At Rooted Relations, our From Soil to Soul features celebrate the people and businesses who keep rural traditions alive while bringing fresh creativity to their communities. This week, we’re honored to highlight Rockin K Photography, a business built on childhood dreams, a love for western life, and the courage to start from scratch.

A Passion Born Young

For Kaila, the woman behind Rockin K Photography, capturing moments has never just been about a hobby—it’s been a lifelong obsession. From the time she was young, she found herself drawn to documenting the world around her, freezing the beauty of simple moments into lasting memories.

That spark was fueled into something more when her parents gifted her a camera for her 21st birthday. What may have seemed like just a thoughtful present quickly became the foundation of a career. With that camera in hand, Kaila began turning her passion into a profession, giving life to what would become Rockin K Photography.

The Style: Natural Light & Western Life

Rockin K isn’t your typical photography business—it has a soul rooted deeply in the western way of life. Kaila specializes in natural light western lifestyle photography, or as she fondly calls them, pasture pictures.

Her sessions capture more than poses and smiles; they capture authenticity. Dusty boots, sunlit pastures, galloping horses, quiet embraces, and the unpolished beauty of rural life. Her niche is particularly special because she isn’t just photographing clients with horses—she’s photographing from the perspective of a horsewoman herself.

Why Rockin K Stands Out

What sets Rockin K apart isn’t just technical skill or a good camera. It’s understanding. As a lifelong horse girl, Kaila knows firsthand the bond between a rider and their horse. That knowledge gives her an eye for detail—like the tilt of an ear, the subtle hand on a rein, or the way sunlight outlines both horse and human in a single frame.

Her clients aren’t just hiring a photographer; they’re hiring someone who lives the lifestyle she photographs. That authenticity is her magic.

The Rewards of the Work

Kaila admits that one of the simplest yet most rewarding parts of her work is seeing her photos make their way into her clients’ everyday lives. Whether it’s a portrait printed large and proudly hung in a living room, or a profile picture update on social media, she treasures the thought that her work becomes part of people’s stories.

“Even when my clients change their profile picture,” she says, “something so little makes me so happy.” It’s in those small victories that her big passion shines.

The Challenges of Starting Fresh

Of course, no dream comes without its challenges. Building a photography business in an area full of talented photographers meant Kaila had to fight for her place. Starting from scratch wasn’t easy—there were no shortcuts, only word-of-mouth, consistency, and staying true to her own vision.

The challenge of growing a clientele in a competitive market has tested her patience, but it’s also made her resilient. She’s proven that there’s space for her unique niche and storytelling style, and slowly but surely, Rockin K has become a name people trust.

A Message of Hope

When asked what message she wants readers to take away from her journey, Kaila doesn’t hesitate.
**“Don’t give up on your childhood dreams.”**
It’s a reminder that even in a competitive world, even when the odds are stacked against you, there’s room to carve out a path that’s true to who you are.

Rooted in Agriculture

Rockin K Photography is more than a business—it’s a reflection of Kaila’s own roots. She grew up in the agriculture world, riding horses, showing livestock, and being involved in both 4-H and FFA. Those experiences didn’t just teach her responsibility; they shaped her perspective.

Through her photography, she merges those two worlds: agriculture and art. Every session is a chance to showcase rural life and western culture in a way that honors the hard work, tradition, and pride of the people living it.

Looking to the Future

When it comes to her future, Kaila’s dreams are both ambitious and humble. She doesn’t envision herself chasing fame or chasing trends—her goal is to keep living the life she imagined as a little girl: being a wife, a mom, and a photographer.

Those three roles aren’t separate to her; they’re all part of the same dream. Photography isn’t just a job—it’s part of the life she’s building, a way to provide for her family while pursuing her creative calling.