Hey there! My name is Kayla and I'm who you'll see behind the camera. I'm currently based in central Virginia, but of course, I'm always down to travel to you! I graduated from Randolph College in May of 2022 and I currently teach 7th grade math at the best middle school in Lynchburg (Go Poets!).
I enjoy shooting for all types of occasions and events! Senior portraits, grad pics, family photos, engagements, maternity, just for fun, you name it - I love it. It's about having fun and spending time with good people that I value the most.
Photography is something I've had an interest in for years, but in the summer of 2020, I decided to start my own business! Read more about my photography journey below.
How I Got Started
I remember being in middle school and planning photoshoots with my cousin. We would take our iPods outside, pose each other, and post to our hearts content. We thought we were hot stuff (we were something that's for sure!). That was my first experience with taking photographs and getting creative with pictures.
Once I was in high school, I started serving on the worship team at my church. This introduced me to the more contemporary side of my religion where I was able to branch out and explore the way other contemporary churches did things. When I went off to college, I started attending a branch of a megachurch in Roanoke, Virginia where I got to see behind the scenes how such a big church functions. This is when I first learned about worship photography.
Around November of 2018, I eagerly came back to my hometown church and decided to pick up our church camera to take worship photos. I had no idea what I was doing and it took me a few Sundays to figure it out, but eventually, I was able to take some pretty decent photos. I downloaded free editing software on my computer and tried to edit my photos too! I realized that I wasn't too bad at it, so I took pictures for my church whenever I got the chance, but because I didn't own my own camera, I wasn't able to do much of anything besides church photos for a couple of years.
Then summer of 2020 came! I got an internship with the City of Clinton to work with and promote downtown businesses. I decided I would use social media and photography to my advantage. I used the city's camera and took pictures in business and around the town. I was even able to get a group of models together so I could have people in my photos instead of just buildings/products.
That's when Kayla Anne Morris Photography was born! I put together a logo, made an Instagram account, and got to work!
What's Happened Since
Since the start of my business, I have had the opportunity to photograph TONS of things! My first paid gig was an engagement shoot which is when I realized my passion for capturing couples. I went on to do more engagement and couple shoots, family photos, playdate pictures, and even a birthday shoot! I started my business at the same time as one of my best friends started her own videography business, Radiant Film NC by Megan. We have worked together on several occasions and it has been so much fun having a friend to navigate the creative industry with!
As I mentioned above, recently graduated from Randolph College in Virginia where I interned with campus photographer, Jill Nance Waugh. I learned so much about how to be a better photographer while working on numerous projects including branding, social media, and sports and event photography.
A Look Into Summer of 2020
