Meet Kaylan Hutchins

We were lucky to catch up with Kaylan Hutchins recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kaylan, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

To be quite honest, I truly have not overcome imposter syndrome and it’s something that is a constant battle for me. There are constantly those thoughts in the back of my head that make me wonder if I really am good at what I do. It’s so easy, especially for photographers or other entrepreneurs, to get caught up in comparing yourself to others in the same field. You have to realize that you are not for everyone and that’s completely fine. For someone that has always been such a people pleaser and a perfectionist it took me a lot to realize that not everyone is going to like my editing style, the way I capture people, etc. I’m constantly wondering if it’s just luck that has brought me where I am, while I am very lucky I have to remember I built this business myself and am constantly learning new things and continuing to grow. Sometimes you have to take a step back to really see how far you’ve come and all the challenges you’ve had to face along the way. Everyone had to start somewhere in their journey and all you can do is continue to build and grow.

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?

I’m a photographer that specializes in motherhood, families, and newborns. I’ve recently branched into couples/engagements more and am hoping to do more weddings in the future. I focus on capturing candid and raw emotions. My passion for photography and capturing important moments for people sparked after I had my first child and became a stay at home mom. My husband bought me my first camera for Christmas and after a few months of not touching it or even knowing what to do with it I finally picked it up and quickly taught myself. I immediately fell in love with it after taking pictures for a few families and realized I truly wanted to do something with that passion and that’s when I started Kay McKenzie Photography in June 2023. I’ve truly grown so much since starting this business, as a photographer and a person. I’ve met so many amazing people, grown friendships with people that started as clients, and have had so many amazing opportunities with this business. One person that has truly inspired me throughout my journey is our family photographer, Kasey Fraley. I’ve always admired her work and she has captured so many special moments in my life such as my wedding day. I’ve grown a relationship with her and will forever use her to capture our family and that’s the exact same way I strive to be with my clients. I want to be more than JUST your photographer!

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?

Community/networking, creativity, and having an eye for detail have been the most impactful in my photography journey.
Networking is one of the most important as it has allowed me to come across new opportunities, stay updated on trends, learn from more experienced photographers, and potentially find new clients through connections within the community. I don’t look at other photographers as competition, building relationships with others has allowed me to learn new things and continue to grow in my business. Being an introverted person that has been a bit of a challenge to me at times but stepping out of my comfort zone and pushing myself has allowed so much growth in my business and as a person. Creativity and having an eye for detail are crucial, it’s so important to be able to capture emotions in photos and be able to tell a story through images. If you’re looking for “stand still and smile at the camera” I may not be the photographer for you, I strive to have fun at my sessions and capture who you really are. My advice to any photographers early in their journey would be to focus on what you’re truly passionate about to avoid burnout, don’t compare yourself to other photographers, and find a community that pushes you to learn and grow.

How would you describe your ideal client?

My ideal client would be someone who shares the same vision and are open to creative direction, I want my client to trust my ideas. Some people won’t click with your style and that’s okay. Photography is an investment so my dream client would be someone who values my time and work. I’m a pretty easy going, relaxed, and simple person so finding people that share those same qualities is important.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kaymckenziephotography.com/
• Instagram: @kaymckenziephotography
• Facebook: Kay McKenzie Photography

Image Credits

Kasey Fraley Photography

Kameryn Matranga