We recently connected with Kayla Dionne and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Kayla thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. The first dollar you earn in a new endeavor is always special. We’d love to hear about how you got your first client that wasn’t a friend or family.

I attended GVSU and received my bachelor’s degree in photography, pursuing a love for landscape work. While in college, I was asked by a family member to photograph her wedding. Having no knowledge of the wedding industry, I hesitantly yet excitedly said yes. I was hooked on photographing weddings after that. I then started my internship as a second shooter for a local photographer and photographed 30+ weddings the following summer allowing me to build my portfolio. Fast forward a few years, I moved to northern Michigan with my husband and started my photography career full time.

Kayla, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My full name is Kayla Marie Dionne. Growing up, a lot of my friends called me Kay and it stuck with me and still does today. When I started my business, I knew I wanted to incorporate my name and make it personal to me. The name Kay Marie Photography flowed well to me, offering a business names that’s personal and has grown with me.My full name is Kayla Marie Dionne. Growing up, a lot of my friends called me Kay and it stuck with me and still does today. When I started my business, I knew I wanted to incorporate my name and make it personal to me. The name Kay Marie Photography flowed well to me, offering a business names that’s personal and has grown with me.

As a child, I was never a fan of having my picture taken. I was a very stubborn child/early teenager and would cringe whenever my mom pulled out the camera. I started high school and began taking some photography classes and very much enjoyed them. I started taking so many pictures of me and my friends and always edited them with the goofiest filters that I’d be so embarrased of today, haha! As I got older I started to travel more and found a love for landscape photography. In college it became a dream of mine to become a photographer for National Geographic. During this time, I was asked by a family member, whom was getting married, if I would be interested in photographing their wedding. For $100 I did it and had no idea what I was doing. But I fell in love with documenting moments on a couples new favorite day, celebrating with all their favorite people. Fast forward to now – I absolutely love my job that’s taken me around the world to meet the most amazing couples and photograph their love in the prettiest of places.

I absolutely love meeting new people and hearing their stories on how they met, where they’ve been, going to their family cottage, etc. I also love traveling and photographing landscapes and it’s such a joy when im able to blend the passions of pretty landscapes and people together.

I try really hard to connect with my clients so I am not just a photographer showing up to their wedding/session. I don’t really like using the term client, especially for my couples and families because to me after all the planning and prepping going into a wedding day or family session, they are more of a friend because of all the time invested. I also try very hard to avoid trends and maintain a timeless style of editing so galleries are never “outdated”

I think I can relate to a lot of different people and meet them where they are at in life, which has allowed me to develop a variety of meaningful relationships. I am someone who wears her heart on her sleeve and loves being vulnerable and wants everyone to feel like I am a safe space to feel the same.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Post post post! We live in a world with so many resources, like social media, at our finger tips that we need to take advantage of. Post your ideas and things in your business that you’re proud of. Connect with others in your industry in your area. Buy them coffee. Build relationships online. Offer giveaways to gain more followers and get your name out there. Host styled shoots so you’re able to post content you love and can attract your dream clientele.

What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?

I worked at a full time job right out of college. At that time I was working 40 hours a week along with a wedding or session on the weekend. It quickly became too much to give my energy to both so I went part time with my Monday-Friday job so I could focus more on my photography business. From there, my business grew and I became comfortable to take that leap of faith and dive into my photography career full time! Best (and scariest) decision I’ve ever made.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kaymariephotos.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/kaymariephotos_
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100070849297707