Meet Kayleigh Farr (Bryceland) | Western Slope Family Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kayleigh Farr (Bryceland) and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kayleigh, why did you pursue a creative career?
I’ve always been a highly artistic and creative person, it just changes form through time. I’ve painted, I’ve wrote poetry, I’ve went through so many avenues of self expression but I’ve found that photography really grasped me as more than just a passing passion. Once motherhood hit me in my early twenties, I felt like I lost all time for myself as an individual, and with the sleep deprivation came the loss of who I was as a person at my core. All moms will understand that one, trying to realize who you are again in this new body and with your new calling. One day I decided that I wanted to capture the small memories for my children, and decided to pick up a camera. As cliche as it sounds, it blossomed from there. I was hit with this new wave of creativity and a burst of inspiration. I had found a way to intertwine creative artistry and motherhood. I could show up to sessions and be fully understanding of those little moments that mean so much to have captured. The real reality of motherhood, not just a Christmas card “fake smile and look at the camera”. But the realness of a breastfeeding Mom locking eyes with her baby as she reaches up for her Moms hair, or Mom taking a moment and watching her children play, or an embrace that comes after a meltdown. I love to look for the overlooked in-between moments that truly resonate with my momma heart. They are the moments we want to remember and cherish, they’re the feelings I want them to be able to feel all over again just by looking at a photo. Photography gives me the best of both worlds.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I think that as a creative, it’s our job to push the norm and the boundaries that keep us tied to a genre. We hear everyday that there’s new photographers, and we all know probably 5 people that do photography. So I try my best to focus on myself and my work and not to pay too much attention to the photographers in the valley around me – not that its a bad thing – I cheer them on when I happen upon them. But I truly need to have a free mind to be able to express myself through photography, and too much “input” and not enough “output” can really hinder the creative process.

I want to deliver my clients an experience that reflects who they are, but also something different that the norm. I photograph in the scenic outdoors, and am always looking for epic locations and not the average scenery you’d expect. I want depth and drama, color and boldness. I’ve pursued many education courses and taught myself photoshop so I can provide images that give life to my visions, and don’t fall flat when they meet the eye. I live for golden sunsets and the blue light when the sun finally stoops low enough. Storm clouds? Bring it on, I love the cloudy sunsets.

I pour my vision and soul into these sessions and editing, so I don’t take on any session that doesn’t fit my style. That was a big challenge for me – learning to say no. I have always been a people pleaser, but found that when I said yes to any session offer coming my way, I couldn’t fully express what I wanted to, nor did I enjoy it. That’s when the burn out can start to kick in. Coup that with mom guilt and you get a real sad mixture of angst. So to benefit everyone, I refer the sessions that I can’t give my full focus and energy to, and in turn, I get to photograph more of what I love. Its’ a win win!

I’d love for my brand to become known for evoking emotion. I want it to be about closeness and relationships, sun kissed skin and freckles on collarbones. Barefeet adventuring through the rocks with a grasp on moms hand and a feeling of safety. A sun soaked embrace with little hands on a moms blooming belly, and excited faces giggling about the new joy. A mom holding her toddler, with her newest baby in her belly, just embracing her daughter close and grieving the 1 on 1 time coming to an end, but also not knowing how vast the love with multiply soon. I want these feelings to be instantly remembered when they see my work.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well, the Colorado National Monument is always going to be one of the first places on the list. You just can’t beat the views unless you visit the Grand Canyon. Then maybe a day of dirt biking and exploring the Fruita Desert. Then up the Mesa to explore the lakes and wildflowers and catch a bear sighting or two. Then I’d take an hour drive over to Ouray and visit the hot springs and oddities shop. In terms of food, I love Guru’s Kitchen on Main Street for some authentic Nepal food, and Fiesta Guadalajara in Fruita for some amazing Mexican food. Stores and shopping – definitely Taylor’s Croft. A Scottish and British import store ran by none other than my wee mum. We moved here from Scotland and its just a great culture hub with the best British frozen foods, meats and chocolates.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My family deserve all the recognition and credit. For being my test subjects over the years, hiking trails with me to location scout and being good sports about my endless editing time glued to my computer. I truly couldn’t do this without them cheering me on.

I’ve found such a great photography community online and it truly helps to feel supported and have people encourage you. There is too many to name here, but if you go to my instagram then I’m sure you’ll find some that I’ve shared.

Website: www.kayleighanneimages.com

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kayleighanneimagess