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

Kendall, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What do you think it takes to be successful?

Ultimately at the end of the day it takes dedication. On the days when you don’t want to show up you have to continue to do so. It’s not easy to never give up, the ups and downs are so emotionally draining and there is many moments where you don’t feel good enough and your mental state really takes a roller coaster ride. But that’s part of the journey. It’s not easy and everyone’s journey is different and that’s what’s exciting and challenging all in one.
I think also cutting out the noise and just laser focusing on what’s important to you and keeping your vision and values in the forefront is so important. Everyone has an opinion and sometimes people don’t believe in you or don’t want to see you succeed and you have to do your best to remain in your own head keeping your dream positive and not let anyone shift you negativity.
Anything else is a hurdle that can be overcome if you never give up.

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.

Kendall McClelland is an award winning, multi published photographer. Specializing in content creation, fashion and corporate boss photos. California Smoke Photography is trying to stand out in a sea of online images and artwork.

Having started photography when I was 18 years old and always doing it has a hobby it’s been so refreshing to dive into it as a professional aspect over the last two years.

It’s serene and a beautiful escape to get behind the lens and create or bring someone’s vision to life. I feel as though the world sometimes melts away and it’s the one time I can shut off my brain.

I’m excited to chase my dreams this upcoming year and not let excuses stand in my way. The last 6 months have been hard as I’ve been in a slump of not feeling good enough. Only to realize that’s not the case and I just need to refocus my mindset and put some self love into me. Being a photographer I find I need moments of stillness and quietness to be able to become inspired to create.

I’m not that photographer that needs validation or likes or approval. I’m very confident in my work. Since teaching myself new editing and purchasing all new gear: lights camera and lens I have reset and I’m ready to take on the world !!!

Have you ever had to pivot?

Two years ago I niched in on fashion and lifestyle shoots. Before then I was so confused and was photographing anything and everything with no rhyme or reason. My editing style was trying to mimick every other photographer as I had no set style or brand and I was just another fish in the sea. It felt really good to dive into a niche that I’m good at and that sparks ideas and working with unreal women on the daily is so much fun. I love empowering women!!! Or playing with fashion and style is also a perk. I’ve always been a chameleon with my own style and fashion and therefor it’s easy and fun to bring it to work. Six months ago was the hardest. I really sat down and analyzed my work realizing I’m not where I want to be;
My quality of work was not where it should be and I felt like I was stuck. I really invested my time into learning all over again. I trained myself how to edit, I went and bought ALL new gear and re learned photography MY way. It was hard and I was tired of not feeling good enough and it was ultimately up to me to make the change and Invest in MYSELF.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Social media isn’t easy. You have millions of photos your competing with everyday. Every second of the day. I actually took marketing in college and over time learned that different people like different things and you can’t cater to everyone. By authentically being yourself you truly attract the same types of people you want to work with. I find having high quality images and a brand that is YOU helps. My big break was working with high profile people is what kicked off for my socials. When I met Kylie Jenner and attended a few red carpet events in LA. Then meeting Pinina Tornai was another of the first people who got me a lot of followers, as well as most recently Playboy. Alls it takes is one chance, and you can’t give up. Staying consistent with your brand and posts all kind of flowing together does help keep an audience. Im also a firm believer in: YOU DONT HAVE TO POST EVERYDAY, but make your posts impactful when you do POST!!!
The internet is MADDNESS and it’s definitely hard to navigate but you literally have a free platform to advertise and they give you the tools to see what’s working and what’s not, so don’t be afraid of trail and error until your seeing the results you WANT!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.californiasmokephotography.com
• Instagram: @Kendall.mcclelland

Image Credits

CALIFORNIA SMOKE PHOTOGRAPHY