Meet Kayla Gray | Creative Portrait & Wedding Photographer

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

Hi Kayla, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I’ve always been drawn to photography, ever since I was a little rascal snatching my dad’s iPhone 3 to take blurry dinner table photos. It wasn’t until I took a photojournalism class during college that it clicked: people actually do this for a living? Oh — people actually do this for a LIVING! I started feverishly researching different niches, following successful creatives online and realizing if they can do it, then so can I.
Just like many people, I have worked all different kinds of part- and full-time jobs over the years — from a vegan cafe to a seafood restaurant; a jewelry store to a cannabis dispensary; babysitting, petsitting, housesitting, you name it. As I grew older and began experimenting with different photography niches, I realized photography is the only job that has ever filled my cup instead of draining it. I fell in love with the connections it brought me, the process of creating art from start to finish, and how it allows me to help others feel beautiful and worthy. I made a commitment to myself that if I can make a living doing exactly what I love, I will do whatever I can to pursue that path. And voila, a business was born. 🙂

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
A large focus of my life, and therefore my art, is self-love. My journey towards loving myself has been long and bumpy, as I know it is for many others. I have struggled greatly with self-esteem and self-image, which directly impacts my business. I have shed many layers of fear and insecurity in order to get to where I am today and I’m sure I will shed another million in my lifetime. Working through these fears has shown me that I can believe in myself; I can do the hard things and I can actually be pretty good at them. Though everyday is not perfect, I feel comfortable saying that I love myself deeply and fully now, and all I want to do is help others feel the same.
I am very excited to start incorporating ‘empowerment sessions’ — photoshoots dedicated to grounding oneself and nurturing the connection to self. This type of session includes visualization meditations, guided journaling prompts, and intuitive movement, such as yoga or free-flow dance. After connecting with ourselves in this way, we’ll move on to the photoshoot portion, in which the client works through their challenges in order to be fully seen by me and my camera. The magic that happens within these sessions is palpable. The art that comes out of it tends to be some of my favorite work, which makes sense because there is massive transformation happening right in front of the camera.

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?
I would first make sure we have tickets to a show at Red Rocks! I love seeing live music and dancing my heart out, so that is definitely number one. We would also have to visit Rocky Mountain National Park and do a couple hikes, perhaps Lake Haiyaha or Chasm Lake if we’re feeling energized. While we’re around Estes, we’d have to stop by Coffee on the Rocks, because of its gorgeous views and duck watching! Heading back to Boulder, we’d take a dip in Boulder Creek and maybe do some hammocking to relax. Walking down Pearl Street is a must, ending the night with some Mexican food and a margarita! Overall, we’d need lots of time outdoors, enjoying the mountains, along with exploring the lively ambience of downtown Boulder.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I truly believe that the energy we surround ourselves with directly correlates to our mindset, beliefs, and goals. I would be nowhere today without the support of my wonderful parents, sisters, best friend, partner, and mentor. My parents and sisters know the importance of following one’s dreams, always urging me to chase fulfillment over a ‘stable’ day job paycheck. My best friend, Danielle, is an amazing artist and always helps me remember my worth and embody the value that I am bringing to others. My partner, Luke, is far from a photographer himself yet is always there to be my #1 fan, day in and day out. Lastly, my mentor Barbee has taught me more about building a strong business than I could ever learn from any book or course. She is a successful photographer based in Vermont, and she has spent countless hours helping me find my balance in the business world, showing me the ropes of building a sturdy foundation. The love I have for these people is infinitely bigger than any legacy my art could ever leave. I am forever grateful for their support!

Website: https://kayla-gray-creations.com

Instagram: @kaylagraycreations

Image Credits
Shawn Allard (OngoingMedia)