Meet Kaia Lola

We recently connected with Kaia Lola and have shared our conversation below.

Kaia, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

This is a particularly interesting question for me at this juncture in life.

Over the past decade, I’ve been photographing dedicated athletes and entrepreneurs here in Atlanta, as well as nationally. Drawing from my experience in martial arts and competition, I’ve worked to portray my clients as the best in their field during their fitness and branding photoshoots. I understand this market because I am this market.

But life has a funny way of both humbling and teaching you. After triumphing over unexpected back surgery in 2022, I suddenly faced the need for a second one in 2024. Since then, I’ve dealt with complications, including sciatica, which has taken away my ability to train, compete, and even walk. This is particularly heavy for me as an athlete who was in the gym six days a week, three hours a day.

There have been many times when I’ve felt anything but resilient. Yet, each day I push forward, researching my own anatomy, stretching a bit longer, and striving to take a few extra steps. It is, hands down, the most challenging thing I’ve endured, but I understand the process.

As an athlete and a fitness photographer, I recognize the patterns of progress—the often up-and-down patterns, much like the stock market. Sometimes the path to “the next level” isn’t linear, but consistency is what ultimately carries you through. So, for now, I take it day by day, leaning into my experience of grinding through innumerable workouts and training sessions, knowing that the “aha” moment will present itself eventually

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I am a reflection of my clients—an athlete, an entrepreneur, and a small business owner carving out my place in the fitness industry. My clients include personal trainers, health coaches, bodybuilders, actors, stunt performers, nutritionists, and similar professionals in and around Atlanta. Often, these individuals seek powerful photography of themselves in the gym, working out, in the kitchen, or on the field, but they also want to showcase who they are as trustworthy coaches, trainers, and guides. They need to present themselves not only as fitness experts but also as the right business to invest in. This mirrors my role as a fitness photographer, where I aim to capture all those layers of their identity.

Having spent so many years on the business side of fitness and art—promoting myself as an MMA and Muay Thai fighter, becoming the go-to photographer for martial arts events, and more—I bring a unique perspective that greatly benefits my clients.

I always tell them: there are a million personal trainers in Atlanta, just as there are a million photographers in Atlanta. What makes your ideal client notice your platform, trust your expertise, and connect with you on a personal level? People invest in those they know, like, and trust. So, let’s showcase you in the fitness realm while also highlighting the many other facets of who you are.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Understanding Your Market:
There was a time when I thought I needed to photograph everything in the fitness industry—from cheerleading competitions to youth team sports. Over time, I refined my understanding of my ideal client, and now I can speak directly to them through my social media, website, and imagery. Investing the time to define your market helps you focus on the people who truly resonate with your message, lowering the resistance to enrolling in your services.

Lean Into Your Natural Talents:
Coming from a fine arts photography background, I once doubted whether there was a viable market for my style. Over time, I realized that my natural inclinations—the dramatic approach I bring to headshots, branding, and fitness photoshoots—are exactly why fitness experts hire me. Identifying and embracing your natural interests and stylistic distinctions can become a significant asset to your business, helping you connect with like-minded clients.

Dig for Knowledge Constantly. Be Open to Learning in Unusual Spaces:
As a college graduate with a degree in Art with a Concentration on Photography, I’ve still learned to question everything. Just as there are 10,000 ways to retouch skin in Photoshop, there are 10,000 approaches to lighting, on-set directing, and more. Seeking out different teachers—even those with contradictory methodologies—can expand your understanding of your craft.

Moreover, drawing inspiration and knowledge from unrelated fields can elevate your work and allow you to bring something truly unique to the table. For example, you might be a life coach with certifications in the U.S., but what could you learn from the teachings of mindfulness and Ashtanga yoga in India? How might your clients benefit if you explored somatic experiences or the impact of genetics on behavior found in psychiatric studies? The point is, there are surprising overlaps and insights you can bring to the fitness and health profession—if you remain open to them.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

I’d love to connect with Atlanta-based fitness, health, and wellness companies that have established workflows for their clientele. Often, my clients ask for referrals—whether it’s for spray tan salons, activewear shops, or other related services. There’s so much opportunity for us to create an ecosystem of mutual support. If you’re a business interested in collaborating and growing together, I’d love to hear from you!

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