We recently had the chance to connect with Kelly Loeffler and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Kelly, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? Who are you learning from right now?
I love to continue my education.
I am currently learning more about commercial photography. I also try and attend virtual conferences on marketing and advertising. As well as learning about AI and how its shaping our future and how I can stay up to date on technology
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi Im Kelly the photographer and owner behind K Schulz Photography. I have been a photographer for over 15 years now and have been doing primarily pet photography for the past 10 years
I started in photography right out of art school after getting my BFA. I started doing newborn and wedding photography, after moving and volunteering at local shelters to help with adoption profile photos, I fell in love with photographing pets and the rest is history.
I have 6 babies of my own, two cats two dogs and two human kids
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
The people who taught me the most about work were my parents. From a young age, I watched them both model a strong work ethic—showing me that success doesn’t come without dedication and persistence. But what stood out the most, especially from my mom, was her ability to balance that drive with being fully present as a parent. She showed me that it’s possible to work hard while still making time for family, and that balance has shaped how I approach my own business today. Their example inspires me every day to not only pour my heart into my work but also to stay grounded in the moments that matter most.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear that has held me back the most is the fear of failing. I’ve always had a tendency to hesitate before committing to something unless I felt confident it would succeed. That need for certainty sometimes made it hard to take risks, even when opportunities were right in front of me. Over time though, especially running my own business, I’ve learned that growth often comes through trial and error—and that failure isn’t final, it’s part of the process. Shifting my mindset to see failure as a teacher instead of a setback has been one of the most valuable lessons for me.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What truths are so foundational in your life that you rarely articulate them?
One of the core truths I live by is the importance of staying true to my values. For me, that means believing that everyone deserves the freedom to love who they want, to speak openly about what they believe in, and to have access to life-saving care. These are things I feel so deeply about that I don’t often put them into words—they’re just part of how I move through the world and how I interact with people. They guide my choices in business and in life, even if I’m not consciously talking about them every day.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I don’t know if this is exactly what I was ‘born to do,’ but I know without a doubt it isn’t something I was ever told to do. Becoming a photographer—specifically a pet photographer—was a path I discovered on my own, and it feels like a calling. I love what I do, and I can’t imagine myself in another career. It combines my creativity with my love for animals and people, and that makes it feel less like a job and more like a purpose.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kschulzphotography.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/kschulzphotography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KSchulzPhotography/
Image Credits
All photos by myself K Schulz Photography
