We recently connected with Kai Lanier and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Kai thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?

I’m genuinely happy being a business owner in both social media and photography—these are two passions that have opened doors I never imagined. But I’d be lying if I said it was always easy, especially when it comes to social media. There are definitely moments where I wish I could just quit and delete everything. What people need to understand is that with social media, hate is almost a badge of impact. If no one’s hating, you probably haven’t made enough noise. Ironically, the more hate you get, the more it confirms you’re reaching people. On the photography side, though, it’s nothing but love. If I could do a photo shoot every single day, I would—there’s just something incredibly fulfilling about capturing memories that mean the world to someone else. It’s an honor I don’t take lightly.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

my name is Kai Lanier. I’m a content creator and photographer, and I’ve built my brand from the ground up—starting with zero followers back in 2021. When I first began on social media, it was purely out of curiosity and a desire to be seen. I was posting fun DIY hacks with no grand plan, just the hope that people would know my name. Over time, that hobby evolved into a full-time career. I was working in fast food at the time, but I took a leap of faith and transitioned fully into social media. The moment it all clicked for me was actually on a beach in Mexico—I was lying on a lounge chair, soaking in the sun, and it hit me: I didn’t need a 9-to-5 anymore. I came home, committed fully, and haven’t looked back since.

Today, I have a combined following of nearly 700,000 across all platforms, and I’ve expanded my business into photography—something I’m incredibly passionate about. I specialize in capturing warm, true-to-color, and emotionally rich images for portraits, families, couples, and events. What sets me apart is that I don’t just provide a service—I aim to create a safe, relaxed space for people to feel seen and celebrated. Whether it’s through a viral piece of content or a meaningful photo shoot, I strive to make people feel something.

What I’m most proud of is building this life from scratch and staying true to myself through the ups and downs. Social media has its challenges, and photography takes time to master, but I’ve embraced both with grit and heart. To anyone starting out: don’t give up if it doesn’t work the first time. Keep going, stay curious, be willing to learn and adjust. Success doesn’t happen overnight—but it does happen when you don’t quit.

Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?

When it came to funding my business, particularly transitioning into social media full-time, I knew I had to be strategic. A lot of people want to dive headfirst into their passions, but I always encourage approaching it with caution and a plan. Before I ever left my part-time job, I was already earning small amounts from social media here and there. It wasn’t a lot at first, but I made a point to consistently save those earnings. Over time, it added up and gave me just enough financial cushion to step away from my 9-to-5 and focus on building my brand. That runway allowed me to test, refine, and grow without the immediate pressure of needing instant success.

As for funding my photography business, that came directly from the growth and success I experienced through social media. Once I began to build an audience and gain momentum online, I reinvested a portion of that income into photography—buying gear, software, and covering startup costs. Social media didn’t just give me visibility; it gave me the means to explore another passion and expand my business in a way that felt organic and sustainable. Taking risks is important, but taking smart, intentional ones is what creates longevity.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

When it comes to how I built my audience on social media, I’ll be honest—I do think timing played a big role. I started posting on TikTok during the height of COVID-19, when most people were stuck at home and looking for content to keep them entertained. I took that opportunity and ran with it. I went from zero followers to 100K in just a week, and within a month, I had grown to over 400K. It felt surreal, but looking back, it wasn’t just luck—it was also about consistently showing up and paying attention to what worked.

For anyone starting to build a social media presence now, my biggest piece of advice is: consistency and intentional learning. Just because one video doesn’t hit doesn’t mean the next one won’t. Every time you post, take it as a chance to study and improve. Ask yourself: did the hook work? Could I have structured this better? What could make this more engaging? As long as you’re evolving with each piece of content—even just a little—you’re moving in the right direction. Whether you’re building for business or just for fun, growth always comes when you stay consistent and keep learning.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kailanierphotos.mypixieset.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realkailanier?igsh=MTB3a3loaHZsczZmZQ==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1AtLsgG1RT/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kailanier?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@kailanier?si=TgP3DzO_eYtW_Rw8

Image Credits

Sophie c photos
E4extra
Kailanierphotos