We had the good fortune of connecting with Kayla Zimmerman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kayla, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
As with many things the last few years, COVID was the final factor leading me to take the leap of faith to finally starting my own business. I was working for Coca-Cola at the time, and although I loved the Corporate America world , I was also juggling being a new mother. The uncertainties of COVID and the demands of Coca-Cola were not aligning with what I thought was keeping my family safe at the time. I gave my resignation and started working with a branding client the very next day. I have not turned back since ! Starting my own business was the best decision I’ve ever made. I can be my own boss, make my own schedule, and be the mother I’ve always dreamed of to our growing family.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I truly believe this leap of faith happened at just the right time in my life. I married my best-friend, after years of heartbreak, testing relationships and at times giving up to just focus on my career. We have two amazing children, after infertility struggles, many tears happy and sad, trying times and days of pure joy. I feel through my own experiences, what sets me apart is being able to relate to others special moments, all of them ! From the perfect wedding day to the Fresh 48 hospital pictures when you’re holding your baby in those first few days, to celebrating the milestone of a 1st birthday and all the goofy candid moments in between. I take pride in being a natural connector, it’s my best quality. Everything else , I’ve had to completely learn on my own. Being self taught has been a huge challenge , mainly in my own frustrations of knowing what I want my work to look like and being so close to achieving it, yet feeling so far away. In this industry, I have felt at times I have to keep up with the jones but then I remember art can be anything . It’s what I see, how I feel in that moment and the story it tells when that moment becomes a memory. There is nothing better than the full circle moment when I see my clients reactions to the galleries I deliver to them, full of their smiles, laughter and all the people they love most.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Being an Atlanta native, this list could go on and on. My first stop would be the North Georgia wineries. The views are breathtaking, the wine is tasteful and the over all experience is relaxing. I would then make a stop to our new Truist park for a Braves game. Although growing up, we lived for the blue lot tailgating , the Battery is an all day event starting with pizza at Anticos , drinks at Live and ending the night after a Braves win with music on the lawn. A personal favorite dinner spot we like to sneak off to is Sugo in Johns Creek for yummy wine and food that never disappoints. If we really aim for a good time, date nights always consist of a comedy show in Atlanta or concert in Alpharetta.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Without a shadow of a doubt, my journey as a professional photographer was made possible because of my amazing husband, Zach. The goal was to always own my own business one day, but we had no intension of doing it at the time of life we did. We were new parents to a three month old , COVID just started closing everything down, weddings were being postponed, families were nervous to even do outdoor sessions- and here I was quitting a steady income job and starting my business. The unconditional support he gave me not only through the obvious encouragement , but the financial stability during such an uncertain time is something I’ll be forever grateful for. I never had any doubts of owning my own business , because I would be doing something I loved, it was just the getting started part, the unknowns, that was scary. He made it all possible and for that it’s not just my business, but our business. Something we started together, we celebrate together and we admire together. He is my truly my partner in life. He gifted me my first professional class snd even took it with me for fun … And it certainly helps that he is the technology brain behind all things KB Zimm Photography because without his backend talent, I would not be as savy as I should be.

Although several things have paved my craft along the way, I would be remiss if I did not mention my family and friends who have seen my passion go from a hobby to a business. I could never put into words how forever appreciative I’ll be for them remain by my side as I make my dreams a reality.

Website: www.kbzimmphotography.com

Instagram: @kbzimmphotography

Image Credits
KB Zimm Photography Carly Laine Photography

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlanta is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.