Meet Kacey Gilpin | Interiors Photographer and Publicist

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

Hi Kacey, we’d love to start by asking you about lessons learned. Is there a lesson you can share with us?
Let yourself evolve. I always joke that I started a photography business by accident. I was between teaching jobs and had babies at home, so I started taking family and newborn photos for fun, charging $50. Unbeknownst to be, I was laying a foundation for a full-blown photography career. I never returned to teaching and my photography hobby morphed into part or full- time work shooting interiors, architecture, and lifestyle over the next seven years. While there was never an intentional thought process of going full-time into this business, I allowed my work, equipment, process and mindset to evolve. Today I am providing as a single mom of four and loving what I do everyday.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Being able to grow and evolve is perhaps the biggest thing I value both personally and professionally. It’s not only necessary in order to love what you do, but it’s required in order to keep your business relevant and thriving. So, when my interiors clients began receiving press for their incredible work, I tasked myself with learning how to become a photographer and publicist hybrid. Pitching projects not only gained me some credibility, but it bolstered my clients’ business. Figuring out how and who to pitch to was elusive, and seems to be a closed door policy type of expertise. I decided to take a course from publicist and coach, Alexandria Abramian, an editor and founder of the PR Collective. With her, my skills grew and my doors were opened in ways they hadn’t been before. As my network and experience began to grow, I decided that I was poised not only photograph projects, but provide PR to my clients as well.  I’ve positioned myself to become a photographer + publicist hybrid, serving my clients long after the gallery is wrapped and helping them receive press for their incredible work!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Tulsa is surprisingly interesting to outsiders, while still maintaining it’s small-town charm. I love to cook and host in my own home, but beyond that, food, coffee, and our green spaces would be prioritized! The Gathering Place would be a top destination for walks and exploration of Tulsa’s riverside landscape. A stop at Foolish Things Coffee Co for an americano, a Queenie’s lunch at Utica Square, fine dining at Amelia’s Woodfire Cuisine, and a cozy glass of wine for Jazz night at Hodge’s bend would round out food and drink experiences. And in true gals’ week fashion, pedicures at Sweet Mia natural nail bar would be absolutely essential.

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 would like to dedicate my shoutout to Bailey Austin Design. Seven years ago I was freshly in business photographing families and newborns when my friend, Bailey Austin (then an co-owner an architect of Austin Bean Design), asked me to consider learning how to photograph interiors for her. The idea was immediately exciting, but I had no idea how to do it. She showed me the ropes, gave me feedback, and hired me for my first ever interiors shoots. I learned, I evolved, and I grew. She’s still one of my very valued and loved clients today, but because of her, I have many more clients that sustain my business and my family. Her validation led to many more opportunities, shoots, publications, and celebrations!

Website: www.kaceygilpin.com and www.strathouse.co

Instagram: @kaceygilpin @strathouse.co

Image Credits
Photos of me taken by Sarah Baker Photos, photos of interiors taken by Kacey Gilpin.