Today we’d like to introduce you to Kira Miller.
Hi Kira, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Sure, I’d be happy to!
I have always loved photography. Although I often took pictures for family and friends, I always felt like photography was more of a hobby and not something I could pursue professionally. I got my degree in psychology and was passionate about the work I was doing in the mental health field. After my second child was born, I needed something that had a more flexible schedule and was less emotionally taxing. A part of me mourned leaving counseling, and it was important to me that whatever I did next was something that lit a fire in me.
With a ton of doubt, a little hope, and just enough confidence, I decided to take a leap and turn my lifelong hobby into a business. In the fall of 2014, Photo Affect Photography was created. I started shooting any portraits I could book and soon figured out what worked and–just as importantly–what didn’t. Now I mostly take pictures of families, and I know that this is where I belong.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I don’t think anyone who starts any kind of business has a completely smooth road. Starting out, I definitely had imposter syndrome. I didn’t feel qualified and wondered if anyone would actually hire me. I looked at other photographers who were extremely talented and doubted myself plenty. I quickly found that I didn’t love staged newborn sessions, nor did I have the drive to be a wedding photographer. For a time, that was discouraging as I had held the false belief that a good photographer excels in every aspect.
There was also a learning curve in being a small business owner. I felt like I was a good photographer but knew nothing about starting or owning a business and all that entails! I started Photo Affect Photography just slightly before business marketing took off on social media platforms. When Instagram became popular for businesses, I found myself doubting it yet again. I didn’t have 10,000+ followers, and I worried that not having those followers was some sort of reflection on my abilities. I have gradually gained confidence and found my niche, but it wasn’t always clear.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a Tri Cities, Washington based portrait photographer. I have a soft spot for family portraits, but I also love photographing graduates and couples. I’ve been a photographer for 10 years and it fills my soul in inexpressible ways. My photography style is natural, fun, and sincere. I strive to capture genuine emotion and to create beautiful, timeless photographs for people to enjoy for years to come. I believe that relationships change over time and that it’s important for them to be captured in all the various seasons of life. Each season is truly beautiful, and I find joy capturing them through my camera.
I think what sets me apart or what I’m the most proud of are intertwined. In an industry overflowing with incredible talent and breathtaking portfolios, it’s easy to fall into the trap of creative mimicry—trying to recreate someone else’s lighting, editing, or posing just because it’s trending.
What I am most proud of is my decision to stop looking at what everyone else is doing and start leaning into my own skin. Choosing to embrace my own unique strengths and style wasn’t just a personal milestone; it was a business breakthrough. By leaning into my authentic self, it gives my clients permission to do the same. They don’t feel like they’re performing for a stranger; they feel like they’re hanging out with a friend.
People look best when they feel seen, not staged. Because I’m not trying to force a session into a specific trendy mold, I can focus entirely on the energy, personalities, and connections of the people in front of my lens.
Knowing my specific talents allows me to serve my clients with more clarity. I’m offering a unique experience that they can’t get from someone trying to be someone else.
Ultimately, I’m proud that my work doesn’t just look like a photograph—it feels like the people in it. By being unapologetically myself, I create a space where my clients feel safe enough to love not only their photos, but themselves in their photos..
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I capture otherwise forgotten days in my client’s lives. I don’t photograph births, weddings, or big important ceremonies. I photograph families on the same day that they may have had soccer practice, dentist appointments, play dates, or any of the other daily activities that compose our lives. I think that makes this work even more significant. I photograph families on any average evening. These simple, seemingly mundane days for families can seem to blur together. Amongst that chaos, I get the opportunity to give families frozen, meaningful glimpses of what matters most. And that is an honor that I don’t take lightly and keeps me going.
If you are a creative just getting started in your business, reach out to others in your field. I’ve found that 95% of the time, people are willing to help and are all about community over competition. You don’t have to do it all on your own. Focus on your strengths instead of comparing yourself to others.
Building a business takes time, so give yourself grace if it isn’t going as smoothly or quickly as you’d hoped.
Pricing:
- $350 30 minute sessions
- $400 60 minute sessions for seniors/couples
- $450 and up for 60-90 minutes
Contact Info:
- Website: https://photoaffect.net/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/photo.affect.photography/?hl=en
