Meet Kelly Peterson Frazier | Professional Photographer and Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kelly Peterson Frazier and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kelly, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
What was your thought process behind starting your business?
I love art. I love looking at the world in creative ways. I love challenging myself to get better. And that all started in high school, leading me to take classes and seminars in photography and even submitting my work to contests with a few wins on my belt. By the time I had gotten to college, I had a makeshift website and social media portfolio that I found myself telling people about. People were interested—to my surprise sometimes. So, I took photos for people for free for a while until I realized that my talent was turning into a skill. Young-adult-me decided to continue embarking on this journey little by little which became more of a reality each month by creating financial goals, efficient workflows, marketing plans, and researching gear. I think photography chose me more than I chose it honestly.

What’s one piece of conventional advice that you disagree with?
Such a creative question! I’ve found out that once you open the door to professional development, there is an overwhelming amount of information that distracts you from the “it factor” that makes you unique in the first place. I do my best work when I’m not basing it off of someone else’s business, at least until I reflect on a specific gap that I would like to fill. This isn’t natural for me to say as a trained and passionate educator, but I have found that I have to create my own grooved rock from custom processes that work well with my why, mission, and client experience—which are all super important to me. The tangible product I’m providing to the world, also known as pictures, are often delivered in the intangible form, also known as confidence, legacies, and relationships. So, I have to listen to my soul on that.

Risk taking: how do you think about risk, what role has taking risks played in your life/career?
I was just talking about this topic with my sister. Everyone is different of course, but I tend not to be a super risky person. I value slow and creative growth. I’m not someone who leaps into a financial gap—at least for now. I like to make small pivots and stairsteps to get to the next best level in order to look back after a year or two and see the progress. I’m sure there are a lot of readers who make pro and con lists in their heads and I relate to that. That pro list has to be substantial enough for me to trust it. For example, I changed my website platform this year which brought some setbacks including losing virtual traffic for a while, but I liked the way the new system connected to my client galleries, making the process seamless for everyone involved. To me, that was a pivot rather than a risk.

What habits do you feel helped you succeed?
Being organized is one of the foundations of my business, especially as a solo business owner. I have to be efficient and effective with everything I do. So, I take upfront time to create a filing system for all of my photos, documents, contracts, invoices, etc. so that the backend time is better. Another process that helps me in the service industry is answering emails personally and quickly (I say that ironically since it took me a while to get back to Kimberly for this article). It’s almost a non-habit since I check them throughout the day instead of in a routine format. I could see why that slows my brain for other important tasks, but being there for my clients is my number one priority. My dad always said, “It’s impossible to overcommunicate,” which isn’t true, but I err on that side.

What is the most important factor behind your success / the success of your brand?
My gut answer is my family. I have a crazy schedule and come home late, work late, get up early for sunrise photoshoots, you name it, and my husband never questions it. He makes sure I have eaten food or packed my water bottle and hugs me after a long day. When you don’t have coworkers, it’s super important to pour into your personal life with intentional quality time. We call it “talk time” when I need to discuss different business goals. My mom has also always been a huge part of growing this business and often tags along on my long car rides to the mountains. She’ll hike around while I work with my clients, then we’ll debrief on the way back. She’s perfectly blunt and observant. But if I had to answer this question with another word, it would be grit. Dust yourself off and keep stepping forward.

What’s the most important lesson your business/career has taught you?
That this complicated world is beautiful. Us humans do our best every day to make all the puzzles fit. I’ve had the pleasure to meet so many experts in their field who want to make the world a little better the next day and that’s special. I’ve worked with social media managers, web designers, tax accountants, coffee shop owners, cattle ranchers, you name it, and I’ve realized that dream work makes the team work. Yes, I know the saying goes the other way, but following dreams is what keeps people motivated. And my dream is to keep capturing this complicated, beautiful world with the humans inside.

Work life balance: how has your balance changed over time? How do you think about the balance?
Well, this is a hard one for me, as I’m sure it is for many business owners. There is no one else to hand the work over to, so the results stay on my shoulders. I feel lucky to be a young adult with lots of energy to give to this passion of mine. But if you see my calendar, you’ll see that I literally schedule in walks, yoga, rest, social time, and even lunch sometimes. I have to remind myself that I like to sit on the front porch and read. I will simply forget and wonder why a few weeks later why I’m stressed. “Oh yeah, I haven’t stopped to breathe.” I’ve gotten better about this over time since it’s an intentional goal I make with my therapist on a regular basis.

How did I come up with the idea for your business?
As I’ve mentioned before, I like to dream and be creative. So, I feel like I’m always coming up with ideas for my business. It’s built on the premises of photos, but really, it’s rooted in being present with loved ones. I didn’t have professional photos of my dad; he passed away and now it’s too late. My business shapeshifted from just a photography business to a brand that acknowledges mortality. It’s a brand that shapeshifts a piece of mail into authentic words and photos on your fridge. It’s a brand that shapeshifts a photoshoot into a date night with your special person. It’s a brand that shapeshifts a gallery into the way someone looks at themselves in the mirror. It’s a brand that shapeshifts wall decorations into inspiring reminders of love. As long as I have this business, I want to be coming up with ideas rooted in love.

