A Little About Me
Hi! Welcome to the blog, where I get to share the passion behind Wren & Elm Photography. I promise it’s worth the read, and it may require a couple of tissues if you’re an empathetic crier like me.
First of all, my name is Kayla! I won’t bother you with my last name because it’s complicated and long (if you know, you know). I am a mom to two girls, Elowyn (4) and Wrenly (3), and I have been married to my husband, Mitchel, for nine years.
I have been photographing families, weddings, and babies since 2015! Photography was a fun hobby for most of those years, leading up to 2022, when I decided to pursue it more seriously. Outside of photography, I really enjoy reading, playing video games, hanging out with friends and family, playing with my girls, playing volleyball or basketball, and laughing. I really, really love laughing.
One thing about me is that I am loyal to the core. Relationships are incredibly important to me, and I think that is one of the things that drives my love for photography. Getting to be the person who freezes your memories so you can look back on them for years to come…it’s really something special.
The Meaning Behind Wren & Elm
Wren & Elm, if you couldn’t guess, was inspired by my daughters: Wren for Wrenly and Elm for Elowyn. If you’re confused by “Elm,” I’ll give you a moment to look up the meaning of Elowyn’s name…although I may have just answered that question for you. I love the name because my girls are truly the reason I do this. Kids grow fast, it turns out, and becoming a mom made me realize just how important it is to remember these days. What better way to preserve them than through photographs that can be passed down for generations?
The Woman Who Inspired Me
One of my greatest inspirations, though, is my grandma.
Noma was truly the epitome of the grandma who made everyone take a group photo at every occasion—to the point where it could be a little obnoxious. Sorry, Grandma! But when she passed away and I began flipping through photographs, I realized that having those tangible memories—the ones she cherished and made sure were taken—was a gift I will never forget. The days I spent looking through old photographs for her funeral were some of the hardest but most meaningful days. Those photographs helped me remember moments with her that I hadn’t thought about in a very long time. There were many, many tears, but there were also so many smiles. Those photographs also gave me space to grieve.
On top of that, my grandma was an inspiring woman of faith. I believe she would be so proud of what the business that began as Kay Photography has become. And I pray that I continue to live my life with the kind of faith she had and that It is reflected well through Wren & Elm Photography.
Why I Photograph Weddings
Why do I photograph weddings? There’s a long list, but I’ll start with this: a wedding is the beginning of a legacy, and I LOVE that I get to be a part of it. Not to mention how beautiful wedding days are, and they are just downright FUN!
I photograph weddings because I care deeply about this season of life. I want to make sure you have a way to relive it again and again, and then give your children and their children a way to experience it, too.
Why I Photograph Young Families
Why do I photograph young families? I think the obvious answer is that it’s the season of life I’m in, too, and I know how precious those photographs are to me.
I also know how hard this season can be. When someone can gracefully capture the pure, genuine moments between my children, my husband, and me, it makes me want to cry with joy…sassy glares and all!
Every Season Deserves to Be Remembered
The last thing I want to say is this: every season of life deserves to be remembered, and I love getting to be a part of each one. It is more than an honor to be trusted with such a precious job, and I will never forget that.
