We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kellie Llewellyn a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Kellie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Do you take vacations? How do you keep things going – any advice for entrepreneurs who feel like they can’t step away from their business for a short vacation?

Well, kind of! My ‘vacations’ have turned into travel sessions all over the US, blending my love for travel with photography. Some of the places I’ve been for senior and family sessions include NYC, the Oregon Coast, San Diego, Joshua Tree, the Glamis Sand Dunes, Glacier National Park, Ouray, CO, Nashville, and Florida. As I’m writing this, I’m actually on my way to Charleston, SC to take my oldest son’s senior photos! Most of the seniors who book a travel session opt for the two-day package so we can explore even more locations and capture a variety of settings.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Hey there! I’m Kellie, and I’m a travel and family photographer with a special love for working with seniors, families, and small businesses. I’ve been in the photography world for about seven years now, and what started as a passion for documenting life turned into this amazing career that lets me capture meaningful moments for my clients.

I got into photography because I’ve always been drawn to creativity and storytelling. There’s just something about freezing a moment in time and giving people a way to hold onto it forever. Now, I do everything from senior portraits and family sessions to branding and headshots for businesses. Travel photography is also a huge part of what I do—I’ve had the chance to shoot in incredible places like NYC, the Oregon Coast, Charleston, and even Glacier National Park. It’s all about blending adventure & creativity.

For my clients, I’m all about making the process fun, laid-back, and personal. Whether it’s a senior session that tells their unique story or helping a small business put their best face forward with updated branding images, I strive to create photos that are authentic and full of personality. I think what sets me apart is my approach—I build real connections with the people I work with, and that comes through in the photos. Plus, I offer travel sessions, which not a lot of photographers do, so that adds a really fun and unique element.

One of the things I’m most proud of is being able to blend my love for photography and travel, and build a business that works around my family life. Flexibility is so important to me, especially with my kids’ busy schedules, and I think it resonates with a lot of the families and seniors I work with.

At the end of the day, I want potential clients and followers to know that working with me means you’ll get a personal, relaxed experience, whether we’re in the studio or traveling across the country for your dream session. I’m all about creating something that feels real and meaningful to you.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Definitely! One of the biggest pivots in my business came when I decided to shift from primarily local sessions to offering travel sessions all over the US. I’d always loved the idea of combining travel with photography, but for a long time, I wasn’t sure how to make it work while balancing my family’s busy schedule. I was already fully booked with local clients, and the thought of adding travel seemed overwhelming. But I realized that if I could figure out how to blend the two—business and family travel—I could create something really special. So I went for it.

That decision completely changed my business. Now, I’ve done senior and family sessions in places like NYC, Oregon, Glacier National Park, and Charleston, and it’s brought in clients who want those unique experiences. It also gave me the flexibility to travel with my family while still doing what I love. Looking back, I’m so glad I made that pivot because it allowed me to grow my business in a way that fits my life, and it’s opened up a whole new world of creative opportunities.

It’s been a game changer, not just for my photography, but for how I approach work and life—finding ways to make both work together rather than feeling like I have to choose between them.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

For me, the most effective strategy for growing my clientele has definitely been building genuine connections and word of mouth. I’ve found that when you truly connect with people, whether it’s during a session or just through social media interactions, they remember you, and they tell others about their experience. A lot of my clients come from referrals—friends telling friends or families who’ve worked with me before—and that personal recommendation is something you can’t beat.

I also think consistency is key. I’m always sharing new content, whether it’s sneak peeks from recent sessions, behind-the-scenes clips, or tips and tricks for photography. Staying active on Instagram and other platforms has really helped get my work in front of new eyes, especially as I’ve started offering more travel sessions. Plus, sharing my journey—whether it’s about traveling for shoots, my family life, or my love for photography—helps people feel like they know me, and that makes them more likely to reach out when they need photos.

Another big part of my strategy has been offering a memorable experience. I want my clients to feel relaxed, have fun, and walk away with photos they’ll cherish. When people have a great experience, they tell others, and that’s how my business has grown over the years.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kellierochelle.com
• Instagram: kellierochellephotography
• Facebook: kellierochellephotography

Image Credits

Arc Creative Company and Kimberly Mimeles Photography