Why did you pursue an artistic or creative career?
Ah, I ask myself this question every day! It’s no cake walk because it takes a lot of energy to create each day. And since I still have to do all of the logistics and business alongside the creative industry itself, I definitely have to learn when to juggle and when not to. I grew up in a family of analytics, engineers, and medical professionals. Going into this career is going against the grain. Sometimes, I wonder, “Who else is doing this crazy thing?” Lots of wonderful people is the answer, including Brene Brown. No joke, she keeps me inspired to value liberal arts even though she coincidently is a scientist, who happens to research liberal art topics. Us humans rely on art to connect with one another which is one of the most important things we can do for our brain to function. We’re meant to connect. I pursue this career to connect.

What are you inspired by?
Lots of things! I love ditches. You know what I mean? The roadside wildflowers as you buzz by are gorgeous! I love long shadows when the sun is low, casting its orange hue across the landscape. I love baby toes and feel so honored to be one of the first people to meet new mini people in their cribs and be held by their mammas. I love when rain droplets slide down a window with a little jazz music in the background. I love those conversations with clients that remind us that we are alive and well.

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 read this question, it made me chuckle and think of the 60 photoshoots that I delivered via Google Drive before I purchased a professional online gallery system. You start where you can. You improve where you can. It’s amazing to reflect about the long-term process of a brand. When I first began, my goal was to take the best pictures possible with what was in front of me. I know that sounds like, “Duh, don’t you still do that?” Well, no actually, now that I have a style rooted in authenticity, nature, love, warmth, light, and joy, I prepare and capture people with vision in mind. It might not necessarily be the “best” for what’s in front of me, but it’s what tells the story artistically and naturally. I’ve learned that the process of building a brand is also building yourself. What values are important to you? How do you handle problem solving? How do you prioritize your time? Definitely pursue something that you can’t get enough of. My business mostly feels like a never-ending passion project. If it doesn’t feel that way, I would be afraid of the burn-out rate since small businesses require a lot of heart and soul that don’t fit into 9:00-5:00 hours. Kelly Photo & Design is part of my identity now; it’s a rollercoaster, definitely not smooth sailing. This decision worked today, but it’s not working today. Pivot! Overall, I remind myself that when I feel most aligned is when I serve others. That’s not always the easy path in a business, so it’s something I have to intentionally come back to regularly. Am I still serving people? Is it okay to serve myself in this instance? What boundaries will be effective? Take inventory!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Don’t get me started on Estes Park, my favorite place! I definitely take out-of-town guests and clients to the best-ever Rocky Mountain National Park often. Monday would be dedicated to driving, exploring the town, and grabbing a bite to eat at the creek-side Way Finder Restaurant. Then, we would get up early after getting a timed entry pass the night before at 7:00 PM. Be right on time on the national park system for that! We would do the famous Emerald Lake trail by parking in the Bear Lake lot and taking the shuttle. Then, we head back in town to Snowy Peak Winery for some cheese and tastings. Take the Estes Park Gondola in the afternoon for some valley views and relax at Estes Park Condos with a book along the babbling Fall River. Head back into the park after 6:00 PM for a sunset drive to Moraine Park with a wine bottle you picked up earlier. Maybe have reservations ready for Twin Owls Steakhouse at 7:30 PM. Last day in Estes on Wednesday: go for the big dog of Chasm Lake (8 challenging miles) next to the 14er of Longs Peak. Take a nap and then head back into the park one last time for the grand finale called Trail Ridge Road. It’ll take an hour or more to get all the way to the top and see the Switzerland-like peaks. Bring a coat and make sure you have gas. As we head out of town the next morning, we’ll stop at Coffee on the Rocks and Colorado Cherry Company for the beautiful drive home. Thursday will be a brewery hopping day in Longmont, including Wibbey, Pumphouse, 300 Suns, and Left Hand. Friday will be a Boulder day to see the gorgeous Flatirons at Chautauqua Park and walk along Pearl Street with all their eclectic stores and ice cream shops. End the day at Lost Gulch Lookout for the sunset; it won’t disappoint. Overall, Colorado is filled with the best views, so look out the window and get outside to enjoy.

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?
My family is the first thing I think of when I wake up and the last thing I think of when I go to bed at night. My resilient sisters Sydney and Danielle keep me in check, but also motivate the bejesus out of me. My formal/informal third sister Sierra always asks about my writing and what’s going in my head which is an honor. I am grateful for my mother’s consistent dedication and nonchalance to my crazy ideas. My father is my guardian angel in the sky that I’m always trying to make proud—and I know he is. And to my husband Zac and doggo Holly, big thank you for all the snuggles and emotional support. In all seriousness, Zac, you are my muse. Lastly, to all my former and future clients, you make every single thing in this business possible. Thank you for being a part of my dream. And to all the people I haven’t mentioned, you are an extremely important part of my world with every conversation and quality time we spend together.

Website: https://www.kellyphotoanddesign.com

Instagram: kellyphotoanddesign

Image Credits
Kelly Photo & Design LLC