Hadley Stambaugh’s photography is rooted in light, storytelling, and collaboration. Based in Savannah, she balances her role as creative director of photography at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) with her personal passion for capturing environmental portraits and sculpting light into narrative form. Her work—featured in publications like Vogue and the book Ring Redux—reflects not only technical skill but also a deep commitment to mentorship and creative community. In this conversation, Stambaugh shares the inspirations that shaped her journey, the challenges she’s embraced along the way, and the values that continue to guide her work.

Introduction by Paula Wallace, Founder & President, Savannah College of Art & Design

Hadley embodies the creative brilliance and entrepreneurial savoir-faire we expect of every graduate of the SCAD School of Visual Communication, with a boundless dedication to her profession and a precisely tuned eye that evokes the unseen. Her professors recall Hadley as a creative force in the classroom, challenging herself to articulate her ideas with passion, clarity, and a love for the enduring beauty of even the most fleeting forms. Her flourishing career in fashion photography was born at SCAD, home to one of the world’s elite fashion schools, with a runway show every spring that draws the attention of the entire industry. Inspiration lives at SCAD! It’s no surprise that Hadley’s professional accolades just keep piling up—a photogenic career, any way you look at it.

What has inspired or motivated you in your career?
I love sculpting light.

What is your work philosophy?
It takes a village to create even the smallest idea; everyone contributes equally.

Who is or was your greatest mentor?
My fellow photographers and crew that I’ve worked with throughout my career. Every set is an opportunity to learn from and create with a multitude of individuals.

What is it about photography that you’re most passionate about?
I love visual storytelling and aligning with a client’s ideas and identity. A still image can capture someone’s attention longer than most other forms of media.

What is your favorite type of photography to shoot?
I love a good environmental portrait—it’s like a visual puzzle.

What is the most difficult challenge you’ve had to overcome to reach your current position?
Each set comes with its own challenges and needs. Truthfully, learning to adapt to different environments, timelines, and even crew expectations can be difficult—but in a good way. It’s essential for growth. Being a chameleon to better fit the needs of a project is the best path forward.

Who have some of your greatest past influences been?
Most people would quote certain photographers, but I’ve always loved how movies use light. Mixing light sources into my work—as both a creative director and a photographer—has been a big influence.

What would be your dream assignment?
I would adore working with small brands.

What are the top things you need from a client in order to do successful work for them?
Communication, trust, and a good mood board always help.

Much of your photography work is for the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). How did you start working for them, and what’s it like working with a university?
I had worked in New York City for some time and assisted in Los Angeles and Miami for short stints. I had also done some freelance work for SCAD when a full-time position opened. I had fallen in love with Savannah as a home base, so working there made the most sense. I saw growth potential in the department and quickly learned a lot in the environment. I’ve loved working for them as a photographer, and now, as a creative director, I get to positively impact both the students I work with on projects and my colleagues, who are my crew. It’s a dream position in a dream department. The pace of work really keeps me on my toes.

What do you consider your greatest professional achievement so far?
I have had the pleasure of being published in Vogue and in a book called Ring Redux with a fellow photographer, Colin Gray. I also feel a deep sense of gratitude when I see young professionals and alumni using my photographs in their portfolios. I love propelling people visually.

What about your work gives you the greatest satisfaction?
Seeing people get excited about the photos I produce and stretching my work or brand in unexpected ways.

What part of your work do you find the most demanding?
The balance of life and work can blur—especially when you love your environment, crew, mentors, and work as much as I do.

What professional goals do you still have for yourself?
I’d love to help grow small businesses and SCAD alumni branding. I think SCAD has an amazing foundation of talented individuals who give to the creative world every year. It’s exceptional to witness the growth of students and alumni alike.

What advice would you give to students starting out today?
Always ask for advice, but know what you are asking specifically. Try things on a small scale, then go big, and look out for potential problems with a workaround. Don’t be afraid to work with large groups. As I’ve said, it takes a village to grow and produce an idea.

What interests do you have outside of work?
I love camping, hiking, throwing pottery, mushroom foraging, consuming movies at an unreasonable rate, and reading or people-watching in parks. Life is fascinating.

What do you value most in life?
Time. You never get enough, and you can’t earn it back.

What would you change if you had to do it all over again?
I would ask for help more often (even though I’m the stubborn one, moving heavy gear when I shouldn’t).

Where do you find inspiration?
Life around me and reading stories. I often read books and wonder what that scene would look like in a photo.

How do you define success?
Comfort and pride in the work you do at the end of the day. Never leave a set feeling bad or like you didn’t do your best.

Where do you see yourself in the future?
My ADHD makes planning for the future difficult, so I can tell you that tomorrow I will be at work, putting out what I like to call “creative fires” and building goals for the end of the year. Present-moment living gives me balance.

How do you balance your work with your personal life, if there is a distinction between the two for you?
I’m a workhorse at heart. I adore working, so in my thirties I’ve tried to focus on balance. Ask me again in five years.

In what ways do you see your field changing over the years?
I see a lot more problem-solving through lighting and inspiration being pulled from a multitude of media. I also see a big shift in the sheer quantity of photography created for social media consumption.

Hadley Stambaugh combines her fascination with the human spirit and the natural world to create a distinctive sense of movement and light in her photography. Her subjects range from portraits of A-list actors and fashion icons to still lifes, everyday students, and their creations. After graduating from the Savannah College of Art and Design, she split her time between her hometown of Pittsburgh, New York City, and Savannah. The balance between city and rural landscapes allowed her to cultivate a unique aesthetic—one that blends the urban fashion influences of New York City with the calming beauty of the Lowcountry, her current home, Savannah. Today, Hadley serves as creative director of photography for SCAD, but she will forever carry the eye and heart of a photographer.

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