Today we’d like to introduce you to Kayla Armacost.
Hi Kayla, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, you could tell our readers some of your backstory.
I have always loved sunsets; I would take pictures every night. I found out I was pregnant at 19 and had my son in August of 2018; from that moment, a camera was always in my hand, just capturing every moment. On a limb, my husband bought me a Nikon camera, and I started to use it more than my phone and realized how in love I was with capturing these memories. Less than two years ago, I started taking photos for families by posting on Facebook to get clients and models. From there, I’ve grown to my third camera, photographing weddings, maternity photos, families, pets, you name it. I often post in Facebook groups to continue gaining clients and expanding my portfolio. I do this while juggling a full-time job; I want to get to a point where I can focus on photography one day.
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 been a challenging road. As it sounds super simple to “snap a photo,” the education in editing apps, finding them, cameras, settings, when is good sun exposure and when is too much, has all been a massive whirlwind of study and honestly practice to figure it out. My biggest struggles have been with the economy as it is, gaining clientele consistently, and truthfully learning all there is to know; no book can truly teach you like experience can.
Thanks for sharing that. So, you could tell us a bit more about your work.
I am a photographer specializing in family photoshoots, and I’m known for never saying no to a shoot idea. I’m so proud to be able to have started photography from the ground to where it is now, and the growth and ability to not give up. I love giving these memories to families and creating a relationship with them; I am so grateful to watch most of my client’s milestones as they go through them and give them that memory forever. Some things that set me apart from other photographers are my short turnaround time; most weddings are months of waiting, and I have a three-week turnaround time. I understand things happen; we’re all human, and I treat my clients as such; it is a business, but it wouldn’t be without them.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Being open-minded, open-hearted, patient, and optimistic are the main characteristics that are important to my success. I work with children often; sometimes, it’s not a good day or time for them; patience is key, and being open-minded to change the time, location, or even the plan for how the photos will go is essential. Nothing, especially in Florida, is predictable; some beautiful sunset shoots have turned into story-rainy ones, and that’s okay.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/armacostphotography?igsh=NGU4MmwyajB1M2I4
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/armacostphotography?mibextid=ZbWKwL
Image Credits
Photos by Armacost Photography
