Check Out Kayla Holdgreve’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kayla Holdgreve.

Hi Kayla, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in northwest Ohio (Lima). I was always interested in the arts and knew I wanted to pursue a creative field but wasn’t sure what that was or could look like. I had interested in interior design, fashion, even tried to start a band in middle school (I was more interested in designing the band flyers than playing guitar.) But nothing ever clicked or kept my interest for long. I was very fortunate enough to have attended Lima Senior High where the arts was a huge focus and extremely encouraged. When I was a junior in high school, my teacher and mentor, Sally Windle, taught a special after school photography project. She invited local photographer Phil Hugo to lead the project where we documented the fading advertisements painted on the buildings throughout our downtown. We learned photographic techniques and visited the local museum archives to research the history of the advertisements and buildings. It was this combination of photographic documentation and research that really sparked my interest and I knew I found my passion and path. 
I attended Columbus College of Art and Design for my bachelors in photography, focusing on traditional and alternative photography, along with commercial photography. After undergrad, I worked in commercial fashion studios as a product and lifestyle photographer. Working both commercially and traditionally helped refine my technical skills and allowed me to support myself while building up some of my fine art bodies of work. I then attended Ohio University for graduate school where I was able to focus more on my work as a practicing artist. After grad school, I continued to freelance as well as worked in the service industry to continue to help support and build up my practice. I currently spend my time between Ohio and the San Francisco Bay Area, working as a freelance photographer, archivist and exhibiting artist.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There are always challenges to trying to be a full time artist. The one I struggle with the most is having a steady income to be able to live and support making the work. I found that having jobs in the service industry, pet sitting and other “unconventional” jobs give me the flexibility to have a steady income and scheduled time to make work. It’s different for everyone and it’s about finding what works best for you in your current situation because that always ebbs and flows. At the end of the day, I think it’s about what will best support me and my art practice.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a photographer that specializes in traditional and alternative processes. I typically shoot with medium and large format film cameras, new and expired films, and I print using various alternative techniques such as cyanotype and anthotypes. One of the main themes in my work is memory and how it can be connected to the landscape. I love to experiment with printing using natural materials like dirt and ash that I collect from specific locations. I also work an archivist – I love to help people organize and digitize their family’s photographs as well as help artists create and maintain their own archive of their work. I am also currently working on two projects – the first is making my MFA thesis exhibition – a bushel and a peck – into a photobook accompanied by my writing. The second is a self published book entitled A Love Letter to Ohio that showcases over a decade of work made in and about Ohio. Publishing date for bushel and a peck is TBD, A Love Letter To Ohio is planned to be released Summer 2027.
The thing I’m most proud of is that over the last 18 years, I’ve been able to make a living from my photography and continue to practice and make work. Although what that looks like does ebb and flows, I’ve made it a priority in my life to be an artist and for that I am very grateful and proud of myself.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
There are a few that come to mind, but the big one for me is it’s about who you know. I’m where I am at today with hard work and dedication, but a big part of that comes from the connections and support of others. I think networking any chance you get is important because you never know who might need a service you offer or could help you further your goals. That also includes community – it’s so important to build and support your community. We’re all trying to figure it out and survive, let’s help each other out where we can!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kaylaholdgreve.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaylasuzanne