hayleyocho
award-winning DALLAS BASED POKER AND LIVE EVENT PHOTOGRAPHER
Hi, I’m Hayley! Though most people also know me as “ocho.” (Strictly lowercase on the “ocho.”)
I’m a live event and editorial photographer with over a decade of experience capturing moments in poker, sports, and entertainment across the country. Since entering the poker industry in 2016, I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside some of the most recognized brands in the game, including the World Series of Poker, World Poker Tour, Heartland Poker Tour, BetMGM, The Lodge Card Club, and more.
I’ve spent over half a dozen summers in Las Vegas leading various photography operations for the largest live poker event in the world: the World Series of Poker. From Main Event champion portraits to behind-the-scenes storytelling and live tournament coverage, my focus has always been creating imagery that feels authentic and invokes emotion from behind a screen.
My work has been featured in publications including The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Card Player Magazine, Newsweek, and other national media outlets. I was also honored to win the Global Poker Award for Best Media Content: Photo in 2022 after multiple nominations over the years.
Before poker, my background was rooted in photojournalism and sports coverage. I began shooting collegiate athletics, breaking news, and feature stories for the Iowa State Daily Newspaper in Ames, Iowa in 2013 before moving into freelance sports coverage for the Omaha World-Herald. Those early years taught me how to tell stories quickly, creatively, and under pressure, skills that still shape the way I work today.
Whether I’m photographing a major televised final table, a championship moment, or the small behind-the-scenes details most people never see, I’m always chasing THE moment. I believe that chasing and catching THE moment from behind the lens really helps make live events unforgettable.
I’m still regularly on the road covering a variety of events nationwide. If you catch me at one, feel free to say hello and ask me to take your photo! Thanks for checking out my website!
With love,
Hayley
POKER
SCENES AND PLACES
Once upon a time, I used to take my camera to places that weren’t a poker room. Here’s a collection of my favorites from throughout the years.
Although much of my career has been built around live events and fast-paced storytelling, I do enjoy challenging myself with portrait work. Whether it’s documenting a growing family, a wedding day, or personal branding for influencers or other creatives, I love getting to slow things down a bit and create photos that feel relaxed, fun, and true to you!