Today we’d like to introduce you to McKayla Seiber.
Hi McKayla, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My photography business has been evolving since 2020 when I discovered the power I held with my lens. I was living in New York at the time, and my friends were my muse. We would have photo shoots for fun and I would hear them say “Is that really me?”. I couldn’t believe they didn’t see themselves in the same light that I did. I think we all struggle to see ourselves the way our friends do, and I want to use my lens to reflect that perspective back onto my clients and empower them to see that they are art.
I focus on boudoir because I want my art to be a reflection of what I want to see more of in the world. Boudoir is not only fun but a healing and empowering experience. We (as women) are constantly working on accepting and loving our bodies, and I hope to create a safe space to do so. I also felt inspired by musings on social media that created this cool, subtle yet sexy film vibe… but the models all share the same body type. I want to use my lens to create art that is inclusive to everyone yet has the cohesive “cool factor” about it.
After moving to LA in 2020 and freelancing various opportunities, I continued to market and grow my business knowing that this is my purpose. Something that makes me unique as a boudoir photographer is that I pose direct my clients the entire time, so they do not have to worry about what to do during our session. I started sharing my favorite poses on TikTok and have gained a following there, which has allowed my business to grow. It’s still a crawl though, not a sprint. However, I am proud of where I am at and I hope to continue growing this upcoming year. I am working on a few special projects such as digital downloads and education resources for other photographers! I am motivated by helping others, and seeing the reaction on each client’s face once they see their edits is priceless! I am very grateful to walk this creative path.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Again, it’s a crawl – not a sprint. As a creative, it’s impossible to escape imposter syndrome or feel like you are never doing enough. A few of my biggest struggles were feeling like I couldn’t balance it all by myself. I have to be my own marketing team, finance team, administrative team, eCommerce team and creative team. For me, posting daily on social media and creating content has been the most grueling. I am learning a lot about how to prioritize my workload and have days (yes, entire days!) dedicated to creating social media content. In this day and age, being talented isn’t enough – we have to be the face of our own business and market our services well. I will admit – it’s hard!
I have come to realize the best thing I can do for my business is take care of myself. The more energy I pour into my well-being, the more energy I have to execute the necessary steps to step into my calling. And more important, to increase my audience so that my art can reach more people!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a Photographer who specializes in Boudoir. However, I also offer product photography, UGC content and couples sessions! I actually shot a few engagements this past year for the first time, too. I am proud to have a style of photography that is versatile.
I am mostly known for Boudoir, and that is certainly what I am the most proud of. I have done several concept shoots for the brand Sorry Dad Co (an erotic art portfolio) and we (the Founder and I) created beautiful photos that I consider to be true art.
Several things set me apart from others. The first and most obvious would be my photography aesthetic. I wanted to change the narrative around Boudoir, which has a history for being taboo and geared toward the heterosexual male gaze. Many still picture boudoir photos to be bright, tacky and overly sexual. My style is artistic, feminine, warm, dark, and edited with a film aesthetic. I believe that the sexiest photos are the ones with subtlety.
Other than my photography style, I also have a vision for every session and I direct my clients on how to pose the entire time. This way, they don’t have to worry about what to do or fear they will look awkward. It creates cohesiveness with my photos and also helps my clients feel very comfortable during our sessions. I love seeing each person come out of their shell and allow their sexy, confident side to be on full display while we’re working together.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
YES! I love this question. I am always looking to learn, grow, and evolve in my spare time. I am inspired by books, podcasts, music and fashion.
As previously stated, taking care of my well-being is the best way to grow my business. A few of my favorite self-development resources are:
Reads:
Untethered Soul – Michael Singer
Untamed – Glennon Doyle
Super Attractor – Gabrielle Bernstein
Podcasts:
The Skinny Confidential Him&Her
We Can Do Hard Things with Glennon Doyle
Resources that inspire me or that have had a positive impact on me:
Reads:
Daisy Jones and the Six – Taylor Jenkins Reid
More Myself – Alicia Keys
Podcasts:
Was That Good For You? by Raya Carmona
Call Her Daddy by Alex Cooper
And lastly, of course, music and meditation have a huge impact on me.
Meditation:
Melissa Wood Health App
Music:
HAIM
The 1975
Julia Wolf
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mckaylaerinedits.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mckaylaerinedits/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@mckaylaerinedits
