We were lucky to catch up with Kelsie Carlson recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Kelsie, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
For me, confidence has come through consistency and discipline. I’ve learned that when I truly put in the work, when I show up prepared and grounded in my purpose-it naturally builds confidence. I remind myself often that I’ve earned my place in the rooms I walk into. I’m here because I’ve worked hard, not by chance. Being prepared makes me feel ready, and being consistent in that preparation has helped me grow into someone who feels genuinely confident in what I do.
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?
I’m a lifestyle marketing & portrait photographer based in Southern California, and I’ve been doing this professionally for nine years now. My work blends creativity with purpose-I get to help people and brands visually express who they are and what they’re about. Whether it’s a product shoot for a swimwear or jewelry line, branding portraits for a new business launch, or birthday photos to mark a special season of life, I love collaborating with my clients to bring their vision to life.
What excites me most is that no two shoots are ever the same. Each session is an opportunity to capture something meaningful and create visuals that feel authentic, vibrant, and useful-whether professionally or personally. I’m especially drawn to warm light, bold color, and all the little details that help tell a bigger story.
I take a lot of pride in tailoring every shoot to reflect the heart of who or what I’m photographing. My goal is always to make the process feel collaborative and fun while delivering a polished end product that my clients can truly use and feel proud of.
Right now, I’m continuing to grow my business, working with more brands and businesses on marketing-driven shoots. I’m always excited for what’s next-especially if it means traveling, creating, and connecting through my work.
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?
One of the biggest things that helped me grow was just getting my reps in. Shoot, shoot, shoot. In my early days, I was constantly taking photos-truly, I never stopped! That hands-on experience helped me improve in every area: shooting, editing, collaborating, directing-everything gets better the more you do it. So my advice? Don’t wait for the “perfect” opportunity or the most ideal gear. Just get out there and shoot as much as you can.
Another major one is learning how to see-developing a creative eye. That takes time and intentionality. I started noticing light, colors, framing, and small details everywhere, even when I wasn’t shooting. Start studying work you love, pay attention to what draws you in, and let that shape your own style. You don’t need to copy others, but you do need to train your eye and stay curious.
The third would be learning how to work with people. So much of photography is collaboration-making people feel comfortable, understanding their vision, and being able to direct with confidence and kindness. Early on, I didn’t realize how much of the job is about human connection, not just the camera. Practicing communication, empathy, and listening will take you just as far as technical skills.
How would you describe your ideal client?
My ideal client is someone who’s excited to create and values the process just as much as the outcome. I love working with people who have a vision-whether super clear or just a general vibe—and are open to collaborating to bring it to life. They trust the creative process, are down to experiment a little, and are excited to show up and be part of it all.
Whether it’s a brand owner, a small business, or someone celebrating a personal milestone, I really click with clients who are passionate about what they’re doing and care about how it’s presented. When they trust me with their story or their product, it becomes this really fun, collaborative energy where we both leave feeling proud of what we created.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kelsiecarlson.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelsieecarlson/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@kelsieecarlsonphotos
Image Credits
1st photo of me in ocean – taken by photographer Jessica A.H. Pine
My key photos & 2 photos of me in desert backyard (one is me taking photos of someone laying down in a lounge chair & the other photo is of me sitting in that lawn chair w/ my camera- looking at the camera) – Photos taken by photographer, Mallory Thomas
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
