Meet Kiera Gregory | Owner of Endless Autumn Photography

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

Hi Kiera, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
My entire life, I was under the impression that I needed a ‘real’ job. Despite photography being a passion of mine since I was big enough to hold a camera, I was consistently told that it was not a viable job to sustain nor support myself, so I went back to the drawing board. 

I worked hard in school, and graduated Summa Cum Laude with my degree in Psychology and Criminal Justice, with the hopes of working in Juvenile Delinquency. However, my husbands military career left us moving constantly (mostly overseas), which meant that my ‘real job’ was just not attainable. I eventually took jobs around the base that weren’t in line with my career goals, which left me feeling over-worked, and un-fulfilled. I considered trying my hand at professional photography a few more times, but would end up discrediting myself along the way. “I can’t do that! I didn’t take enough courses”, “I don’t have a clue about how to run a business” or even “I’m not smart enough to figure out photoshop”. You get the point.

As my husbands military career was coming to an end, I could not stop thinking about it finally being my chance to pursue a career, and photography was first in my mind. I jumped in head first, and did as much research as possible to learn just what steps I needed to take to finally pursue my dream.

Before I knew it, I had a full-blown business and was growing! Rapidly, I might add. I couldn’t believe it! I had incredible clients who were trusting MY vision. Clients who allowed me to take complete creative control, and try any and all ideas I may have for their session. Clients who were seeking out MY style. Clients who graced me with compliments about how important their photos were; for giving them memories for them to cherish, endlessly. 

I finally had a profession and it was something I always dreamed of doing. For the first time, I had the realization of “This is it. THIS is where I’m called. THIS is what I’m meant to do.”

Being creative gives me every sense of belonging, purpose and fulfillment that I have craved for years. The hours are long and the days are full. But they are filled with such passion, excitement, and disbelief that I am lucky enough to call my art, my job.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My photography is inspired by warm and moody tones, which also happen to capture my own personality. I’ve always had a love for darker tones, themes, design, and so forth. Being able to give my images an edge, helps portray a sultry connection that I LOVE. This love for moody warm tones, is also part of the inspiration behind the name ‘Endless Autumn’. 

As this business is only six months old, some believe that its growth has come easy. While it did happen to boom rather quickly, there have been immense struggles along the way. To begin, I started Endless Autumn with zero business degree or knowledge on how to run a business. That, coupled with still being new to photography, new to photoshop, new to learning how to make a website, sending invoices, managing expenses, bookkeeping, time management, social media marketing… you get the picture. I was new to everything needed to keep a business afloat. I spent countless days and nights researching, planning and losing sleep over how I was going to make it happen. I did my best to portray a professional business, while on the inside, I felt completely incapable. But, what people saw outwards left them to assume I had been doing this for years, which in turn, left me with the pressure to perform as if I had. 

Eventually, I realized that pressure was going to make me reach a breaking point. Instead, I found that being honest with clients about my inexperience, but continuing to put out work I was proud of and ensuring them that I would do my best to meet their needs, has worked best. It has allowed me to make mistakes, learn how to correct them, make my clients happy, and freed me from the pressure of perfection. 

While I don’t know what the future holds for Endless Autumn, I’d like to think this photography business could potentially change the way people see moody photography. I hope people can see the beauty within the connection ‘darker’ photography can bring out. I hope there can be an end to the stigma of how ‘light and bright’ wedding photography is ‘supposed to’ be. I hope to continue to connect with clients who have a vision slightly off the ‘norm’, and I hope to capture that vision for them, in a way that speaks to their true self.

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.
Albuquerque is home to the best New Mexican food you’ll ever experience, which means you can easily spend your time eating delicious food around the city. I personally enjoy going to El Pinto, Wecks, or Sadies to get my New Mexican dishes, but honestly, New Mexico traditions (like putting green Chile on everything) can be found in most restaurants. And if grabbing a drink or two is more your thing, I’d also highly recommend going to Sawmill Market, or TinCan Alley to get your fix. From there, you can mosey around Old Town for some shopping, or take one of the many trails in the foothills to get in some great hiking, or biking. You can end the day by going to Top Golf, the Main Event, or Urban Air, where you can spend some time with friends and family, playing games and hanging out. Whether inside or outside, there’s always something fun to do.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to thank my husband for being my number one support system. He has always supported this dream of mine, and allowed me to invest in the necessary equipment, take the courses, and do what I needed to, to start my business. The costs were immense, the hours away from home have been extensive, and yet, he has stepped up to watch our three children and pick up where I have lacked at home. Thank you, love. I’d also like to thank some of my amazing photographer friends, Shan, Megan, and Taylor, who have answered all of my millions of questions, and who have helped guide and support me on this journey. You are amazing and I’m so thankful for you.

Website: https://endlessautumnphotography.mypixieset.com/

Instagram: @EndlessAutumnPhotography https://instagram.com/endlessautumnphotography?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Facebook: @EndlessAutumnPhotography

Image Credits
@EndlessAutumnPhotography