Kennedy Keever shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Kennedy, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
This is the season of family for me – which is something I prayed desperately for over the years. In November of 2024, I married my wonderful husband, Kameron, and not only gained the title of “wife”, but also “bonus mom” to an amazing three-year-old girl. It has truly been the most transformative and challenging – yet most joyful – time period of my life.
This summer, my husband and I intentionally cleared our schedules to spend time as our first summer as a family while we had our sweet girl with us. It’s been nothing but straight swimming, zoo trips, visits to Dinosour World in Glen Rose, more swimming, family pictures, slow evenings, and you guessed it… more swimming!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Kennedy Keever and I have been in the photography industry for eight years this November. In such a saturated environment, it can be hard to “stand out” amongst the others. I think what I have managed to achieve throughout the years as I’ve established my brand is the ability to create relationships with my clients. I like to think I leave shoots or weddings with friends rather than a transactionally based relationship. I think a lot of people who have worked with me can atest to the fact that when you as the photographer take the extra step to just simply get to know your clients – understand who they are, where they come from, get familiar with their story – it creates a comfortable environment where not only your clients feel less pressure to be “perfect” in their photos, but also allows you as the creative to perfect your craft.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
This is a very unique question because both inside and outside of my photography career, I have experienced the coming and going of “belonging” – yet I don’t feel that I’ve ever truly lost sight of who I am to my core – even if the world has different expectations or standards of me. I know that this confidence comes from the Lord, who has gifted me with every talent and every gift I have ever or will ever obtain. I remember in my teen years, I really struggled with that since of belonging, and my mom randomly taped a sticky note on my mirror with Psalm 139:14 handwritten on it – stating that I am fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of our Lord. That small reminder has stuck with me ever since, and when the world tells me that I have to be something that I can’t achieve, I know that I’ve already been molded and crafted into what I am supposed to be.
What’s something you changed your mind about after failing hard?
I actually work as a marketing director for a brokerage in my day-to-day job – and though it’s different than photography, the two can easily go hand in hand as something that is subjective and personal as they both are creative based jobs. To me, that means that everyone in the creative world has a certain look or vibe to whatever they are doing, and its subjective to every single person which in turns means… what you created may not always be what works for someone else.
The past three years working in marketing has really opened my eyes up to what is seen as “failure”. I don’t feel that when I create a marketing piece or when I take a photo that isn’t attractive to one person means that I have failed. Instead, I can look at it as a way to grow my talents – not to just corner myself into what I think looks good – but to learn how I can expand my abilities to reach other people with their personal style and what looks good to them.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
If there is something that I hold on to tightly in my heart when interacting with others – in life or in my career – I truly value transparency. If I hadn’t had role models in my life growing up who were true and honest about the messiness of life, the imperfections, and their struggles, I know for certain I wouldn’t be who I am today. So when I put myself out there on my social media or in the world in general, I try to be as honest, messy, and real as I can be.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Absolutely. I think this makes a full circle back to the other question about feeling confident in who I am through the Lord. With time, I’ve learned that no one will fully appreciate you the way you feel like you should be appreciated at times, and if you only rely on that confirmation from the Lord, then that’s all you need when you lay your head to rest at night.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kennedymckayephotography.mypixieset.com
- Instagram: @kennedymckayephotog
- Facebook: Kennedy McKaye Photography
