ABOUT
KELLI

Kelli Hayden is a Los Angeles-based photographer who has spent the past two decades honing a visual style that blends raw authenticity with polished editorial flair. Her work is rooted in photojournalism, but elevated with a signature aesthetic that’s equal parts playful, emotive, and refined. Whether shooting punk shows or lifestyle campaigns, Kelli brings to life not only the key moments, but also the atmosphere and emotion that unfold around them.

Her journey began at the age of 10 when she received her first Kodak Instax camera, unknowingly sparking a lifelong obsession. By high school, she was skipping academic classes to spend entire days in the darkroom developing black-and-white film of her punk rock friends and bands playing shows across Fullerton and Hollywood. That rebellious curiosity led her to sneak a DSLR and telephoto lens into a MUSE concert—and then a Queens of the Stone Age show—earning her early recognition and access to the Los Angeles music scene. It wasn’t long before she was shooting for media outlets and forming lasting connections with artists across genres.

After high school, Kelli opted out of costly photography schools in favor of real-world experience, choosing instead to study at a community college and travel. One of the most impactful classes she took was 2D Art & Design—not photography at all—but a foundational course in visual structure and color relationships that continues to shape her compositions and use of color. Combined with years of freelancing across various industries, collaborating with professionals, and always learning by doing, she’s built a body of work that is equal parts intentional and instinctive.

Drawn to vibrant subjects and grounded in emotional honesty, Kelli captures genuine moments as they unfold—often the subtle, in-between beats that reveal the most truth. Her camera has taken her from punk rock venues to far-flung destinations. Live music photography, however, forever remains as her first true love.

Described as a “punk rock Martha Stewart”, when she’s not on assignment, she spends her time running marathons, learning to surf, and volunteering as an ambassador for a nonprofit that serves children with unique needs. She currently resides in Hollywood, California, and travels worldwide, always chasing the next story waiting to be told through her lens.