You Deserve to Be Seen: A Conversation with Kelly Kendall
There’s something magnetic about meeting someone who just gets you. Kelly Kendall and I have more in common than photography—we both grew up on dairy farms, found our way into creative careers, and now use our cameras to do something deeper: help women feel seen.
In this episode, Kelly shares how her journey took her from 4-H in Minnesota to running her own photography studio in Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin. But it’s not just about location—it’s about transformation.
The Hidden Struggle Behind the Camera
Even as a photographer, Kelly admitted she didn’t feel comfortable being in front of the camera. Like so many women, she learned to pick herself apart in photos—zooming in on the things no one else would ever notice.
“I thought I just wasn’t photogenic,” she said.
But what she learned? That wasn’t true at all.
Kelly began to realize that her sessions were becoming more than photo shoots—they were experiences of reflection and self-acceptance. She even said they sometimes felt like mini therapy sessions.
It wasn’t about capturing a perfect image—it was about capturing a feeling. A spark. A story.
To face her own discomfort, Kelly turned to hypnotherapy. Through this deeply personal work, she was able to revisit childhood pain, old stories, and begin rewriting them.
“I gave myself the photo session I needed,” she said.
“No retouching. No Photoshop. Just me. And I loved them.”
That moment marked a huge shift in how she saw herself—and how she wanted others to see themselves too.
The Sacred Power of Portraiture for Women Over 40
One of Kelly’s dreams is to launch an “Over 40” portrait project—celebrating the real, radiant stories of women who’ve lived, lost, loved, started over, and claimed their worth.
We’re not just preserving their faces. We’re preserving their legacies.
Because as she beautifully said,
“Life doesn’t end at 40. In many ways, it begins.”
You Are Loved. You Are Worthy. You Matter.
The conversation closed with what felt like a universal truth—and a loving reminder to anyone who needs it:
You don’t need to earn your worth. You already have it.
You deserve to be seen, photographed, celebrated, and remembered.
Connect with Kelly at https://www.kellykendallstudios.com/
Ready to Step Into the Frame?
If this episode spoke to your heart and you’re ready to experience what it feels like to be seen—really seen—I would be honored to photograph you.
Whether it’s a portrait session to celebrate your journey, a branding shoot to show the world who you truly are, or you’re curious about my “Heart and Soul Portrait Sessions”, I’m here to hold space for you.
💌 Click here to connect with me and book your session.
✨ Let’s celebrate your story—the one you’ve lived and the one you’re still writing.
Because it’s never too late to be seen.
Follow Along
Subscribe to my podcast Unwritten, where we talk to people—especially those over 40—who’ve made bold changes and embraced their most authentic lives.
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