bismarck. I've had over 10 years of experience as a commercial photographer and I specialize in lifestyle, documentary, and adventure photography. I have a background in video and film work that always keeps me on the move. I've worked with hundreds of brands over my career.
What I do.
Little bit of this.
Photography
In middle school, I "borrowed" my sister's Photoshop license and started teaching myself. While self-taught at first, I was later blessed with some amazing teachers and mentors. They catapulted me forward, and I still use their advice to this day. It's at my core to continue learning and improving my craft.
Little bit of that.
I've had many roles in the video world: Producer, Assistant Director, Production Manager, Project Manager, and more—you just can't keep me too far away from organization and problem-solving. Because of this background, I frequently shoot stills alongside video productions. Currently hanging with Threefold.
And dash of this too.
Extracurriculars
Then there's the rock climbing. I'm actually afraid of heights, but that (mostly) disappears when I have my camera on the wall. I also love to garden and surround myself with the same types of flowers I first practiced macro photography on. I enjoy sewing, drawing, and painting, too, but those hobbies I keep just for myself.
My favorite place.
I love spending time in the Western side of the state -- The Badlands. I've probably spent close to 100 days working out there filming and photographing near and around Medora. Theodore Roosevelt National Park is always a highlight but there is so much more to explore in the area. Some of my favorite locations are actually 40 miles South of Medora near Amidon, North Dakota.
I shoot a little bit of everything, and I like it that way. From traditional commercial projects to remote documentary work, I really enjoy collaborating with clients and brands to bring their vision to life. You're just as likely to find me working with a local business as you are to find me climbing in the Black Hills of South Dakota. But beneath all the client work, my biggest personal drive is conservation. The outdoors shaped who I am, and I want to work with good people to make images that matter, whether we're in a studio, on a job site, or completely off the grid.
Proudly Photographed For...
