Inspiring Conversations with Kailee Morris Derr of Kailee Rose Photo + Video

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kailee Morris Derr.

Hi Kailee, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
For as long as I can remember, I’ve had a camera in my hands. Growing up in the suburbs of Philadelphia, I was the oldest of three sisters. My youngest sister was 7 years younger than me, and I realized how fast time goes while watching her grow up. I was obsessed with documenting everyday memories of my family. From playing with my sisters in our yard during summertime to Christmas day opening presents together, I laugh now not realizing that this was what I was meant to always do. I started out studying interior design in college until I realized it was so not for me. It took me two years of struggling to figure out that my passion and “hobby” of photography and videography was more than just that.

During my winter break of sophomore year, I spent all my time creating a photography website instead of doing design assignments. That’s when it started to hit me that I really wanted to make this my career. I just wasn’t sure how. My then-boyfriend, now husband, introduced me to Nashville. I fell in love with the small-town feeling Nashville had and found out that Middle Tennessee State University had an amazing film program. Two years later, I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree and a variety of experience in the field and there were so many paths I didn’t even realize I could go with my degree. Ultimately, I volunteered to help a friend film a wedding while in school and I knew there was something special about it from the first one.

I was helping document one of the happiest days of people’s lives – for them to relive, for their family to remember, and for future generations to feel a part of. It’s pretty special to have couples trust me to tell their love stories. I am beyond grateful for every day I’ve been a part of and every story I’ve had the honor of sharing. I have now been capturing weddings, elopements, and love stories of all kinds all over the country for over three years, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I think I always knew that I was meant to have my own business and be an entrepreneur, but it definitely didn’t come easily. I doubted myself a lot and would often let fear creep in and hold me back. I didn’t even realize the decisions I’ve been making to set myself up for success for years now – from investing in my expensive camera gear to attending educational retreats and styled shoots nationwide – I wanted to learn everything. But it took me a while to truly believe I could do this on my own without any “plan B” to fall back on. Leaving the security of my 9-5, the benefits it offered, and the supportive coworkers and boss who kept me on the track were terrifying. I would have to figure out how to support myself, be my own boss, cheerleader, teammate… the list goes on. This is my first year running my business full-time.

Once I made the leap, everything felt right. I have only been happier from it. Struggles were still going to be present, and the biggest obstacle I have had to face while adjusting is my mental health. Being an entrepreneur is hard work and often mentally draining. With no “clock in” and “clock out” times, I have felt burnout, sporadic sleeping schedules, and often forgotten that I need breaks – if not to eat, to simply stay mentally sane. When you love something you do so much, it’s hard to find a balance between work and life. Work is your life and life is your work. I am a big advocate for mental health and I would have days when I would be fighting depression and anxiety to the point of them being physically debilitating.

I had to find motivation, fight the feeling of not being good enough, pick myself back up, and continue to live this dream of a career that I couldn’t be more thankful for!

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Kailee Rose Photo + Video?
I specialize in destination wedding photography + videography, capturing intimate + adventurous moments wherever my couples choose to tie the knot. If it’s an intimate elopement with just the most important people or a stunning wedding surrounded by family and friends, I’m there + ready for it all!

Since photography and videography are a type of art and art can be subjective, I have always included this question in my inquiry form for couples who want to learn more about me: “What did you love about my art or made you want to reach out?” It’s super important to me that couples have connected with my work in some form so that I know I can serve them well! And couples have blown me away with their answers! There has been a particular repetitive answer that has definitely shown what my art captures. It goes along the lines of “I can see the joy you capture in your photos,” and “I can feel the emotions of their day, it’s so joyous and intimate.” I love when I see this! I know that it means I am doing exactly what I hope for – making the experience an enjoyable one for my clients as well as documenting the day in a way they can truly relive what they felt in those moments. So happy that this shows in my work!

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Most of my clients come from referrals, word of mouth, and followers simply sharing my work with others. If it’s liking a social media post, clients sharing their photos/videos with the world, leaving reviews about their experience for others to read about, or commenting on blogs I write, it all makes such a HUGE difference!

Contact Info:

• Website: kaileerose.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/kaileerosephotovideo
• Facebook: facebook.com/kaileerosephotovideo
• Other: vimeo.com/kaileerose