Hi! My name is Kylie, aka the girl behind the camera at Kylie Stewart Photography. I am going to tell you the story of how I got to where I am today. That story involves a photography-loving dad and his 14-year-old daughter who decided to give photography a try.
My Photography Inspiration
I wouldn’t be where I am without my dad’s passion for photography. My dad started loving photography while in college, and around that time, his dad started getting creative with his photos.
Growing up with a photographer for a dad meant there were a lot of photos from my childhood! (which I am so grateful for)
My dad works in learning and development, so naturally, he created a free photography for beginners class he taught to coworkers, locals, and, you guessed it—me. However, I didn’t say yes when he first offered to teach it to me. Believe it or not, I was quite uninterested in photography before 2015. My dad would always jokingly try to encourage me to try, and I would always decline.
This all changed as I became more interested in Instagram. After creating an account, I quickly discovered a style of photos called “Tumblr quality.” As the name suggests, this style originated from Tumblr. The “quality” part of the name comes from the idea that the pictures are taken using a DSLR which creates a blurry background. The majority of the pictures include girls holding objects such as candles or Starbucks drinks. As a 13-year-old, I loved the “Tumblr quality” pictures and dreamed of starting my own account.
Humble Beginnings: My First Camera
I had so many ideas for pictures, but there was one thing I did not have: a camera. So, when my dad mentioned to me he was going on a spontaneous trip to a camera store, I said I would join. My dad and the store employees helped me find an affordable used starter kit to get me started. Little did I know, this spontaneous trip to the camera store would truly change my life.
My dad taught me how to take pictures through the class mentioned earlier. I’ll never forget how excited he was to teach me. The class finished with hands-on training: We went into our neighborhood, where I took my first pictures ever. After, we went over what my dad and I took, and he explained how to use Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop. My dad gave the perfect example of constructive criticism, and to this day, I go to him when I seek feedback on my photos. (And he goes to me! :))
I found photography incredibly confusing at first. I didn’t understand how bigger f-stop numbers meant less light. (Until my dad explained that they are fractions) I used the auto setting for a while until I finally listened to my dad and learned how to use manual mode. I went along on shoots with my dad and took plenty of photos for my “Tumblr” Instagram. While the concept of these photos is simple, it provided an opportunity to learn how to work with light, camera settings, and edit.
Throughout the rest of 2015, I took my camera on school trips, vacations, and creative shoots with my dad. Some of my favorite photos to this day are from this time in life. I was falling in love with the art of photography and learning with every picture I captured. I created a new Instagram account: a photography account. Here, I posted a variety of photos I took. Around this time, I also got involved as a photographer for my high school’s yearbook.
The Start of My Photography Business
I didn't know at the time, but Kylie Stewart Photography dates back to 2016. I took a few portraits of my mom and sister and started getting creative in 2017. I convinced my sister Sarah to go on a portrait shoot with me. We took some Trader Joe’s flowers to a random field during golden hour; the rest is history. It was during this shoot that I discovered a love for portrait photography.
Here, I discovered a love for portrait photography, but I had a problem: my only model was my sister, who didn’t love getting her photo taken. It wasn't until 2019 that I became more interested in portrait photography. My family moved to Pennsylvania in 2018, and I had a new group of friends. I was finishing up my senior year of high school when a girl I knew from youth group mentioned she needed someone to take her senior photos. I jumped on the opportunity and am forever grateful her parents trusted me to provide photos. I did a ton of research this time and borrowed my dad’s camera since mine was purchased with a 14-year-old’s budget.
It was this shoot that convinced me I could and wanted to go somewhere with portrait photography. I transitioned my photography Instagram into a business page, and the rest is history!
Photography has opened up so many opportunities for me. From taking photos for my high school yearbook to taking photos at my church, college newspaper, and a summer camp. I have learned a lot about myself through my photo journey, enjoyed new experiences, and met new people.
Central Pennsylvania Wedding and Portrait Photographer
So there you have it—how Kylie Stewart Photography got to where it is today. I am truly blessed to have the opportunity to do what I love for the most amazing clients. Today, I specialize in senior portraits, engagements, weddings, + more in Central Pennsylvania and wherever you take me. Thank you for spending the time to get to know me. I would love to get to know you! Contact me; I would love to be friends.
