In this industry, we all hear a lot of photographers’ names bandied about but do we really know the personality behind the camera? We went straight to the photographers themselves, asking a handful of new speakers at WPPI 2021 to answer 10 questions about who they are and what’s important to them in photography and in life. First up, meet wedding and boudoir photographer Kendra Swalls, who will be leading a Photo Walk at WPPI on August 16 at 3:00 p.m. titled, The Modest Boudoir Photographer.

The former elementary teacher turned entrepreneur started her photography business, Paisley Layne Photography in 2012. In 2017 she left her teacher career behind to run her photography business full time. Since then, Kendra has been published multiple times in local wedding magazines and has been locally recognized. She has also served as a mentor to other local photographers and started a podcast, Girl Means Business, where she gives weekly business and marketing tips to other female entrepreneurs. We recently asked Kendra the following questions to get to know her even better.

1. Why photography?

Growing up I always had a disposable camera with me and would constantly annoy my family and friends with it. I loved the idea of freezing time and being able to capture a moment and hold on to it forever. I remember going to my grandparents’ house in the summer and spending hours looking through old photos of people that I had never met but felt connected to because of those images. Over time our memories fade but when you look at a photo it can all come flooding back—emotions, memories, smells, feelings—it’s all right there!   

[Read: WPPI 2021 is Approaching: Exhibitor List Revealed & More]

2. What was the most challenging shoot you’ve ever had? 

My most challenging shoot was probably my first non-family/friend session I decided to take on. A co-worker had just had twin boys and I offered to take their photos for her. I had NO CLUE what I was doing, and they cried almost the entire session. I decided after that session that newborns and babies were NOT my thing…and I never did another one again.  

3. What is the biggest takeaway you want your WPPI Photo Walk attendees to get after your session? 

Anytime I work with other photographers, my biggest hope is that they leave feeling inspired and excited about what they can create or accomplish in their business. The tips and tricks are all great bonuses, but I want them to leave with a feeling of “I can do this!” or “I am excited about my business again.” We all get stuck in ruts and need a little push to get out of them from time to time, so my hope is that my class can be the push they need.   

4. What’s the most exciting thing happening in the photo industry right now? 

A real sense of community and the mindset shift that there is enough for everyone! I love seeing photographers creating communities where they support each other, work together and hype each other up. 

5. What do consider to be a game-changing photographic technique for your business? 

I am not sure this is necessarily a “photographic technique” but once I figured out my personal style and really leaned into it, things clicked for me. I stopped trying to make my photos look like someone else’s and started focusing on what I wanted my photos and my brand to look like. I learned what type of lighting I liked best, how I liked to pose my clients and what type of locations I enjoyed the most. All of those things combined have helped me to create a brand with images that people recognize and I feel confident creating.   

6. What’s something that very few people know about you? 

This is a tough one because I am such an open book that there isn’t much that people don’t already know. I would have to say that most people probably don’t know that I am a fidgeter. I don’t even realize I am doing it most of the time, but I will find myself bouncing my leg up and down while sitting at my desk, playing with a pen cap while recording a podcast episode or tapping my fingers on the steering wheel in the car. I honestly don’t notice when I am doing it, but it will drive my husband crazy! 

7. What do you think portrait photographers aren’t doing but should? 

I think all photographers need to have a strong understanding of business if they want to grow their brand. Having beautiful images isn’t enough to build a strong client base; you must also have business and marketing skills (which usually don’t come naturally for creatives).  

8. What do you think the photography industry can improve upon, whether it be an outlook, piece of equipment or trend? 

I think the biggest improvement the photography industry can make right now is to embrace the idea that there is room at the table for everyone. While I see lots of “community over competition” talks and groups helping each other out, there is still a large majority of photographers who don’t want to expand the table so others can join. I hear stories all the time (and have experienced it myself) of new photographers getting called out, embarrassed, belittled and shamed for asking questions or sharing their work. They are being discouraged from trying or asking for help because they are told “I had to figure it out on my own, so you should too.” It’s embarrassing to see this type of mindset still so prevalent in our industry.  

9. What advice to you have for keeping your work fresh? 

Trends and new techniques are great to play around with, but always make sure that it fits your brand and your style, or that you do it in your own unique way.  Push yourself to be creative and do things that are just for you, and if you feel yourself getting burned out, take a break and try something new or different. 

10. What’s your favorite piece of equipment or something you just can’t live without? 

I recently switched to a mirrorless camera (Sony) and it has been so amazing! I love simplicity and never liked carrying around a ton of gear, so the weight and size of the mirrorless is perfect for me! 

Meet Kendra Swalls and all of the speakers who will be sharing their knowledge with you at WPPI 2021, August 15–19 at the Mirage Convention Center in Las Vegas. You can register HERE.