We were lucky to catch up with Kayleen Shearer recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Kayleen, thanks for joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

If you would’ve told me even just a few years ago that I would currently be a full-time photographer I would’ve certainly laughed at you. I was all in on working in large corporate settings and saw my future in sales and tech. Stability and high earnings were the marks of success in my eyes, and I certainly sacrificed other liberties to achieve just that.

It wasn’t until my life took a dramatic turn that I found myself in a very different set of circumstances. As I grow older, I’ve become increasingly thankful for the valleys of life. Not only do they teach us something, but they force us to unravel the superfluous fluff of everyday life, stare our core values blank in the face, and lead us to an honest evaluation of ourselves and our trajectory.

I realized during that season, that my core value is freedom. Freedom to have creative liberties, to work how I wanted to, and most importantly, to have the freedom to do what I love.

I still remember the day when my friend told me how lucrative photography can be. I find it ironic, that for the longest time I had no idea anyone even did photography full-time.

And I said, “Well…if I’m going to do this [photography], I might as well just go for it.” And I never looked back.

In talking with others, it seems the hardest part for people is taking the risk of going full-time – going all in.
As they say, ‘Greater risk, greater reward.’ Sacrificing stability and comfort for a season of life, in my opinion, is certainly worth the reward it reaps.

But with that being said, I believe there are two key elements to taking calculated risks:

Evaluate your values, and be honest with yourself. The key to success is not about sticking with a good job or leaving the corporate setting to start a business. Rather, it’s about living your life in alignment with your core values. That’s the biggest risk you can take. For some people, their core value is stability, then, by all means, I don’t suggest the entrepreneur life. My one caveat is if you find yourself dreaming about starting and owning a business then, just go for it. There will never be a perfect time, so you might as well try now.

Taking risks requires you to let go of your ‘should’ mentality. i.e. I “should be here by now. My life “should” look like this at this age. If there’s one thing I know with certainty, is that starting a business is anything but perfection. Don’t expect your life to look like those who took a different path from you because it won’t.
But man, taking the risk is so worth it.

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.

I am a wedding, elopement, and commercial photographer. I am based in Dallas, Texas, and Orange County, California. I’ve always had a love for the creative and a love for business. So it just made sense to start a creative business.

The thing I love about artistic endeavors is that you learn the rules regarding the technique of the craft. And then when you get really good, you learn how to strategically break those very rules – and that’s what generates that ‘wow’ factor.

Working with me is like a little bit of both elements. We capture some classic portraits and traditional photos that the parents will love to hang on their walls…and then we get creative, break the rules, and create beautiful portraits together. I believe photos, done right, are the display of the stories written on our souls. My aim is to get to know you and hear about your love story so that we create photos that profoundly capture your essence.

I got into this industry because I love making people feel beautiful. I love drawing out the beauty in themselves they didn’t even know was there. And of course, I love taking part in people’s most precious times of life!

What sets me apart is that my aim is to give you not just beautiful photos, but a great client experience from inquiry to final delivery – for you, your family, and everyone involved.

I keep my editing true to color because I want, in 30 years, not for you to say, “What a wild trend we had in 2022” but instead to look at photos that are timeless.
Many describe my photography style as timeless, romantic, and warm.

The pressure of a wedding can be overwhelming – my aim is to provide you with a hands-on experience where I take much of that pressure off your shoulders, so you can soak in the moment.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I would say my creative journey reaches past even just this current business. I have a passion for creative entrepreneurs and I long to see them flourish. In fact, I have a second business in the works revolving around equipping and training creative entrepreneurs.

I’ve met so many people with great ideas and incredible talent but they simply are afraid or don’t know how to start a business. My aim is to equip people in the areas of business which they may have less experience with.

However, the creative process transcends just business but is spiritual in its essence – involving the whole being.

My life verse is Isaiah 61: “to bind up the broken hearted and proclaim freedom for the captives.” There’s something about being bound in fear and lies that inhibits creativity. I long to see people not only flourish in their business but to be set free from the mental dialogue that oppresses them and watch their creativity be unleashed in the world.

Within the creative process, there’s something about tapping into the dark places of our hearts and bringing them into the light that creates transcendent beauty – benefiting anyone who lays eyes on the creative work.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

I’m a big reader and I find that to be a common trait among many entrepreneurial types – I don’t think that’s a coincidence. So while there are plenty of books, podcasts, etc. that have shaped my thinking, the book that served as the catalyst to shape my current philosophy is, Fanatical Prospecting by Jeb Blount. It might not be the first book a creative entrepreneur thinks to pick up, especially my very artsy types, but I would argue it’s a staple in starting any business endeavor.

The book will open your mind to a constant state of awareness that the work you put in now, will be your results (or lack thereof) in the next 90-180 days. One of the best things an entrepreneur can do is take their year-end goal and break it down to monthly, weekly, and even daily metrics and quotas – that’s how people find success.

The Culture Code and The Power of the Other by Henry Cloud have also had some of the most profound impacts on my thinking.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kayleenshearerphotography.com
• Instagram: @photographybykayleen
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Photographybykayleen
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayleenshearer4/

Image Credits
Profile Images: Miranda Flores @origins_creative Origins Creative Photo Company LLC All other photos: Kayleen Shearer @Photographybykayleen www.kayleenshearerphotography.com