Meet Kayla: The Story Behind the Lens

Hey, friends! I was so lucky to be featured in a Charleston Working Moms blog post recently. Katie has build such an amazing community of Moms and being featured on her website means so much! I love all of the things we've been able to do together, and I am excited for some events we've got planned for the future! It was great getting a chance to answer her questions, and honestly take some time to think about how far I've come! You can read the whole interview here.

One of my favorite questions to answer?

What advice would you give a new Mom?

” The days are long but the years are short”, it’s such a silly little quote, that’s been handed down from generation to generation for a reason! Sometimes the length of time between wakeup and bedtime feels never ending, but goodness if they don’t spend everyday growing, changing and needing you a little less. Getting photos of your kids isn’t just about marking who they are today for today, but it’s really about giving your Mama heart a gift 10 years from now when they are all grown up and needing you less. It’s about having those long days that you’ll eventually miss, saved forever.

It made me realize that it’s been a while since I properly introduced myself. I meet people all the time who ask how I got into photography, and while I’ve shared the story here and there, I haven’t actually put it all down in one place in a long time. So hi!

I’m Kayla—yes, Kayla Rochelle. That’s my first and middle name, and also the name of my business, Kayla Rochelle Photography. I started this little adventure 13 years ago, long before I was married. I wasn’t even engaged yet! I was dating my now-husband, but I couldn’t exactly use his last name professionally, and I didn’t want to use my maiden name knowing it was about to change. So, Kayla Rochelle it was.

Running a photography business wasn’t exactly a plan I mapped out. It just kind of… happened. Outside of photography, I’m a wife and a mom to two amazing girls. Raising daughters has been a joy—our home is full of energy, personality, and a whole lot of fun. We’re big on laughter and big on having fun. No one in this family has ever been described as shy. I’m a loud, extroverted extrovert. Karaoke? I’m in. Making a fool of myself for fun? Absolutely. I’ve always been that way. Growing up, I was told I talked too much and was ‘too much’ in general.

But now?

I see it as a superpower.And that “too much” energy? It works perfectly in photography. I love connecting with people from all walks of life, and making them feel at ease in front of the camera. That’s where the magic happens.

My story starts at Best Buy, of all places. I was hired during the holiday season to work in the camera department. My now-husband worked there too. I spent my shifts talking to customers about cameras, explaining their features, and helping people decide what to buy. That Christmas, he surprised me with my very first DSLR—a Nikon D5000. He told me, 'You talk about cameras all day—you should have one of your own.'Before that, I had a pink Sony Cyber-shot point-and-shoot that I brought everywhere. I was the friend who took 200 photos at every party. So getting a DSLR?

Game-changer.

I started by taking pictures of myself for my fashion blog (hello, 2007!). I thrifted outfits and staged living room photo shoots. Eventually, I started taking pictures of my sister, friends, anyone who would let me.One day, my husband and my parents sat me down and said, 'Why aren’t you charging for this?' I didn’t think I was good enough. But they believed in me, and that belief was enough to push me forward.

I got my business license, launched my website, and officially became Kayla Rochelle Photography.In those early days, I learned everything the scrappy way—YouTube tutorials, online workshops, trial and error. For years, I shot with that same entry-level crop sensor camera.

And honestly?

It worked. I didn’t have the fanciest gear, but I gave my clients images they loved. I still see some of those early photos hanging on their walls, and it blows my mind.

Now, 13 years in, I’m more confident than ever in my ability to create art that reflects the real, raw beauty of the people in front of my lens. I’ve grown so much, and I know I’m not done yet. Whether I’m photographing families, small businesses, weddings, or anything in between, I show up ready to capture something meaningful—and have a good time doing it.

So if we haven’t met yet,

hi! I’m Kayla.

I can’t wait to meet you in person, and I can’t wait to see where the next 13 years take me.