Today we’d like to introduce you to Kayla Jefferson.
Hi Kayla, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory
I have loved taking pictures ever since I was in elementary school. Every field trip, I always made sure I had my disposable camera packed in my backpack. It is so funny to me when I think back to how this all started, but I really loved capturing images from a young age. I was in middle school when I got my first digital camera for Christmas. I took so many pictures of basically any and everything. In both high school and college, I took a photography course, however, I still was not confident in my portraits. I believe the switch in the quality of my photos came from consistently capturing photos of my friends and line sisters in college, as well as watching YouTube videos and applying the knowledge I learned from so many amazing photographers! I most recently gained a mentor, Jordyn Ari, an Atlanta-based photographer, who has also helped me grow in this ever-changing photography world. I am super grateful to have a mentor like her! I believe in myself most of all. There are of course days where you may overanalyze and get stuck creatively, but I always keep pushing forward with positivity!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
LOL! It has not been a smooth road, and to be quite honest, anything worth having will have its challenges. I believe the biggest hurdles in the beginning of my journey were definitely balancing ISO, aperture and shutter speed. Many of the videos I watched on YouTube were about editing, rather than the basics, and I could not understand why my pictures were overexposed for the life of me! Some of my most recent struggles include being patient with myself. I often want clients to appear overnight, and that is just not how it works. Instead, I have been building genuine relationships in the Houston community, and posting my content – while understanding that all of this is relevant. Lastly, I think it can be super overwhelming as a photographer to solely go to YouTube due to how much information is out there. If one can find a coach, I recommend that option for sure because it eliminates noise. Finding a coach/mentor that can actually return your investment is key! As I maneuver through the photography industry, it only gets better with time, challenges and all!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am an Educator by day and a Photographer by evening and weekends! I teach 5th grade Math and Science, and I absolutely LOVE my kiddos. I believe in them and I know they will make a remarkable difference in this world. Recently, I am most proud of myself for following my passions. If you asked me in 2019 if this would be my lifestyle, I would have told you absolutely not. One of my favorite things to do aside from my day to day activities is travel because I love learning about different cultures and backgrounds that make up our world. I am able to continue learning about people and culture each time I step foot in the classroom or meet new clients for a photo session! The best part about photography is that I am able to tell a story through my photos by capturing special, real moments. I specialize in Portraits and Lifestyle & Branding Photography. What sets me apart from others is the energy and warmth I bring to each shoot. You won’t catch me on a bad day, because I genuinely want my clients’ experiences to be just as much of a memory as their beautiful images are.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Absolutely! I have to say The Courtney Sanders Podcast is my all-time favorite. She is a BOSS and talks about topics from achieving goals to how to stay consistent on social media! A couple of other podcasts that I listen to are Side Hustle Pro, Oprah Winfrey’s Super Soul Sunday, and Elevation with Steven Furtick. The apps that I use to help me be most successful in life are Google Calendar, Planoly, Canva, and Every Dollar.
Pricing:
- Portrait Session (Headshots, Maternity, Couples) – Start at $200
- Lifestyle & Branding Session- Start at $250
- Mini Sessions (Valentines Day, Easter, other holidays) – $100
Contact Info:
- Email: kaylaelisse@
kaylaelisse.com - Website: kaylaelisse.com
- Instagram: https://www.
instagram.com/kay_jeff/
Image Credits
Kayla Elisse Photography
