Kara Layfield of Kara Layfield Photography out of Maryland was first featured on the blog August 9, 2011.  Since then she has grown her business and realized her love of photographing seniors.  We caught up with Kara to see what she has been up to and how her business has changed since we last featured her.  Read what Kara had to say below!!

When did you photograph your first senior client?  I photographed my first senior client back in the summer of 2010. 

When did you realize that you wanted to specialize in senior photography?  After shooting my first senior I was hooked.  I love how well they take direction and the energy they bring to a session.  When I sat down and edited one of my first senior sessions, I got little chill bumps on my arms.  I couldn’t get enough of their cute and trendy clothes, their spunky attitude and all the fun poses they would try.  In fact, I enjoy editing a senior session just as much as shooting it.  I really enjoy my family clients, but seniors take the cake.

How long have you been in business?  How long have you been specifically in the senior portrait business?  My business officially started in 2010, but I’ve been shooting children and families since 2007.  In 2011 I realized that I love seniors and wanted to specifically target this market and specialize in high school senior portrait photography. 

How has your business grown in the last year since you were first featured on Seniorologie?  My business has certainly grown after I was first featured on Seniorologie.  It’s amazing how social media can aid in the growth of your business. After posting my first senior session on my blog and Facebook, I was receiving more inquiries than ever. 

Was there a breakthrough or “a ha” moment when it come to your senior business? If so, what?  I’ve had many “a ha” moments in regards to my senior business.  I’ve attending seminars, spoken with other senior portrait photographers, read articles, and watched numerous business how-to videos.  Each of these resources has given me great information that I was able to put together to help me do what I’m doing today.  I will say that having a strong group of photographers behind you, supporting you and giving you advice is invaluable.     

What do you love the most about working with seniors?  I adore their outlook on life.  At this stage, the world is at their feet.  They have such a positive and optimistic outlook.  They have goals and a plan to get where they are going.  This same spirit comes through at their session as well.  They are so full of energy and are up for anything I may throw their way. 

How do you plan your senior shoots?  Do you include the senior in this process?  I most certainly include the senior in the planning process.  We usually talk about a month before the session to get an idea of location and theme.  Most seniors are very specific on what they are looking for and I want to come as close to that as possible.  Not only do we discuss location, but clothing as well.  I try and coordinate their outfits with the location that we’ve chosen.  I tell the senior to bring at least 5 outfits including fun jewelry and accessories and together we pick what we think would look best.

How do you feel your confidence has grown from when you first started working with seniors until now?  Over these two short years, my confidence has grown in how I find the light, pose my clients, and even how I handle my business.  I’ve learned that running a photography business is 90% business and 10% photography. I hope in the next two years I’m even more confident and further along in my business.    

How has your photography style grown?  My style has certainly grown over the last two years.  My post production is still the same with bold and colorful images, but I feel that I’ve learned more about who I am as a photographer and how I want to run my business.  Before I felt as if I was shooting what the client wants and not for me.  Now don’t get me wrong, I want my clients to be happy and get what they want, but I want to guide them and have them trust my instincts and style.  So far so good!

Where do you go for inspiration when it comes to senior portrait photography? Seniorologie is my first stop!  I speak with other senior portrait photographers, scroll thru photography blogs, pinterest and even magazines.  Inspiration can come from anything.  I always keep a pen and paper in my car at all times to write thoughts as they pop in my mind. 

How has Seniorologie helped you or inspired you in your photography business?  I enjoy learning about other senior portrait photographers in our industry.  There are many that I’ve been introduced to for the first time.  I love to scroll through their blogs to see their current work.  Seniorologie keeps me posted on new trends and certainly makes reading the blog fun.