Meet Kayla Klaus | Lifestyle Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kayla Klaus and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kayla, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Honestly, starting my business was something I had dreamed about for years, but actually making the jump was a little scary. In 2020, I was working in healthcare and pregnant with my third child. It probably seemed like a crazy time to start a business, but in so many ways, it felt like the right time. I really wanted to be home with my kids and soak up those early years with them.

Looking back, I truly believe God opened the doors for me and made it all possible. My husband was incredibly supportive, which gave me the confidence to go for it. I’ve always loved capturing real, candid moments—those little in-between smiles, the chaos, the love—and I wanted to create something that allowed me to do that in a meaningful way. So I took the leap, and I’m so grateful I did!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
When I first started photography, I wasn’t exactly sure which niche I wanted to focus on—I actually thought I might go in the direction of high school senior photography. But after just a few months, I realized my heart was in documenting families and capturing their special connections.

Having a family of my own, I’ve seen firsthand how quickly time passes. Those little moments—the way your toddler holds your hand, the giggles during bedtime stories, the way your kids look up at you with pure love—change faster than we realize. Having snapshots to freeze those moments in time has been priceless for me, and I knew I wanted to create the same kind of treasured keepsakes for other families.

One of the things I get most excited about is when a family is interested in what I call a ‘creative session.’ Instead of just posing in a pretty location, we pick an activity and a place that’s meaningful to them—maybe skateboarding downtown and getting ice cream, or a family walk in their neighborhood. These sessions allow me to document real, candid moments that truly reflect their connection, personalities, and love for each other.

One priority I have strived for in my business since the beginning is for people to know that I truly care about them. When someone hires me, I don’t want them to feel like they’re just booking a professional to check “family photos” off their to-do list. I want them to feel known, valued, and comfortable. I know that for a lot of families, getting photos taken can come with stress (trying to coordinate schedules and outfits and a location, etc) but my goal is to make it something they actually look forward to. I want sessions to feel fun, natural, and pressure-free—because that’s when the best, most authentic moments happen.

The journey to where I am today has taken time, but it’s been incredibly rewarding. I’ve learned that building relationships with families and documenting them year after year is one of the greatest joys of this work. Seeing families trust me to capture their lives and knowing that these images will be passed down for generations—it fuels my passion more than anything.

At the heart of it all, my goal is to create something that lasts beyond just a social media post or a quick glance at a screen. I want families to have tangible, heartfelt memories that transport them back to these precious, fleeting moments. Because at the end of the day, that’s what really matters.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Ooh, this is such a good but tough question because there are so many amazing spots to visit that capture the beauty of the area. I would have to say a trip up to Horsetooth Reservoir is a must, with a stop at Rotary Park to take in the stunning views. We especially like to go at sunset when the soft lighting is just breathtaking. As a photographer, I think it’s one of the most beautiful times to go.

Another favorite spot of ours is up the Poudre Canyon, to Picnic Rock for a relaxed picnic lunch and some fun splashing around in the river. If the weather is nice, a splash park would be another place we would spend the afternoon relaxing in the sun while the kids play. We would definitely have to grab a coffee at the Human Bean to take with us and enjoy while at the splash park.

For sit down coffee, my favorite spot is LIMA in Old Town Fort Collins. Afterwards, a stroll through Old Town Fort Collins would be fun. If there’s ice cream involved (which there usually is), Windsor Lake Coffee is my go-to. It’s the perfect spot to grab a sweet treat and then walk it off with a relaxing stroll around Windsor Lake. We love family bike rides too and there are so many wonderful trails around to explore and enjoy Colorado’s beauty.

Lunch would be something fresh and delicious—like a salad from Tokyo Joe’s, or a panini at Jason’s Deli followed by a free ice cream cone at the end. For dinner, DC Oakes is a family favorite. The kids especially love it because their meal comes with a goldfish cracker appetizer and ice cream for dessert.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I love this question, because having people around me that me that believed in me and supported my dream of starting my own photography business is such a key part to my story.

First and foremost, I have to give all the glory to God—He opened the doors and made this journey possible for me. I also have to give a huge shoutout to my husband for being my rock through it all. His unwavering support and encouragement gave me the confidence to take the leap into starting my business, even when it felt scary.

My mom also deserves so much credit—she has always believed in me, even before I believed in myself. Her constant encouragement has meant the world to me.

And of course, I’m beyond grateful for the amazing families and friends who have trusted me to capture their most precious moments. The support, referrals, and kind words have helped me grow in ways I never imagined. I truly wouldn’t be where I am today without them!

Website: https://www.kaylaklausphotography.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaylaklaus_photography/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089010679764

Other: My fb account is under Kayla Klaus Photography LLC

Image Credits
For my personal/headshot photo, photo credit goes to Aubrey McClanahan of MaeBelle Photos

All other photos were taken by me.