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

Hi Kiara, why did you pursue a creative career?
Honestly, I wouldn’t even say that I chose to pursue it, but I was more so called to it. In every stage of my life, I was always drawn to doing something creative. When I was younger, my cousins and I were very heavily set on music so we’d rap, sing, and record home music videos. My auntie even made our clothes for us. Whatever we wanted, she’d sew it and recorded all our shenanigans. We’d really put on a show and you couldn’t tell us nothing! I guess you could say that was my start to being drawn to creative things, and definitely a start to me being drawn to a camera. In middle school, I somehow got into writing books. I was really out here writing books in middle school! I started this when I was about 12 years old and I don’t really know how and or why I just decided to pick up a pencil and write/ go on my computer and type my little heart away, but I did and I would just let my imagination run free. Then there was a point in time where my stepdad was into photography and he’d take pictures of me and my mom and that really gave me a little excuse to be a model especially since at this time, Americas Next Top Model was one of my favorite shows. Moving on, I then turned into a youtuber and since I had access to a camera but no one to take my pictures, I decided to do it myself and that’s basically snowballed into me being a photographer. No matter what period of life it was, I was always doing something creative.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

Thank you so much & thank you for another opportunity to be featured on the site! A lot of what I know now is because I took the time out to learn it myself whether that be from Youtube, reading books, or being hands on and figuring out how to do things myself. Experience is the best teacher so no matter how much a person may research and learn, there’s nothing like getting out on the field and doing it yourself. Being a creative is never easy and neither is being a one woman show, but that’s what makes it so rewarding. Knowing that I creative directed it, made the backdrop, styled the model, etc and then seeing the finished product is so liberating and rewarding… it’s just an amazing feeling. I’ve worked through creative blocks and ruts when I don’t want to create at all. In life, nothing worth having comes easy, but that’s why you have to really be passionate about what you do/ want to do, really want it and want it for the right reasons because if not, it’s just not going to work.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

Since we’re in the middle of a pandemic, I don’t go anywhere except work and chill at the house and honestly, even before I still didn’t do much of anything. Going to the drive in theatre is one of my favorite things and it’s perfect during a time like this. You can bring whatever food you want and you can chill and be in the comfort of your own car. Another spot is to the arcade whether it’s a bowling alley or an actual arcade like Main Event. There you can go laser tagging, bowling, drink and play arcade games. Now with food and drinking, I’m pretty easy and simple on it but Five Guys, Cook Out is really good & so is Rosie’s Cafe. I didn’t go out to the clubs much and I really don’t even remember the names of some since it’s been so long. A good spot just to chill, drink and listen to good music is Escobar Restaurant and Tapas.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
This is so cliché to say, but I’m truly grateful for everyone around me. Most importantly my parents, Natasha & Aaron because without them, I wouldn’t be anywhere! No matter what I wanted to do, they were always with it and encouraged me. From taking away my electronics to force me into writing my books (yes, they really did that lol), gifting me some equipment to clearing out our barely used office for me to use it as a photography studio, (which I will FOREVER be grateful for) they were always behind me 110%. They really gave me freedom to express myself however I needed to and not ONCE did they ever try to stop me from doing what I really wanted to do. My two favorite cousins in the universe, Ebony and Tamara, for being a big piece of my AMAZING childhood and still here cheering me on and doing life with me. A huge shoutout to my auntie Rilda for recording my childhood and practically opening the door to the creative world for me. She was always right there with us and recording our mess, because Lord knows me and all my cousins were a HOT mess lol. She was with whatever idea we had and was our hype woman for sure! To my clients, old, present and new for booking with me, believing in me and having faith in to me bring their vision to life whether it be a regular shoot, for a special occasion or something for their business.

Website: www.kapturedbykiara.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_kapturedbyki/
Youtube: www.youtube.com/hellokeyy

Image Credits
Models: Kylise Grice, Alonzo Allen, Rebecca Norgaisse, Ronzell Teague Jr., Monique Bailey, Monique Dorcelet

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlana 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.