Meet Kendra Swalls | Portrait Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kendra Swalls and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kendra, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Honestly, I didn’t give it much thought at first. I was working as a full-time teacher and wanted something creative and fun that would also allow me to make extra money during my breaks. Photography had always been an interest of mine so I naively thought it would be an “easy” business idea. That naivety probably saved me because had I known what building a business really entailed I might not have ever started.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve always been drawn to the art of storytelling—turning real moments into images that feel authentic, warm, and full of personality. That’s exactly what drives Paisley Layne Photography. My passion lies in creating a fun and comfortable experience for anyone stepping in front of my camera—whether they need a headshot that truly represents who they are or a personal branding session that captures the heart of their business.

Getting to where I am today has definitely been a roller coaster. I started my photography journey while juggling a full-time teaching job, and eventually decided to take the leap into running my own business. It wasn’t always easy—I had to learn marketing, handle finances, and balance family life, all while perfecting my craft. But every challenge taught me something new, from how to better connect with my clients to how to confidently trust my own vision. Now, my focus is on celebrating each person’s uniqueness. I want everyone to feel seen and heard, and I believe that a good photo session can do just that. When you look at my work, I hope you see genuine connections, authenticity, and a little bit of fun—because that’s who I am, and that’s what Paisley Layne Photography is all about.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
One of the things I love about living in the DFW area is the wide variety of things to see and do. I feel like there is something for everyone. If my best friend was visiting for a week I would probably start by showing her the main attractions first. We would head to the Ft Worth Stockyards for some delicious BBQ, watch the cattle drive, shop in the western stores and then check out the rodeo. The next day we would head to the Dallas side of the metroplex to stroll through the Farmer’s Market, grab a beer in Deep Ellum and then do some people-watching and eat at the food trucks in Klyde Warren Park. The rest of the week I would spend checking out some of the lesser-known spots such as the many wineries and whiskey distilleries. And of course, because I live in the Justin area, we would have to buy some cowboy boots at the Justin Boot store before the week is done!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have a lot of people that I would love to say ‘thank you’ to but my biggest supporter has always been my husband, Derek. He bought me my first DSLR camera and when I was 6 months pregnant, working full-time and told him I wanted to start a business, he supported me the whole way. He has always cheered me on and encouraged me to chase my wild dreams.

Website: https://www.paisleylaynephotography.com

Instagram: https://Instagram.com/paisleylaynephotography