We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kelsey Allen. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kelsey below.

Kelsey, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to start by getting your thoughts on what you are seeing as some the biggest trends emerging in your industry.

Lately, I’ve noticed a growing interest in documentary and cinematic style photography within the industry, and I couldn’t be more excited! As a photographer who markets myself in this niche, I love seeing how these styles are gaining so much attention. It feels like the perfect time to be doing what I’m doing. Documentary photography is all about capturing real, unfiltered moments – the happy tears, the big laughs, and those little in-between glances that make your day uniquely yours. It’s raw, unscripted, and tells your story exactly as it happens. Cinematic photography on the other hand, adds an extra layer of artistry – think dreamy lighting, creative angles, and a movie-like feel that gives your subject main character energy.
Some photographers believe these two styles can’t coexist, but I respectfully disagree. To me, cinematic photography is essentially the art of documenting life – it’s about telling a story through moments. When I give prompts to my clients, I focus on their natural chemistry and how they interact with each other. These genuine reactions are what I strive to capture, creating a narrative that feels authentic and real. The result? A wedding gallery that seamlessly blends cinematic beauty with authentic, documentary-style moments. Real, raw and authentic, while also looking like a film on the big screen!
I don’t think photographers should feel pressured to fit into one specific box when defining their niche. The key is to have fun, follow what you love, and let that passion shine through in your work – because that’s what will truly connect you with the right clients.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

As a photographer, everyone knows there is a monumental moment in your life where you pick up a camera and everything in the world makes sense. That moment for me was when I was 19 years old as a freshman at Wright State University in 2019. I went into college in 2018 as a bright eyed, eager (and scared) nursing student. I quickly realized that maybe a girl with anxiety should not be a nurse. This just was not the path for me.

I quickly changed my major to undecided and thought through what I wanted to do in my life as a career. It finally doned on me that I was always creative and artistic all my life, so I decided to go into the Fine Art program and start digging into illustration and graphic design. I had to take photography for my BFA, as you have to take all types of mediums to get your degree. As soon as I picked up my camera and started working on projects and hitting the dark room late at night, I knew I finally struck gold. No surprise, as I was always very artsy whenever I took photos on my iPhone and posted them to my Instagram story like I was an influencer. This was my calling. I had the eye for it. I dove all in.

I graduated in 2022 with a Bachelor Fine Arts degree in Photography and a certification of Graphic Arts. I moved to Florida in the beginning of 2023 with my long-time boyfriend and got a job at a Jacksonville based food technology company as a content marketing specialist. Here, I create all types of content to market our products on a B2B basis. Food photography, video editing, graphic design, etc! I also moved my newly created lifestyle photography business, Kelsey’s Collective, to Florida. I started dabbling in lifestyle photography while I was still finishing college in Ohio, but really picked it up when I moved to Florida.

I came up with the name ‘Kelsey’s Collective’ late in the year 2021 when I knew I wanted to start a lifestyle photography business. I wanted to offer logo design and photography so I researched words that could mean both. I didn’t just want to be “Kelsey Allen Photography” although there is nothing bad about businesses that are named in this convention! I just wanted to showcase I did more. I stuck with the name because it was unique and I loved it. I didn’t want to limit myself to one niche as I want to flex my creativity in multiple ways. When I moved to Florida, I decided to offer free sessions to get my name out there. I found my style, did some sessions and started marketing myself. In time, I ended up getting inquiries for paid sessions. It kept growing and growing. I started offering wedding photography in 2023 and have found a love in capturing weddings along with lifestyle sessions. I love the art of documenting cinematic moments and making my couple the main character of their own little movie, but also getting those quintessential “smile at the camera” moments as well. It is all relative. I love capturing moments and I fall more deeply in love with photography after every session, event and wedding.

Outside of work, I love to travel and see new places. I am also an avid theme-park goer. I have annual passes for both Disney World and Universal, and my boyfriend and I try to go a couple times a month! I am big on family and friendship and never miss an opportunity to hop on a plane to Ohio to see them, or pick them up at the airport and host them here. I love to read, draw, and rot on the couch from time to time. I love this life.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

In 2024, I took a big step and began participating in paid content retreats, which really helped elevate my photography career. For those unfamiliar, content retreats are events where like-minded photographers gather, often hosted by one or more seasoned photographers. These retreats are designed around stylized, conceptual sessions that allow you to create art for your portfolio, helping you attract your ideal clientele. My first retreat was a game-changer—it opened my eyes to a whole new side of the photography world. Not only did it deepen my understanding of what it means to be a wedding and lifestyle photographer, but it also introduced me to the importance of networking and learning the business side of things. You can have all the talent in the world, but understanding the business model is what really makes a difference.

Attending these retreats allowed me to expand my network beyond Ohio and Florida, meeting photographers from all over. I was able to create content from dream sessions and locations, which helped me further market myself and reach a broader audience. Over the course of the year, I attended two destination content retreats and two local content days. After gaining so much from these experiences, I decided to take the plunge and host my own retreat. In January 2025, I collaborated with a local photographer to host a content retreat in St. Augustine. It was incredibly rewarding to educate and mentor a group of talented photographers and give back in the same way that my first retreat had given me a clearer perspective on my path.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

You can’t build an empire in a day, and you can’t build a successful photography business in a day either! It takes a lot of hard work, dedication, and time to create and maintain a thriving career in the photography world. With so many talented photographers out there, it’s crucial to market yourself effectively so your ideal clients can find you.

Sometimes, you might need to take a step back and offer free sessions to build your portfolio. Networking with local photographers is also key—they’re not your competition, they’re your community! Consider second shooting a wedding or collaborating on projects to gain valuable experience. Above all, make sure you’re actively posting your work. No one will know what you can offer unless you show them. So, put yourself out there and market your skills!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kelseyscollective.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/kelseyscollective

Image Credits

Kelsey Allen, Kelsey’s Collective