Meet Kelsey Mard | Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kelsey Mard and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kelsey, do you have any habits that you feel contribute to your effectiveness?
Send the email — Some of my greatest opportunities have come along because of emails I was almost too afraid to send. Do your due diligence, make sure your email is well written and respectful, be afraid, send it anyway.

Introspection — After every project, I spend time thinking about what I could have done differently, and brainstorm what I should do next time—introspection is key, and I think my brain is just wired this way. It isn’t some regimented process, I literally just think about it while I’m walking my dog or in the shower or something. Sometimes I will talk to my husband or best friend about it — a range of perspectives is invaluable, especially when my job is to take photos of all different types of personalities. What makes a project go well with one personality may not work for another. Toxic positivity has no place in creativity IMO — there is always something that can be pushed further, or be improved.

Prioritize mental health — I am a deeply feeling individual and confidence has never come naturally to me. Luckily, confidence is something that we can learn to embody, and it is absolutely necessary in creative industries. Your art is an extension of YOU, and if you do not value yourself and believe that the work you’re doing matters, other people will not value it either. Remember that thoughts rarely change behaviors, but behaviors can change thoughts. It gives the cliche advice “fake it ’til you make it” new meaning because it actually biologically is true.

Lean into what feels right — Be persistent, but resist the urge to force relationships in your business or personal life.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a photographer who specializes in weddings and portraits. I find myself drawn to documenting the soft and beautiful parts of humanity — small bids at connection, effortless displays of emotion, and raw unencumbered joy. I pay a lot of attention to “in-between” interactions, because that’s where the authenticity lives. My work is photojournalistic, or documentary style, and prioritizes genuine connection. I did also recently have a show of my work on display at a Charlotte gallery. I take a little film camera with me everywhere, and a lot of those images were featured. It was a new experience, and it was incredibly fun. I’d like to do more of it.

My “why” for my work is the sense of understanding and connection that a photo can provide. Sometimes it makes being a photographer feel really powerful — like I have the ability to remind people who they are. It comes up often when photographing mothers. I think to myself “wow, this woman is so beautiful and cares for her children in such a nurturing way. How incredible that I get to show her that… that I get to show her herself.” To push that idea even further: “how incredible that this child might someday see this image and see how cherished they are.” Or in a portrait session with a couple, I’ll capture a photo of them looking at each other with this formidable endearment. I’ll think about how that photo might remind them how much they love each other at some pivotal time when they really need that reminder. Often in life I think we need reminders of the lightness within ourselves and around us, and impactful photography accomplishes that, one image can literally transcend love.

My journey to being a full time photographer has definitely been a grind. I worked a pretty demanding full time job as a UX designer for a corporate company until 4 months ago. I built my photography company on nights and weekends for about 8 years, and ultimately decided to make the jump to full time because I know that where you put your energy is where things grow. Having a full time job for so long might have capped my growth potential for a few years, but it allowed me to be intentional about what I was learning, and not just take on any project to pay the bills.

The most impactful skills that I’ve learned have nothing to do with how to operate a camera, it’s the interpersonal skills. For example, prioritizing a few moments to just chat with a client before picking up the camera to photograph them, or resisting the urge to move a photoshoot along when the client hasn’t fully settled into being comfortable yet. A lot of times if I just wait a little bit longer and stay in observation, I’ll get the shot.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
First things first — Salud. I would take them there for dinner, we would pick out a bottle of wine and split a pizza and a salad. Hopefully sit on their patio if the weather was nice.

We would also go to Camp North End during the day on the weekend and stop by Grow, a plant shop. Maybe do a day trip up to Davidson, or an overnight trip to a mountain town like Asheville or Lansing.

I probably would take them to optimist hall, and maybe take the lightrail over to south end to show them The Rail Trail.

We would walk into Plaza Midwood many times to visit places like Milkbread, Legion Brewing, and Calle Sol. We also would probably grab a glass of wine at Supperland and try to sit outside at their bar.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My mom, Lisa Williams Kline. She has been a self employed writer my whole life and has had several books and short stories published. She had one novel that she submitted consistently for 10 years before it was published.

Hearing her stories about her work ethic and the creative industry taught me that behind every successful artist there are experiences of defeat. You have to continue to believe in yourself and the work that you’re doing, and not let a “no” keep you down.

Website: https://www.kelseymard.com

Instagram: @kelsey.mard.photo, @kelsey.mard.studio

Image Credits
Kelsey Mard Photography