Happy New Year, everyone! I don't know if it is just me, but I do believe 2024 has a different energy about it and I am excited to see what the year brings. Although I haven't counted it up, I know I certainly took on more sessions in 2023 than in any previous year.
In 2023, I also took Kayla Koch Photo full time which was an absolute whirlwind of a decision but one I don't think I'll ever regret. The more I posted on social media, the more people reached out about booking a session with me which was such an amazing feeling. Especially as someone who struggles with imposter syndrome and constantly wondering if they are good enough to call themselves a "professional" in the space, it was and still is such an honor to be trusted to capture photos for any occasion.
(Let it be known I am very much aware that I am a professional in the space and am indeed good at what I do. Sometimes, I just need to remind myself.)
As we walk into 2024, I am 28 years old. This is kind of crazy to say because sometimes, I still feel like I'm in my early 20s and finishing college, but college is about to be six years in my past. I find myself wondering what my life would look like had I decided to launch my photography business directly out of college instead of spending several years in the corporate world before going full time into Kayla Koch Photo.
But then, I'm reminded that everything happens for a reason.
Had I jumped into the entrepreneurial world when I was 23 and fresh out of college, I wouldn't have nearly the same amount of marketing experience (or experience in general) that would have made me feel like I could succeed on my own. Every step I took allowed me to hone in on my skillset whether that be behind a camera, with my prompts and poses, or in digital marketing to allow myself and my brand to reach my perfect audience and clientele. And the best part? I'm STILL growing and learning and that's pretty cool.
So why do I say all of this? What the heck does this have to do with booking a session with me this year? I'm glad you asked.
Over the last 10 years, I have graduated from high school, gone on countless adventures in numerous countries, graduated from college, met the love of my life and watched my smile grow SO big, watched my family expand as my sister got married, tried a variety of new experiences, and all the while, I learned so much about myself. Year over year, I changed. I changed for the better and looking back on the photos I've either taken or have found of myself, I have found myself and continued to blossom into who I am today - and I can tell you I'm not done growing. But who is? Growth for everyone!
Looking back on the photos I've captured of my growth makes me so incredibly happy. It's like a snippet in time where I am allowed to see who I was then and cherish how far I've come. When people ask me why book a photo session with me, I will always remind you that you are you in this moment right now. Even tomorrow, that may look and feel different, but you are you today and that is worth capturing time and time again.
Families grow and change. Babies are born. New pets are added into the mix. Loved ones age. These changes happen faster than you'd believe.
One of my best friends had a baby in the last few months of 2023. This is my first experience being around a newborn baby in such close proximity. Let me tell you: there is no way you can possibly manage to take enough photos to capture a newborn's speedy growth. One moment, they look like their mom, the next moment, they look like their dad, and so on and so forth. As I type this blog post, she is already FOUR months old, and I swear it feels like she arrived maybe 30 seconds ago. Time flies when you're having fun raising a little one.
However, this only proves my point further. Time goes by so quickly and with every passing day and year, people change and especially with loved ones, you don't want to miss a moment.
When I was younger, my parents documented everything. And I mean everything. We have home videos of our trips to Mexico, birthdays, holidays, first pets, elementary school performances, ballet classes, etc. My mom also had a camera that she would use to capture the still moments. When my sister got married a few months ago, we combed through photos and videos to reminisce on her younger years to recall how she became the strongheaded woman she is today.
Photos aren't just digital items to print out and hang on your wall. Photos are memories encapsulated in time.
The next time you are wondering if you should book a photo session, trust me: please do it. You will not regret looking back on photos of your loved ones (or just portraits of yourself!) at any age. So much can change in the blink of an eye. Capture it all while you can.
-KKP
To book a photo session with Kayla, please click here.