Today we’d like to introduce you to Kayla Swift.
Thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, how did you get started?
My Aunt, Stacy Becker, was a portrait studio photographer at CPI Corporation for 22 years. My cousins and I would get our pictures done all the time. I remember having so much fun in the studio and getting portraits taken of myself! My Aunt took pictures of everything. My family and I have many captured memories to reflect on today. I am so grateful for that. Once my cousins and I got a little older, we would take the camera to our stable and do styled shots with the horses. I always said that I would love to work for National Geographic and take pictures of the animals! However, I only considered being a photographer once I took a Photography 101 class in college. I had to borrow all of my camera equipment from a friend that semester. The class made me realize that I enjoyed photography and reminded me of when I was a kid. My parents bought me my first set of gear for Christmas in 2018, and I have been offering photography services ever since.
Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
It hasn’t been a smooth road. I have learned everything on the way, from creating and running my own small business to trying different camera companies to figure out which one I like the most. I had to build up my clientele. I started with the cheapest gear and have slowly upgraded along the way. I have enjoyed every part of what led me here today. There is always something to learn!
Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a photographer. I specialize in weddings, boudoirs, couples, seniors, styled, and animal portraits. I absolutely adore photographing anything, but weddings and boudoirs are my favorites! I am an affiliate photographer of The Tilly Project, which is an international 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that aims to connect pet owners with end-of-life pet photographers across the world and to provide accessible, educational, and supportive resources for photography, anticipatory grief, and pet loss/bereavement. This is a free service that I offer in the Wentzville area!
What makes you happy?
I adore animals and have a few of my own. I have one dog, a horse, and 2 bunnies. I am a foster mom of Dolly’s Dream Home Rabbit Rescue, located in Saint Charles, MO. I grew up in a Jeep-owning family and enjoyed going off-roading and cruising with my friends. I attend many events hosted by Midwest Off-Road HERS, a nonprofit females Jeep club located in the STL area. As a photographer, I love meeting new people and watching them grow over the years. I love building solid relationships with my clients and continuing to photograph all of the special moments in their lives!
Contact Info:
- Website: kaylaswiftphotography.com
- Instagram: kaylaswiftphotog
- Facebook: kaylaswiftphotog
Image Credits
Kayla Swift Photography LLC
