Daily Inspiration: Meet Kayla Matthews

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kayla Matthews

Hi Kayla, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’ve always been the photo taking friend. Started doing portraits at 14 of my friends and that progressed to being the friend on vacation getting all the Instagram worthy shots. I was working as a remote travel nurse recruiter for a few years and in January of 2024, my company laid off about 70% of their employees. That very same day, I took my professional camera that had sat in a closet for years to a local photographer and said “Teach me how to use this.”

The months following, I was terrified. Applied for literally about 150+ jobs. I did as many free photography courses as I could find. Learning about lighting, posing and how the settings in the camera work together. Youtube videos for hours learning how to use editing software. Before I even did my first FREE photoshoot, I had already created a website, and my social platforms. I guess you could say, I knew in my heart I was going to be able to make this work. In March, I started doing free photoshoots for all the friends that would allow me to practice on them.

I had gotten a temp commission only job that they promised would work well with my photography & flexible schedule. When it didn’t, I decided I had to jump all in on photography. I marketed myself strategically until I found my niche audience & shared my personal story alot on my socials. Within 2 weeks my whole next month was totally booked up.

It has truly been a blessing and I am so thankful to those who believed in me and allowed me to practice to become who I am today.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It is never a smooth road. If its smooth, it’s not worth it.

I do feel the hardest part was getting friends to allow me to practice on them.
Learning the software wasn’t easy. Learning the settings in the camera was a complete different language. Looking back, the road wasn’t as bumpy as it maybe should have felt, because I was passionate about what I am doing.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am still dabbling in a little bit of everything for now and figuring out what I enjoy the most.
Primarily, I work with families. However, my best work is in couples and engagement.

In general, I have this natural ability to make people instantly feel comfortable. Like they’ve known me forever & all of my clients would tell you the same thing. While it is probably just because I am unapologetically my weird, outgoing self all the time. I also like to think it is because I make the photos a whole experience.
You aren’t just getting images when you work with me. We turn on music and have dance parties sometimes, we play games where I direct folks on what to do so I can get those breathtaking shots everyone dreams about. What makes working with me different from anyone else is the experience of it all. The games, the music, the photographer/director (me).
It really makes it fun for everyone including photo hating husbands & kids! 🙂

I am most proud of the ability to make a time that most would find awkward or uncomfortable & turn it into a wonderful experience for all to enjoy. I always hear “that was so much more fun than I thought it would be” at the end of my sessions.

Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
I started this after COVID so I dont have much to share here.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kaylamatthewsbeachphotography.mypixieset.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/km.beach.photography?igsh=ZzZmbTNyaDExeXZt&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kayla.matthews.beach.photography?mibextid=LQQJ4d