We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kelly Nicholl Lara a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Kelly, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about how you got your first non-friend, non-family client. Paint the picture for us so we can feel the same excitement you felt on that day.

I received my first photography sale in May of 2004. The Barnes & Noble, in Poughkeepsie, NY had a monthly showing for local artists. If you were selected, they would showcase your art in their coffee / bakery area for one month and hosted an ‘artist reception’ welcoming friends, family and community members. It was an exciting time and a complete honor to have my photography displayed and supported by such an amazing store. The reception viewing also allowed you to sell your photos and exchange contact information – I sold a total of 15 framed prints which was the start of my professional photography career.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I started photographing the scenery in upstate NY in 1995 – it was a hobby to keep busy during the winter months. I was introduced to a professional photographer in 2002 who suggested I should sell my images. I spent the next 2 years developing a collection of images and in 2004 they were displayed at Barnes & Noble for one month – this is where I sold my first 15 prints. Shortly after that, my photos were displayed and sold in Doctor’s offices and florist shops.

In 2012, I moved back to San Diego and focused on beach photography, wavescapes and shoreline beach stones. I was featured in a Mission Bay coffee shop and restaurant where I continued to sell my images and market my brand. In 2015, I joined the Carlsbad Oceanside Art Gallery and became a member of Art on the Green. As a gallery member, I could display and sell my work at the gallery as well as weekend artshows, on the grass, just one block from the beach. Our artshow was located in the heart of Carlsbad Village just steps for the infamous Carlsbad sign at the Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort. This location catered to out of town vacationers and local San Diegians who were looking for local art, photography and paintings. From 2015 to 2019 I met many of my clients and made a lot of friends & art enthusiasts. Covid cancelled our gallery artshows so in late 2020 I started my own Art & Gift Fests in Lake San Marcos – to date, we’ve had four events and are planning our fifth in May 2022.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

My clients mean the world to me and often turn into wonderful friendships. When a client contacts me for wall art – it’s a fun experience as I love to share the ‘back story’ about the photo. This often creates a deep connection and makes the image much more special. I also make sure the photo they chose is the right size and will blend in nicely with their current home decor. I offer my images on print, canvas and metal so the medium has to work cohesively for their wall space.

I stay in touch with my clients on a regular basis via email, phone calls and a monthly newsletter called “Kelly’s Kaleidoscope”.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

My reputation is build on colorful coastal images and outstanding customer service from the minute they call / text / or email. Aside from receiving a great product, I want each client to walk away thinking, ” she was such a pleasure to work with and I love her enthusiasm! “. I have a lot of repeat business and local referrals so I take a lot of time with my clients to ensure they are beyond delighted when working together.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ImageMakerPhotos.com

Image Credits
Kelly Nicholl Lara