Meet Kayla Matthews

We were lucky to catch up with Kayla Matthews recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Kayla, really appreciate you joining us to talk about a really relevant, albeit unfortunate topic – layoffs and getting fired. Can you talk to us about your experience and how you overcame being let go?

During the majority of COVID, I was working remotely as a travel nurse recruiter. The job was going great at first, but as the pandemic slowed and the company I worked for started to feel the strain, it was obvious layoffs were coming. I had just bought this beautiful home, and the anxiety was overwhelming. I remember thinking, *What happens if I lose my job now?*

After a few rounds of layoffs, I had a sinking feeling it was only a matter of time before I was next. Sure enough, they called me in for a meeting, and that was it — I was let go. To make matters worse, I only received about a third of the commissions I should’ve earned from placing travelers on 13-week contracts, plus a mere three weeks of salary, which barely amounted to minimum wage after all those 60-70 hour workweeks. It felt like all that hard work had been for nothing, and I was left with nothing but crumbs.

I’ll never forget sitting at the top of my stairs, crying for what seemed like forever. I felt lost, overwhelmed, and scared. But then, something inside me clicked. After about 10 minutes of self-pity, I stood up, wiped my tears, and gave myself a pep talk: *You got this. It’s time to move forward.*

I got ready and headed to a friend’s house. She was a photographer, and I was ready to learn something new. I lived along the coast, where vacationers flocked all year long, and thought, *Why not? I can totally do this.*

Years before, I had bought a professional camera to take photos of a friend’s engagement but never really used it — it sat in its case, collecting dust. But that day, I was determined to change that. When I arrived at my friend’s house, I looked at her and said, “Teach me how to use this thing!” She wasn’t exactly hands-on, but she gave me the basics: *Here’s the camera, here are some settings, now go practice.* So, that’s what I did.

From that moment on, photography became my full-time job. I threw myself into every free course I could find — on lighting, posing, and even the business side of photography. I was working harder teaching myself how to be a photographer than I ever did as a recruiter. Within just a week, I had launched a website, a Facebook page, and an Instagram account. But the hardest part? Getting people to let me practice on them.

I spent countless hours teaching myself and sending out over 200 job applications to corporate positions. But deep down, I knew photography was where I was meant to be. I had gone from being the friend on vacation, always snapping the perfect shots, to someone who had found a real passion for photography.

January 2024, I was officially laid off. But by November of the same year, I had completed over 200 paid photoshoots. It was an incredible first year, and I couldn’t be prouder. This success wasn’t just luck — it was *drive.* When life knocks you down, it’s okay to feel upset. But then you have to pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and keep moving forward. Pour your heart into something, and watch it bloom.

Now, I’m a mentor for other photographers in my area. The one thing I won’t teach them? My marketing tactics and mindset — because I had to learn it all the hard way. I offer both virtual and in-person training on everything from camera skills to editing, and the best part? I offer it all for free in exchange for them doing photoshoots to build their portfolios, gain experience, and earn money. In return, I get a small portion of the booking fee for connecting them with clients.

It’s been a wild ride, but every twist and turn has led me to where I am today. And I wouldn’t change a thing.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

Right now, my focus is centered on capturing authentic, true-to-life personalities through the lens of my camera. I want to tell stories that reflect the heart and soul of each person I photograph, preserving those real, unposed moments that speak volumes. Alongside that, I’m continuing to grow my educational photography stream of income — helping others learn and flourish in this beautiful craft. I’ve even got my sights set on hosting a podcast, or at the very least, being a guest on others’ podcasts, sharing insights and experiences along the way.

Of course, the most important thing to me right now is nurturing my relationship with the man I plan to marry, who coincidentally shares the same passion for photography. We’re building something special together, both in life and in our art.

If you ever find yourself in my area, I would absolutely love the chance to capture the *true* you — the essence that makes you, well, *you.* There’s nothing more fulfilling than creating memories that last a lifetime. Let’s make it happen!

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?

Drive, resilience, and authenticity have been the pillars that have carried me from being laid off to building a successful, full-time photography business. When I was let go from my previous job, it was a devastating blow, especially since I had just bought a beautiful home and felt the weight of uncertainty on my shoulders. But rather than succumbing to fear or self-doubt, my drive kicked in. I was determined to not only survive this setback but to thrive in a new direction. I dove headfirst into learning the craft of photography, throwing myself into every resource I could find to hone my skills. That drive to create something meaningful, to prove to myself that I could succeed, became the fire that pushed me forward.

Resilience played a huge role in my journey, too. The first few steps in photography were far from easy. It took hours of self-teaching, hundreds of applications to corporate jobs that never panned out, and many frustrating moments. But each time I hit a roadblock, I got back up, wiped off the dust, and kept going. I didn’t let rejection or failure define me. I adapted, learned, and grew from each challenge I faced. Resilience wasn’t just about bouncing back — it was about pushing through the tough times and trusting that persistence would pay off.

Authenticity has been the thread weaving everything together. From the very beginning, my goal has been to capture the true essence of each person in front of my lens, focusing on what makes them unique. This pursuit of authenticity also extended to my business practices. I was honest with myself about what I wanted to create and why — not just another photography business, but a space where I could truly help others, teach, and build a community. That authenticity in my approach helped me connect with clients and students who trusted me to guide them on their own journeys. It allowed me to build not just a career, but a meaningful legacy.

These qualities — drive, resilience, and authenticity — transformed a layoff into an opportunity. They helped me turn a passion into a profession, and now, with a year full of successful paid photoshoots and a thriving educational platform, I can say with confidence that this journey, though challenging, was worth every step.

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?

The best thing my parents ever did for me was teach me the value of a dollar at a very young age. They didn’t hand me anything — not once. From a young age, I was shown that if you want something, you have to work for it. They taught me that success doesn’t come from waiting around for opportunity to knock, but from going out and grabbing it yourself. I learned that the early bird gets the worm and the harder you’re willing to work, the more likely you are to see the rewards.

By the time I was 13, I was already buying my own clothes because my parents couldn’t afford to help with that. If I wanted to play sports, it was on me to come up with the money. Whether it was uniforms, gear, or fees, I figured it out. I had to hustle for everything I wanted, and it wasn’t always easy. But looking back, I now know that all those experiences were shaping me into someone who would never expect anything handed to them — someone who understood that you earn your success through dedication and grit.

When I went to college, I wasn’t relying on anyone to foot the bill. I worked two to three jobs at a time, balancing them with extracurricular activities, sports, and still maintaining a social life. It was exhausting, but I managed to push through, getting two completely separate bachelor’s degrees along the way. It wasn’t glamorous, and there were many sleepless nights, but it was my work ethic — instilled in me from childhood — that kept me going.

My parents taught me how to take care of myself, and honestly, that’s the best thing they could have ever done for me. They didn’t shield me from the tough realities of life; they showed me how to face them head-on. Today, I carry that work ethic with me in everything I do, and I’m incredibly grateful for the lessons they instilled in me. The hard work, the resilience, and the understanding that nothing worth having comes easy — these lessons shaped who I am today.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

These are all my images & a release has been signed by the clients.

A few featured people are Vitamin Dee TV
https://www.youtube.com/@VitaminDeeTV/videos

The band, The sunshine Wranglers
https://www.instagram.com/sunshine_wranglers_band?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

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