Kailyn Julianna
Kailyn is one of the kindest, most joyful, and talented people you will ever meet! Her passion for capturing the beauty of the world has led her to a successful business in the photo and video industry, where she runs her own company with her husband. Keep reading for some seriously encouraging and inspiring bits of knowledge. This girl is the real deal!
1. Tell us a bit about yourself!
Hey there! My name is Kailyn, and I’m a spontaneous, nerdy, always-curious twenty-something living in central California! I love writing, music, painting… basically creating art in all its forms. Surprises are my favorite and I’m always down for an adventure or an excuse to celebrate something. I’m a total health nut and I love pursuing wellness in all its forms. We could talk for HOURS about psychology and personality tests (ENFP and enneagram type 2 here) — I just think humans are utterly fascinating!
2. What do you do for work?
My husband Eric and I own a media production company! We produce photography and video content for small businesses and entrepreneurs to help them develop their voice, grow their success, and share their passion with the world. We also shoot a small number of weddings and portrait sessions every year, and we LOVE what we get to do!
3. What inspires you to create?
As the first and foremost Creator, God inspires me above all else. He is the source of my creativity and passion. Before I even understood this, the beauty I saw in the world captivated my heart and gave me a desire to reflect it. As I’ve matured as an artist, I’ve discovered that stories profoundly inspire me to create. All good storytelling mirrors the greatest story ever told — the gospel — and my favorite stories capture a sense of grace, adventure, hope, truth, and redemption. My goal is to communicate that essence through anything I create.
4. What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned as an entrepreneur?
I’ve learned many lessons as an entrepreneur, but one of the biggest ones for me is that investing energy and time into the process of inner personal work is ESSENTIAL to success. The healthier and more whole you become, the more fully you can pour yourself into whatever it is that you’re passionate about. It takes effort to overcome fear and anxiety, and it’s always a risk to put something into the world. The more you can separate yourself from the outcome and surrender control, the easier you can accept constructive criticism or failure. Because those things aren’t negative — they’re positive guides and signposts along the way to a better version of you. So embrace the journey!
5. Favorite bible verse/quote?
The Bible verse that has always stuck with me and that I’ve held onto as a steady rock in different seasons of my life is Psalm 139:23-24. “Search me, oh God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
6. Favorite companies to support and shop from?
I appreciate companies that serve a greater mission and purpose than mere consumerism, ethically, economically, and environmentally. Some of my favorite clothing companies include Patagonia, Slumlove, Bombas, Everlane, and Girlfriend Collective. I enjoy Relevant magazine, which is focused on highlighting stories where faith and culture intersect, and I love Alabaster Co., which is a company focused on pushing the boundaries of creativity and releasing thoughtfully designed books of the Bible integrated with visual imagery. There is so much good happening in the world!
7. What do you do when you are lacking motivation?
When I’m lacking motivation, I try to assess what I’m lacking or longing for deep down and why that is. I believe self-care is important, but that doesn’t mean mere indulgence — sometimes it means doing what you don’t feel like doing because it’s what’s best. So I try to evaluate what I need and go from there — whether that’s going for a run or watching a movie while eating chocolate or having a good cry or just getting to work even if I’m not feeling it (because feelings are always temporary).
8. If you had to move to another country for the rest of your life, which one would you pick and why?
Probably Canada. I LOVE IT THERE. It’s gorgeous and the people are the friendliest and people actually drive calmly. And the accent is charming, eh? But ask me in a few years after I’ve explored more of the world!
9. Who are some people that you admire in your industry?
Jeremy Cowart is one of my all-time inspirations. I love how he seamlessly merges photography and journalism and storytelling. I’m also a big fan of Esther Havens. Their humanitarian work is incredibly powerful.
10. Best piece of advice that you’ve been given?
One of the best pieces of advice I’ve been given is that I am the author of my own story. It’s easy as an artist and an emotional person to live life constantly in response mode, but not as an instigator. We ride tidal waves of emotion and feelings but rarely step back to self-evaluate and realize that we are in control of what we choose to cultivate. The past few years I’ve learned a lot about how to speak the truth to myself and listen to the voice that matters rather than the lies that I once easily believed. It’s so freeing to wake up and tell yourself that it’s going to be a great day no matter what happens, and to embrace gratitude in every moment because true joy is not dependent on circumstance; it’s always alive.
To learn more about Kailyn and her experience as a small business owner, check her out on Instagram!
