Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaylyn Conroy.
Hi Kaylyn, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve had an obsession with taking pictures. In my childhood years, I used to beg for a disposable camera every time we went to the store, which I’d then use to photograph all the family pets. Fast forward to high school, I used an old iPod to take creative images that I later submitted in my AP 2D design art portfolio and ended senior year taking senior portraits of a few friends.
My love for photography didn’t stop there, I started my photography business in 2019 with a camera I had purchased with the last $500 to my name. I just ran with it, shooting all the time, absorbing all of the knowledge I could and perfecting my craft. One of my first really fun couple’s photoshoots was with recently engaged friends who had asked me on the spot to photograph their wedding. I was unsure of the challenge but after upgrading my equipment, agreed to photograph it. From there, I absolutely fell in love with weddings and all things couples. In 2021, I began pursuing brand photography work as well and officially added it to my services in 2022.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not in the slightest! When I had just started out in 2019, the photography industry was still rather “guarded.” You really had to dig to find specific information pertaining to running a photography business and there were only a few more well-known photographers who were sharing information willingly.
I’m a very “I can do it myself” type of person and like to challenge myself. I struggled at first with getting everything off the ground and running, realizing quickly I needed to ask for help. I hired a business coach in 2020 which helped me tremendously, but there were still a ton of learning curves.
No one tells you what all goes into a running a photography business so going into it blind, I quickly realized I had a ton of growing to do. I taught myself basic coding to build my website from scratch, learned about contracts/legal clauses and CRM tools, etc. The whole first 12-18 months was honestly just trial and error, figuring out what worked and didn’t and really honing in on further developing my skills in both photography and business.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in weddings, elopements, all things couples and brands – local to Houston, TX and worldwide!
What I’m known for and what sets me apart from others are a few things. First, being my editing style – if it could be a feeling, I’d compare it to the feeling you have when you’re cozied up around a campfire with your loved ones. It’s vibrant, nostalgic, with a touch of warmth and at times, a dash of film grain – like a moment you want to take a polaroid photo of.
And as for my shooting style – I very seldom “pose” my clients. I tell my clients to expect to be moving around and provide lots of direction and fun prompts to get photos that feel more true to the people I’m photographing. At the end of their sessions, they’re always so surprised at how much fun they actually had.
Next, I’d say client experience/interaction is what sets me apart from most. I don’t view my relationship with my clients as “transactional.” I take pride in getting to know them beyond the surface level and I believe that’s one of the greatest secrets of creating incredible images and why you’ll find a lot of emotion in my photos – I’m truly invested in each person I work with. Human emotion and connection is so important in my work and I think that really shines through when I have the opportunity to create images of moments that will simply come and go.
On the other hand, I’ve been enjoying brand photography for similar reasons! At the current moment, I’m working with brands from the beauty industry and camping/outdoors industry. Sometimes I look at a product and I like to think “how can I photograph this brand’s product in a way that connects with the viewer?” It’s very fun for me to put myself in the shoes of a consumer and almost dream up a story – “what would entice me to buy this? In what way do I need to see this product to see it being a good fit for my life?” I think my interesting perspective really helps me to create content for brands that really connect with people.
I’m most proud of how far I’ve come! I’m a huge dreamer and it’s been such a blessing to watch this business I’ve created flourish in ways that I never could’ve imagined.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
My clients are a huge part of why I’m here, running this amazing business! Each and every one of them has a special place in my heart and I’m forever grateful for the opportunities I’ve had with all of them.
In 2020, I hired Aislinn Timmons of Aislinn Timmons Photography as my brand coach and her tremendous help early on is what allowed me to dive head first into booking weddings and elopements. Business coaching was easily one of the greatest and important purchases I’ve ever made.
As for my biggest supporter, it’s singlehandedly my husband, Dusty. He’s come to so many of my shoots, filmed behind-the-scenes videos for me, coordinated clients at my mini sessions, and has even gone as far as to learn photography from me to be my second shooter at weddings. He’s always believed in me and has been my biggest cheerleader since day one. I truly wouldn’t be where I am today without him.
Lastly, I have to give credit to a couple of my dearest friends.
Mo, the owner of Lash Out in Friendswood, TX hired me to photograph her salon/social media content and quickly became a friend who has pushed and encouraged me in all the best ways as well as provided me with amazing opportunities. It was Mo who originally pushed me out of my comfort zone to begin working with brands.
And next is Kristin of Kristin Elise Photography based in Kansas. We both flew out to Wyoming for a photography workshop in 2021 and hit it off instantly. We’re always planning to travel together and bouncing ideas off each other. She definitely inspires me to chase my dreams and is someone I can confide in with everything from work to personal life. Our phone conversations are always 3-4 hours long if that tells you anything haha! We’re also working together on something new coming soon!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kaylynmarie.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaylynmariephoto/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kaylynmariephoto
