Meet Kelly Guedes

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kelly Guedes a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Kelly, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?

I keep my creativity alive by staying connected to the people I work with. Every client brings their own energy, story, and perspective, and that naturally sparks ideas for me. Whether it’s capturing a quiet moment between two people in love or listening to someone’s journey and turning it into visual storytelling, I’m constantly inspired by real lives and emotions. Their uniqueness pushes me to see things differently, try new approaches, and stay creatively engaged. It’s not just about making something beautiful. It’s about making something meaningful.

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?

Hi! I’m Kelly, the creative behind Cove Photos, a photography brand rooted in emotion, storytelling, and intentional connection. I specialize in capturing love in all its forms, whether that’s through weddings, portraits, or quiet everyday moments that deserve to be remembered.

What excites me most about what I do is the people. Every client brings a unique energy and story, and I feel so lucky to turn those moments into something tangible and lasting. I’m not just taking photos. I’m creating visual keepsakes that hold real meaning.

Right now I’m expanding my offerings to include more lifestyle sessions and creative content for small businesses and fellow artists. I want my work to feel personal, honest, and a little magical. Like a memory you didn’t know you needed captured.

If you connect with work that feels intimate, nostalgic, and true to you, I’d love to create with you.

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, three things that have made the biggest impact on my journey are empathy, adaptability, and trusting my creative voice.

Empathy helps me connect deeply with the people I work with. It allows me to create in a way that feels personal and genuine, not just surface-level pretty. Adaptability has been essential, especially in creative work where no two days look the same. Whether it’s learning new tools, navigating unpredictable shoots, or shifting direction with a client, being flexible has helped me grow and stay open. And trusting my creative voice has been the hardest but most important. It’s easy to compare or overthink, but learning to stand behind my vision has brought the most fulfillment.

For anyone just starting out, my biggest advice is to stay curious and stay soft. Listen more than you speak, keep trying things even when they feel messy, and don’t be afraid to take up space with your art. Your voice matters, even when it’s still finding its shape.

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?

The most impactful thing my parents did for me was moving to America and building a life from the ground up. Watching them create their own success through hard work, resilience, and belief in themselves showed me that anything is possible. They didn’t just tell me to chase my dreams. They showed me how. Their journey gave me a deep sense of drive and reminded me that with passion and persistence, I can build something meaningful too. They’ve always encouraged me, even when my path looked different from theirs, and that support has shaped so much of who I am today.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cove.photos/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/covephotosandfilm/?hl=en

Image Credits

Kelly Guedes – Cove Photos & Film