Today we’d like to introduce you to Kayla Mandeville.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Kayla. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My journey in photography began about 4 years ago, shortly after my son was born. I’m a stay at home mom so I would take pictures of him non stop. I loved taking his picture and I would only use my cell phone. So when it came time to print the photos the quality was terrible. So my mom actually lent me her Nikon.
So I started playing around with that and taking my son and husband’s pictures all of the time. After a while, my husband suggested that I try taking landscapes. Once I started taking landscapes, I never looked back. I quickly fell in love with photography. I made it a point to go out shooting almost every day. After a while, people I knew told me that they really enjoyed my photography.
To be honest, I didn’t believe them. haha. I felt like they were just “saying that” ..you know.. to make me feel good. So, the August of 2015 I decided to create an Instagram to see what complete strangers thought of my shots.
Honestly, I cannot say enough about the New England photography community on Instagram. I’ve received so much support, encouragement and inspiration. In the early part of last year, I began learning more of the technical side of photography and trying out new styles and approaches to shooting, which really transformed me as a photographer.
After a while, on Instagram I built a small audience and started receiving many requests to sell my art… and that’s when Kay Elizabeth Photos was born.. and that’s where I am today! It blows MY MIND that all over the country my photos are hanging in the homes of complete strangers. I even had a customer in Japan! So so unreal!
Has it been a smooth road?
I wish I could say it has been a smooth road. The last two years have been a bit of a challenge for my little family and I. In 2016 my son was diagnosed with Autism and my grandmother, who served as a surrogate mother, was diagnosed with Lung Cancer.
Watching my grandmother fight a losing battle with cancer was honestly one of the hardest things I’ve had to endure. I am thankful for photography because it became a form of therapy and a way for me to find some peace during such a crazy time.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Kay Elizabeth Photos is an Etsy store where I sell most of my New England photography prints. Most of my shots are taken in Rhode Island or Southern New England, however, I do feature shots from Boston, Maine and New Hampshire. I do not take portraits, or photograph events because I do not find it enjoyable.
Photography is fun for me, so I don’t want to start taking on projects that will change. that. I feel as though my love for landscape photography shines thru in my work.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I feel like it is very supportive of the arts and knows what it wants and likes. If someone is just starting out I would say that there are a million photographers out there so make sure you know your stuff and produce quality work.
Pricing:
- Prices start at $11 for 5x7in
- up to $47 for 20×30
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/KayElizabethPhotos
- Email: kaymandeville@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/k___elizabeth/
Image Credit:
@NPT_style
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