Meet Kelcey Schroder | Owner | Professional Photographer

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

Hi Kelcey, why did you pursue a creative career?
I had a wonderful childhood filled with creativity and exploration. My mother played a significant role in fostering my love for artistic mediums, including bead work, braiding, stamping, music, sewing, scrap booking, and card-making. Additionally, I would frequently visit family members’ small businesses in my hometown, where I learned valuable skills such as counting back change, putting price stickers on new inventory, making cappuccinos and lattes, stocking displays, and interacting with customers. At the age of eight, I vividly remember standing on a stool behind the register counting back change and saying “Thank you, have a nice day!” to customers.

When I turned fourteen, I picked up my family’s 35mm point and shoot camera and started taking pictures outside. I mostly photographed nature and animals, as they were what I enjoyed and had the easiest access to. As my passion for photography grew, so did my desire to improve my skills and equipment. During my freshman year in high school, I immediately joined the yearbook staff, which turned out to be a before and after school commitment. I quickly learned how to roll my own black and white 35mm film, photograph night football games and poorly-lit gymnasium basketball games with a 35mm Canon AE1, print in the darkroom, and use rubber cement to create page layouts for the yearbook.

Besides photography, my high school years were filled with various extracurricular activities such as gymnastics, dance, band (percussion), art classes, theater, and improv acting. Throughout my four years in high school, I was fortunate to have excellent educators in my small town school, including not one, but two excellent art teachers, a helpful yearbook teacher, an influential band director, a motivating theater and English teacher, a wise wood and metal working teacher, and a supportive choir director. Their guidance and support have been invaluable to me, and I am grateful to still be in contact with them today. Many of them have even become clients of my photography business.

As someone with an entrepreneurial spirit ingrained in me my entire life, I knew by the time I was sixteen years old that I wanted to pursue a degree in either music or photography. I knew neither path would be easy, and I also knew I wouldn’t be wealthy (the “starving artist” stigma was very much on my radar). However, my gut told me I wouldn’t be happy doing anything else. I decided to apply to two colleges to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree in Photography and was accepted to Columbia College of Chicago.

At the center of everything are my family members, who have been my anchors from the beginning. I give them a lot of credit for investing in me and my business, and supporting me in every way they can. My grandmothers were my biggest fans and cheerleaders. They always wanted to see what I was photographing and hear stories of my photo adventures. Although I miss them both dearly, I know they would be proud of me and everything I’ve accomplished.

I believe I was always destined to be creative in some shape or form, and I haven’t looked back.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have been photographing professionally for just shy of 15 years. And, unlike many photographers, I don’t have a particular niche. Obtaining my Bachelor of Arts degree in photography meant enrolling in a variety of photography courses including documentary, darkroom, digital photography, studio lighting, 4×5 view camera, history of photography, and more. This experience made me into a well rounded photographer, being able to professionally light indoors, outdoors, shoot film and digital, and utilizing different cameras as an asset for the subject matter I was photographing. These skills directly translated in to the variety of subject matter I photograph today.

However, with all that hands on photography experience, I wish I had more business focus education. Operating every aspect of the business by yourself is quite the challenge! I learned to find people you trust, and ask questions. Lots and lots of questions. I also learned to forgive myself when something didn’t work out quite like I wanted. A great business owner knows how to pivot, adapt, and revisit things when they’re not functioning quite like you need them to.

My photography business is a direct reflection of myself. I put my heart and soul into my photographs. I love meeting new people and creating memories for them. The feedback I get from clients after they receive their photos makes it worth it every time. I love what I do, and I love bringing joy to people. My motto has always been, “You only regret the photos you don’t take.”

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?
Sioux Falls is a fast growing city, and one of the greatest parts about that is more and more locally owned businesses. I would take them to The Breaks Coffeehouse & Roastery to have the best coffee around, and meet everyone that works and frequents there. My dog Mya loves visiting–everyone is kind and genuine. The coffee is perfect, plus they have specialty coffee drinks, tea, beer, and local Songbird kombucha.

I’d take them to Sanaa’s Gourmet Mediterranean restaurant. The food is made from scratch every day, there are gluten free, vegetarian, and vegan options, and Sanaa is one of the most hard working, smart, and beautiful humans in Sioux Falls. The food is incredibly delicious and Sanaa has given back so much to our community and the world. A must stop in Sioux Falls.
I love being outside, so a bike ride on “the loop” a 19 mile loop around the city is the perfect way to see a lot and get some exercise. Another favorite outdoor activity is hiking the many trails at Good Earth State Park just south east of the city. My dog, Mya loves hiking the trails and taking in the beautiful views of the Big Sioux River and plentiful native wildflowers. Mya and I also love visiting The Deku Tree, and amazing oasis of rare plants. A must see to believe. Owner Joshua is a gem to chat with and learn more about plants. We always leave with a new plant…or three.

After that, a cold brew hits the spot. We are fortunate to have several craft breweries in Sioux Falls that always have a good variety of brews on tap–something that everyone can enjoy. WoodGrain Brewing Co., Remedy Brewing Co., Covert Artisan Ales, and Severance Brewing, just to name a few are always in the rotation of stops. All of them have an outdoor patio and all are dog friendly!

One of my favorite places to relax and kick back in their comfy, recliner seats is the State Theater downtown–they play a variety of old and new movies in a beautifully restored historical theater. Plus they make the best popcorn!

I don’t go shopping much, but when I do, I keep it local. Terra Shepherd has my go-tos for sustainable, ethical beauty supplies, clothing, and home goods, Zandbroz Variety has fun gifts, art, gadgets, and tons of books. Total Drag and Crosstown Vinyl are always a good pit stop to flip through some crates of vinyl–you’ll never know what you’ll find. And last but not least, my two favorite local vintage/thrift businesses, ModStash Vintage & The Green Penny. I can always find some amazing vintage threads or props for my businesses from them.

The best places to stay when visiting are any property managed by SoDak Stays. I have photographed every property that owners Kayla & Albert have to create their short term stay listings. They put a lot of care and details into their short term property stays–and the best way to stay in a city is to be in the most comfortable dwellings in the best areas of the city, with all the amenities. Hot tub, sauna, pool, comfy beds, pillows, all squeaky clean and quiet.

Sioux Falls has the small town feel in a city with a lot to offer. I can guarantee anyone will make fast friends with many people here. The community is a fun loving, supportive, and caring one.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Shoutout to my Mom! She is a great Mom and my best friend. She’s helped me be confident, independent and in her famous words, “Tough, like a woman!”. My Mom has always told me I can do and be anything, and she helped me do that over and over again. She’s the most self-less person I know. She gives back to local non-profits, she loves animals, and has the biggest, most caring heart. If I ever run across a problem or a difficult decision, I call my Mom. I love her so much!

Website: www.kelceyschroder.com

Instagram: kelceyschroderphoto

Facebook: facebook.com/kelceyschroderphoto

Image Credits
First image of Mya & I laying in grass: Kelly Middlebrooks – Little White Dog Photography Other 8 images: Kelcey Schroder Photography