We were lucky to catch up with Kendall McClelland recently and have shared our conversation below.
Kendall, so great to have you with us and thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with the community. So, let’s jump into something that stops so many people from going after their dreams – haters, nay-sayers, etc. We’d love to hear about how you dealt with that and persisted on your path.
This is a great question, as last year someone whom I thought was my friend and did business with turned out to be bad mouthing not only me, but everyone around her. Cutting ties came with a lot of terrible realizations about her and it broke my heart. I thought she was a good person &
It was very hard to go through a situation where I thought someone genuinely was my friend and I had their back. I would have done anything to help them and little did I know they would have pushed me in front of a bus to make them selves look good. The best advice I can give is to, dive into yourself. There will be tons of cruel people and ultimately people usually aren’t mean to those who are doing nothing with their lives.
They tear down others who are doing their best to show up as the best version of themselves. I really feel like as you level up and as you find your “why” as you find your purpose to your career path that you must shed some people who are toxic. You have to put your blinders on and your ear phones in and ignore it all.
Focus on the positive people who show up for you and the ones who celebrate your wins but also stand by you during your lowest lows. The more you give gratitude to those people and allow them to be in your corner the less the rest matters because you feel so blessed and full to be surrounded by authentic, kind, caring and supportive friends and family!!
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
A powerhouse in the world of photography and storytelling, Kendall McClelland is an award winning international photographer whose work embodies the perfect balance of grit, glamour, and authenticity. Known for her cinematic compositions and emotionally charged portraits, Kendall transforms ordinary moments into iconic imagery that lingers long after the flash fades.
As the creative force behind California Smoke, Kendall has built a lifestyle brand that bridges the worlds of art, fashion, and raw Western soul. Her lens captures more than beauty it captures energy, attitude, and the unfiltered essence of her subjects.
Stay tuned as she is currently working on two big projects for 2026!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Determination:
I don’t let things discourage me from my journey. I continued to learn and grow and I use hard times to work harder to be where I want to be. I get kicked down and there’s lots of times I cry, people are mean to me (online) but instead I harness the energy within myself to reframe my narrative. I’m blessed to have the clients I do and I am
Grateful to be able to capture them and show them how beautiful they are to the rest of the world!
Stepping away from the noise: so really diving into my own space. Not listening when people say: oh do newborn photography, do dog photography, ect. That’s not my niche. I know my happy place and I know where I shine with my work and I never let any outside perspective sway me away from what I knew in my heart was my work and my niche.
Being myself: so many people say: you shouldn’t post that, I’m not posting things for anyone other than myself & if it makes me happy I lean into that. I lost myself for a few years and emotionally got kicked down and it’s actually hard to look back on that version of myself and as I climb back into me, I realize I don’t have to be small for anyone. No one should. If someone is trying to dim your light…… you’re in the wrong place with the wrong people.
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
Being a Mom while still chasing dreams. Everyday it beats me up and I suffer from Mom guilt. I understand it’s their childhood and they only get one and I love my babies more than anything and I sacrificed so many opportunities and myself and let myself go and money. But the. I realized hold on, it’s my life too and I only get one chance at this. I have to learn balance and I have to try hard to do it all. Because otherwise I will regret it. And some people say “ah do it when they’re older” ok…. But then “I’m older too” it’s the most challenging thing I’ve ever encountered. It’s so hard, and I want to be the best mom possible and give my babies the best life and my home be impeccable and fun and all the things. But I also can’t neglect my dreams and goals and inner ambitions. So it’s tough, really really tough.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.californiasmokephotography.com
- Instagram: Californiasmokephotography
- Linkedin: Kendallmcclelland
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