We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kayla De Guzman. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kayla below.

Hi Kayla, thanks for joining us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

Ultimately, the mission of being a creative photographer is about using the power of imagery to tell stories, evoke emotions, and explore the beauty and complexity of the world around us.. whether it may be through capturing landscapes, portraits, or abstract compositions.. Not only am I driven by a passion for capturing images that are not only technically proficient, but also visually interesting and emotionally compelling, but I want to be able to share that motion with other people who want to get into it. Photography is art and people often feel like you need to be an actual “photographer” to create this “art” or have a fancy camera to create a better image rather than using your phone or a cheaper camera.. I really feel like people can just photograph whatever makes them happy cause we think differently, and our perspectives on things are different. My goal as a photographer is to inspire others to create what they feel for themselves because I create art for me. You do not need validation from others.

Kayla, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I got into photography since 2011, as a hobby, nothing too serious. I’ve always enjoyed taking photos, but one day I did a creative shoot with some friends and I posted them on facebook and on my personal instagram and then people started contacting me about shooting their maternity, weddings, etc. At first I was hesitant, cause I did not have that type of photography experience, nor did I know how to edit (I did all the editing through my phone). I started to post more of my art, and other photographers started to follow me via instagram, and I started hanging out with them and they helped me learn more about my camera and the editing softwares. I therefore became very intrigued and started to get more into it knowing that it was just more than a photo. It was being able to create your own style. I started getting more gigs by word of mouth and people on instagram, which gave me more experience with working with different people/clients, styles, and other services. Now I am well versed into shooting weddings, events, concerts, portraits, in-studio shoots, pretty much anything creative or fun for me, I can do it. I also learned how to be more open to meeting more people, both in a professional or networking standard. I am super proud of how far I’ve came, super grateful for all the people i’ve met throughout my journey, super satisfied with how much i’ve invested into being a freelance photographer. It took a lot of hard work to get to where I am now but I am still pushing for more because I still want the best for me and I really love what I do. I love being able to create my own concept, if the client is able to let me.. I also enjoy completing projects where the client is 100% satisfied with my work. I’m always pushing for growth.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

Non-creatives will struggle to understand the actual work that was put, behind the scenes — along with the emotions and financial struggle. Non-creatives may not fully understand the creative process or the value of creative work. They may see it as frivolous or impractical, and not recognize the skill, effort, and dedication required to produce high-quality creative work. They also may be a lil hesitant to pursue creative endeavors themselves, either because they fear failure or because they believe that creativity is a talent that they simply do not possess. As a result, they may struggle to relate to or understand someone else’s creative journey.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative artist is the opportunity to express myself. I love being able to tap into my imagination and creativity, to be able to explore new ideas and perspectives, and to experiment with different techniques and styles. The second most rewarding aspect is being able to meet other creative individuals who share similar goals as me. I love being inspired by other peoples’ journeys.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kdgphotos.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yoookayla/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/AhKaylaProduction