Rising Stars: Meet Kaiya Maye of Los Angeles, California

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaiya Maye.

Kaiya, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I actually started photography as a hobby. When I was younger, my family and I took a lot of road trips, and on one trip from California to Florida, I had my little iPod Touch and spent the entire drive capturing anything that caught my eye—buildings, nature, people, random signs, etc. When I showed my family the photos, they told me I had a great eye, and that really stuck with me. Not long after, my stepmom gave me her old camera from when she used to do photography, and that was the first time I got to shoot with an actual camera. From there, I just kept taking photos and learning more as my curiosity and love for creating grew.

By high school, photography became more intentional. I joined the school news media team and focused on covering sports. That experience gave me hands-on exposure to both photography and videography, helping me refine my technical skills and understanding of the art behind the craft. Around that time, I got into YouTube. I made a few videos—not publicly—but loved sharing them with my mom. She could see how passionate I was about capturing stories through photos and videos, and that Christmas she surprised me with a Canon T5i, which really helped me continue developing my creative journey.

When I went to Nevada State University as a business major, photography took a bit of a back seat. But even though I was focused on my studies, it was always on my mind. I always knew that my business studies would eventually help me manage the business side of my photography career.

After graduating in 2023, I finally felt ready to take photography seriously. That summer, I moved back to California, and everything shifted. Around that time, I saw that Ball Dawgs, a popular basketball media company based in Las Vegas known for showcasing talent, had posted about the Veniceball championship game. Veniceball, or Legendary Hoopers Paradise, is a basketball league in Venice, California, that brings together local talent and competitive play, and I thought it would be an amazing opportunity to step out of my comfort zone.

I remember telling myself, “What’s the worst that could happen?” I grabbed my Canon EOS Rebel T5i and went alone to the championship game. It was my first time showing up as an adult, on my own, with the intention of trying something new, and I was honestly a little nervous. But as soon as I got there, I was welcomed by the community. I met other photographers, players, and creatives who made me feel included right away.

After the game, I edited and posted my photos, and the response was not what I expected. Players were messaging me, reposting their shots, and asking for their photos. That experience was a turning point—it motivated me to keep going and see where my journey would take me.

From there, opportunities kept unfolding. The players invited me to shoot at The League (Season 2) in LA, whose motto is “Where sports, culture, fashion, and community collide,” and it’s exactly that. I ended up interning with them, networking, and meeting all kinds of people: athletes, actors, artists, designers—you name it. Those experiences not only helped me grow my skills but also opened the door to more professional opportunities and a steady stream of new clients.

I also had the privilege of learning from an incredible photographer, Devyn Billingsley, who made a lasting impact on me. When we met at The League, she trusted me enough to let me borrow her camera for multiple nights while we were both capturing the basketball games. That meant the world to me—it gave me the freedom to experiment, take risks, and discover my own style without fear of making mistakes. Beyond the camera, she guided me with patience, encouragement, and genuine belief in my potential. Moments like that reminded me how supportive the creative community can be and how important it is to pour into others the same way she poured into me.

As I progressed, I wanted my work to reflect the level I was reaching, so I upgraded from my Canon T5i to a Sony A7IV—a big milestone. My grandma gifted me the Sony because she was so impressed by my growth and professional focus after graduating college. That upgrade wasn’t just about better image quality; it was a commitment to leveling up.

Since then, I’ve been fortunate to grow my business, take on exciting projects, and continue refining my craft. I’m still learning, still building, and still incredibly excited for what’s ahead.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One of the biggest challenges early on was comparison. With social media, you’re constantly seeing amazing photographers, big gigs, and flawless images, and it’s easy to feel like you’re falling behind. I had moments where I questioned my style, my gear, and even my place in the photography world because I was measuring myself against people with years of experience.

Another hurdle was balancing the creative side with the business side. At first, I didn’t fully understand pricing, contracts, or how to set boundaries with clients. There were times I undercharged, overworked, or stayed silent because I was still learning how to advocate for myself professionally.

Financial stability was also tough. Some months had more clients than others, making it tricky to meet income goals consistently. Photography gear is expensive, and building a clientele from scratch doesn’t happen overnight. I had to learn to be patient and have faith when things felt uncertain.

But every obstacle taught me something valuable. They pushed me to grow mentally, creatively, and professionally. I’ve learned to stay in my own lane, trust my journey, and improve at my own pace. Like most creatives, I’ve faced a lot of trial and error and still do but looking back, every challenge has shaped the photographer and person I am today.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m based in Los Angeles, California, and I specialize in sports photography, though I’ve also expanded into events and portraits. I love capturing moments that tell a story whether it’s the intensity of a game, the emotion of an event, or the personality of a portrait.

What sets me apart is how I connect with my clients. I focus on building genuine relationships and creating a relaxed, positive environment. When clients feel at ease or like they’ve known you forever, their most authentic and expressive moments naturally come through, making every shoot feel unique and meaningful.

Honestly, I’m most proud of staying committed to this journey, even during times I wanted to give up. Every project, big or small, has been an opportunity to grow, challenge myself, and refine my craft. That persistence pushing through challenges and continually improving has truly shaped the work I create today.

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
People can work with me in a few ways. I shoot sports, events, and portraits, and you can book a session by sending me a DM on Instagram or email so we can chat about how to bring your vision to life. Beyond that, I’m open to working and collabing with brands, athletes, or other creatives on projects that are meaningful, fun, and impactful.

If someone wants to support my work, the best way is by following my journey, sharing my content, or referring me to friends and colleagues. Every like, share, and referral helps me continue doing what I love and growing my business. My Instagram is Kai.maye_

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kai.maye_?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Image Credits
1. Jordan Christopher Reginald Hill
2. Tarek Reed
3. Devyn Billingsley