Meet Molly Van Kley | Fashion & Portrait Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Molly Van Kley and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Molly, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
I am very inspired by other creatives. I am especially inspired by bold colors, surrealism, and creative storytelling in photography and paintings.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a fashion and portrait photographer specializing in model tests, editorial fashion, creative portraiture, and- what is currently the meat of my photography business- high school senior portraits. I offer a unique experience for my clients by blending my editorial fashion experience into personalized portraiture.

I went to college to get a degree in photography. It was there, while doing assignments for a ‘location lighting’ class that I discovered my love for bringing elements- like location, models, lighting, fashion, makeup, and posing- together to realize a creative vision.

After school I began collaborating with other rising creatives- working together to build our portfolios. I learned how to work with a team: hair stylists, makeup artists, wardrobe stylists, models. I learned how to build and lead teams around a creative concept and how to communicate that concept through prompts and mood boards.

I honed my skills by just keeping at it. I developed concept after concept, organized dozens of photoshoots, and just kept working. During this time I connected and collaborated with countless creatives all over the world. Before long, I started along a trajectory of getting my work published in small, independent fashion magazines. As I got published more and more frequently, publications began reaching out to me, as well.

While I really enjoy creating editorial work for publication, generating significant income from work like this proved very difficult so I needed to pivot to a more financially sustainable business model. Senior portraiture was a natural fit. The teens I work with are creative and enjoy the collaborative part of my process. We work as a team- building a photoshoot from the ground up. Every photoshoot is different which feeds my need for a creative challenge. I enjoy working to give each client an experience they will remember and images that will be meaningful to them forever.

As my business has grown, I’ve found that creative portraiture feeds what was driving me to editorial fashion in the first place: the concept development, storytelling, the challenge of taking all the pieces (lighting, setting, hair, makeup, wardrobe, model, poses, props, colors) and focusing it all into a final image. I get to express myself creatively and work with interesting people and create memorable 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.
Some of my favorite spots to visit in Atlanta are the botanic gardens for a nice walk, Arabia Mountain or Yonah Mountain for a hike, Krog Street Market for amazing food, and the Masquerade for live music.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many people who have contributed to my successes and support me in my art, but there is one person in particular who gives me never-ending love and encouragement every step of the way and that’s my dad. He even sat with me and helped me navigate my thoughts while writing out my story for this interview. I got my first camera and my love of photography from him. He is my sounding board for my creative and business ideas, my go-to when I need advice or reassurance, and my ceaseless cheerleader. Thank you, Dad!

Website: www.mvkphoto.com

Instagram: @mvk_photo, @mvk_seniors

Facebook: facebook.com/mvkphoto

Other: TikTok: @mvk_photo

Image Credits
All photos, retouching, and wardrobe styling by MVK Photo (me) Hair and makeup artists: Makeup by Amani, Chloe Nault, Brit Nelson Clients/Models: 1- Venus Morris Griffin 2- Savy 3- Annabel 4- Luis 5- Marlo @ Salt Models 6- Tessa 7- Jayden, Ayana, Kaitlyn, Savy, Brooke, Myra 8- Carly