We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Abbigal O’Neill a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Abbigal, 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?
My resilience comes from the people and moments that remind me why I started. From my little boy who teaches me to see the world through wonder, to the memory of my stepdad who taught me that love lives on in the smallest details. Every time I pick up my camera, I’m reminded that even in the hardest seasons — beauty, light, and purpose still find their way in.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Hi there! I’m Abbigal, the heart behind Abbigal Kay’s Photography, where storytelling meets sentiment. I specialize in capturing life’s most meaningful moments — from golden farm sunsets to joyful family laughter and the quiet in-betweens that often mean the most.
What makes my work special is that every session is personal. I don’t just take photos; I preserve emotion — the kind that can be felt years later when you look back. My inspiration comes from my family, especially my little boy who reminds me daily how fleeting time really is, and from the memory of my stepdad, whose spirit is woven into everything I create. You’ll often find a butterfly tucked into my brand as a small reminder of him and the beauty of keeping memories alive.
What excites me most about this work is connection — meeting families, watching their stories unfold over the years, and creating timeless keepsakes they’ll cherish forever. Photography has given me a way to blend my creative eye with my heart for people, and that’s something I’ll never take for granted.
As for what’s new — I’m always expanding ways to celebrate the seasons of life! From seasonal minis at Sharp Farm to creative collaborations and new membership opportunities for returning clients, there’s always something fresh in the works, so stay tuned!
At the end of the day, my brand is built on heart — preserving the beauty of today so it can be remembered for a lifetime.
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?
Looking back, the three qualities that have been the most impactful in my journey are resilience, connection, and vision.
Resilience has been everything — both in life and in business. There have been seasons where things didn’t go as planned: unpredictable weather, long nights editing, or personal challenges that tested my focus. But learning to bend instead of break taught me that consistency and heart always win in the long run. My advice to anyone starting out: Don’t quit on the hard days — those are the ones shaping your strength.
Connection is what fuels my work. Photography isn’t just about taking a pretty picture; it’s about making people feel seen, valued, and comfortable enough to be themselves. Building genuine relationships with clients has turned sessions into friendships and photos into lifelong memories. If you’re early in your journey, focus on people over perfection — everything else will follow.
And lastly, vision — having a clear sense of why you do what you do. My “why” comes from my family, especially my son and the memory of my stepdad. They remind me that time is precious and that storytelling through photography is my way of keeping love and legacy alive. My advice here is to stay rooted in what matters most to you — trends will come and go, but authenticity never fades.
At the end of the day, it’s a blend of heart, hustle, and purpose that keeps the camera clicking and the dream growing.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
The people who have helped me most along this journey are the ones who’ve shaped both my heart and my purpose — my family.
My stepdad continues to inspire me every single day, even from heaven. His strength, work ethic, and ability to find beauty in the simple moments taught me how to see the world differently — and that perspective shows through my lens. Every butterfly that appears during a session feels like a quiet reminder that he’s still with me, cheering me on in his own way.
My little boy, Finn, is my biggest “why.” He’s the reason I chase light, the reason I slow down, and the reminder that the smallest moments often become the ones we treasure most. Watching him grow has deepened the way I capture family connection — because I know how precious these fleeting chapters truly are.
And honestly, my clients have also played a huge part in shaping who I am as a photographer. They’ve trusted me with their milestones, shown up through storms (literally and figuratively), and reminded me that storytelling is a gift. Each family I meet teaches me something new about love, patience, and purpose.
So when I think about who’s helped me the most — it’s the people who’ve given me roots, the little one who gives me wings, and the clients who’ve allowed me to turn my passion into purpose.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://book.usesession.com/i/phrz5QAv7N
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abbigalkaysphotography?igsh=d21taTV5YmJ6djRu
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Fk4HqzDVz/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Image Credits
Personal photo: Moody Meadows Photography
Other images, portfolio: edited and captured by Abbigal Kay’s Photography
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
