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

Kayla, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you come up with the idea for your business?

My journey into starting my photography business really began long before I ever thought of it as a “business.” When I was in high school, I started serving at my church by taking photos at different events and gatherings. At the time it was simply a way for me to use something I loved to serve others. I loved capturing moments that people might not have noticed otherwise and giving them something they could look back on. Photography became a creative outlet for me and also a way to contribute to my community.
After graduating high school, I didn’t take the traditional route of going to college. Instead, I continued using photography in the same way I always had, mostly to serve and to capture meaningful moments for people around me. It was something that constantly stayed in my life, but I didn’t necessarily see it as a career yet. It was just something that felt natural to me and something I truly enjoyed doing.

At one point, I was offered the opportunity to second shoot a wedding for another photographer. That experience was a turning point for me. It was exciting to be in that environment and see what wedding photography looked like behind the scenes. But during that time I also realized something important. The photographer I was working with didn’t really see or understand my vision when it came to photography. The way I saw moments, the way I wanted to capture them, and the way I imagined editing them didn’t fully align with how they approached their work.

That experience pushed me into a moment of decision. I could either continue trying to fit into someone else’s creative direction, or I could step out of my comfort zone and start building something that reflected my own vision. That was the moment I decided to start my own photography journey.

From the very beginning, one of my biggest goals was to create work that looked and felt different from what was already around me. I wanted my photos to have a distinct style, both in the way I captured the moment and in the way I edited the final image. My goal was always that someone could see a photo and immediately recognize that it was mine without even asking. I wanted my work to feel intentional, emotional, and recognizable.

What made it feel like a worthwhile endeavor was seeing how much people valued having their memories documented in a genuine way. Photography is more than just taking a picture. It is preserving moments that people will never get back. Knowing that I could give people something meaningful to hold onto made the work feel important.

In many ways, I wasn’t necessarily solving a problem that no one else had thought of, but I was approaching photography with my own perspective and creativity. What excited me the most was the opportunity to build something that reflected who I am and how I see the world. Over time, that passion turned into a business where I get to connect with people, tell their stories through images, and continue growing creatively while doing something I genuinely love.

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?

I’m a moody, editorial style photographer born and raised in Savannah. My work focuses on capturing people in a way that feels honest, emotional, and timeless. I’ve always been drawn to photography because of its ability to freeze a moment and allow people to see themselves and their lives from a different perspective.
What I provide through my work is more than just photos. I offer portrait sessions, branding photography, and creative shoots that help individuals and businesses visually tell their story. For business owners especially, strong imagery can elevate how they present themselves and what they offer. For individuals and couples, it’s about documenting meaningful moments and creating images they will value for years to come.
One of the biggest things I try to do for my clients is help them feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera. A lot of people come into a session thinking they have to pose a certain way or force a smile, but the truth is that the most beautiful images usually happen in the in between moments. I focus on creating an environment where people can relax and simply be themselves. When that happens, the photos naturally reflect who they truly are.
Something that sets my work apart is the style and emotion behind it. My photography leans into a darker, moodier, editorial look that feels both artistic and intentional. From the way I frame a moment to the way I edit the final image, everything is done with the goal of creating work that feels distinct and recognizable.
What I’m most proud of is being able to create images that help people see their own beauty. So many people are harder on themselves than they should be, and sometimes it takes seeing a photograph to realize how beautiful and unique they truly are. My goal is always that when someone receives their gallery, they feel confident, seen, and proud of who they are.
The heart behind my brand is simple. I want people to feel like themselves in front of my camera. Not forced into a pose or a smile, but captured naturally in the moment. Those are the images that end up meaning the most.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I honestly think a big part of building my reputation has been my personality and the way I connect with people. I try to stay really humble about that, but I’ve always been someone who is very relatable. I’m a little quirky, a little weird, and very real, and I’ve never tried to hide that. I think staying true to who I am has helped people feel comfortable around me, especially in an environment that can sometimes feel intimidating like being in front of a camera.
A lot of my clients come into a session nervous at first, which is completely normal. Being photographed can feel vulnerable. One thing I’ve always been naturally good at is talking with people and helping them relax. Sometimes that means I end up talking their heads off or rambling a little, but it usually turns into laughter and a more relaxed environment. Once people feel comfortable, the photos start to feel more natural and genuine.
I’ve been really blessed with the ability to connect with people in a way that helps them feel seen and at ease. When someone feels like they can just be themselves around you, it changes the whole experience. I think that comfort translates into the images and also into the relationships I build with clients.
Over time, those experiences turn into word of mouth, repeat clients, and people recommending me to their friends or family. While I care deeply about the quality and style of my work, I also believe the experience people have during a session matters just as much. I want people to walk away feeling like they not only got photos they love but also had a genuinely good experience being themselves in front of the camera.

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

Building my audience on social media didn’t happen overnight. In the beginning, I focused a lot on doing giveaways. That helped introduce my work to people who may not have come across my page otherwise and gave new followers a reason to engage and share my work with others. It was a simple way to get my name out there and start building a small community around what I was doing.
As my page grew, one thing I became really intentional about was only posting work that actually reflected me and my style. I didn’t want to post things just for the sake of posting or try to force my content into trends that didn’t feel natural for me. My goal has always been for people to look at my page and clearly see my work, my style, and what they could expect if they booked with me.
There have definitely been moments where I almost got pulled into posting things just because they were popular. For example, I almost fell victim to doing the Ray Ban Meta glasses style posts that were trending for a while. While content like that can work well for some people, I realized it just wasn’t really my speed. I try to keep my social media pretty plain and simple and let the work speak for itself.
I think one of the biggest pieces of advice I would give someone starting out is to focus on showing your work and staying true to your style instead of constantly comparing yourself to what everyone else is doing. Trends come and go, but your voice and your perspective are what will make people remember you. When people can consistently recognize your work and feel like they know the person behind it, that’s what really helps build a loyal audience over time.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kaylagriffinphoto.com
• Instagram: kaylagriffin.photo

Image Credits

Kayla Griffin