Today we’d like to introduce you to Kayla Davis.
Hi Kayla, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My starting point began in 2019 after graduating college when I applied for a local jewelry designer internship. Then, after working hard, I was offered an “in-house” photography position, and did that until covid shut everything down. Clients and people, in general, couldn’t afford groceries and rent, myself included, let alone spending money on photos, so, briefly, I had to switch gears and market my business in a way that was a win-win for everyone involved. I also took a step back to regroup and look at the situation in a more positive light, and that allowed me to take the time to do the necessary research on how to cultivate my craft further and become a better businesswoman and photographer. Once that all settled, I was fired from my in-house position because they wanted to “go a different direction creatively,” which jump-started my freelance career. That moment sparked an inner confidence I never knew I had and allowed me to expand as an individual and view myself as an artist and not just a robot for someone and their brand. And here we are 2 years later, still fully freelancing. Minus the random farming gig I did in January to give myself a creative break from 2022 burnout.
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 has not been a smooth road, but I would not trade it for anything. The best way I can explain it is more like a continuous roller coaster where there are instants of “oh, this is fun; I’ve got this” followed by long horrifying moments of “I don’t know what I am doing, I’m scared, I’m going to crash and burn.” Now reading that out loud, one may think that is insane. Why or how could you enjoy that? To which I respond, you have to be a little mad to be successful in this industry, but also, being on this unpaved road has allowed me as a human to settle into myself and become the person I have always wanted to be. So to each is own. But in general, I have experienced everything from being fired to having a client threaten to sue me to having to hiss (not literally, but I am going to start doing that) at grown men for being creepy and trying to overstep into a shoot, plus much more.
We’ve been impressed with Great Aunt Tessie, but for folks who might need to be more familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart?
I am a photographer who is highly creative in all aspects. Not only do I do photography, I dabble with video, art direction, creative direction, and anything I can get my hands on. I love challenges and want to expand deeper into the fashion and product game. I am developing my style into a very eclectic, tasteful art form based on movement and complexity. The weirder, the better. Growing up around Austin, I have embedded into me the weirdness that was the essence of Austin from the 2000s. I have also been inspired lately by traveling to do jobs and connecting with people from all over. I have been networking in New York, Paris, and Los Angeles. I always want to expand myself beyond one location. I think the main thing that sets me apart from most creatives is my ability to transform between getting what the client needs, emulating their style or aesthetic, and then merging it with my taste to not only give them what they want but provide work that is highly artistic and ultimately allowing them to expand as a brand. Most photographers lock themselves into one style, and it is safe to say I am fluid and able to work in any industry and cultivate any aesthetic while maintaining my viewpoint as an artist. I want brands to know that I am available for travel anywhere, they can send me products, and I can plan a shoot locally, or if they need other creative services, I am their one-stop shop for any of their needs. I have an extensive network, here locally in Austin, that I try to share the wealth with by posting jobs or opportunities on behalf of brands. I want to improve this industry because I know how hard and exclusive it was when I started.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some changes you expect to see over the next five to ten years?
In the next 5 years, I plan to open a print shop for people to decorate their homes with my photography. Lowkey, one of my passions (mind you, I have a million) is decorating things, and I would die to see my work hung inside homes because I know how special I view the art in my home, and I want others to have that feeling as well. I also would love to have a published document or book that acts as a guideline or help book on everything I learned thus far. I would love to provide a useful document for other photographers starting out so they could focus more on developing their craft and art form rather than being exhausted from learning the business side of things.
Pricing:
- 150 per hour (photography services)
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davis.photo/?hl=en
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/kayla-dawn-davis
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@davis.photo?lang=en
Image Credits
Brittany Gilpin and Gabrielle Tanner
