In Focus | Kayla Hughes

Meet Kayla Hughes. This photographer and graphic designer was born and raised in Prince George!

Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
How can I choose just one! My partner Chris is probably the top contender because he is the perfect mix of stability and adventure and motivates me to push my business as far as it can go. My favorite times with him are going for long hikes up mountains

What is your favourite local store in Prince George and why?
Hands down, Homework. The staff are always so pleasant when I go in (which is pretty often).

Describe yourself in one word.
Creative.

If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
Ireland. I love the idea of getting lost in the lush hills and stumbling across a castle. Also, who doesn’t like Guinness and Irish accents?

What is your favourite activity in Prince George?
Going exploring and finding new hikes and trails around the area.

What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
Going to photography workshops around the province and seeing how others are capturing moments and their perspective on things. Watching other photographers work makes me so inspired to get behind the lens and start creating.

Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
Going on road trips with my family and scream-singing to classic 70s and 80s music. Did I mention we had an air band? I was the drums.

Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
For the past three, years I have donated a percentage from each shoot in the month of December to give back to different local charities and organizations. I think around the holidays especially is a time where a little extra money can go a long way to those in need.

If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
More positivity and less screen time.

Where would you sneak away to in Prince George to spend some time alone?
Forest for the World with my running shoes and my music.

Where would you like to see positive change in Prince George and why?
Population and activity growth. Prince George is a great place to raise your family, and people are noticing that. I think we just need to have some more activities to do with your family.

What do you think makes Prince George great?
The people, and the outdoors.

What are 3 things on your bucket list?
1. Travel to Thailand
2. Indoor Skydiving (...because I'm too chicken for the real deal)
3. Stay in an overwater bungalow

Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
My family is from a beautiful place called Malta, which I got to go live there for a month after high school.

How do people connect with you, personally, through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.)
Instagram and Facebook.

What is the name of your business/organization?
Kreative Eye Studios.

Why did you get into/start this business?
I wanted to create memories for people to look back on.

What is the goal of your business?
My goal was to always be creating timeless memories for families and couples. Though that is still my goal, I want to create genuine emotion for people to look back on. I want to capture peoples souls on camera, I no longer want the posed group shots.

What has been your biggest struggle either in work or life?
Comparison. In both work and life, I've learned that you have to stop looking at what everyone else is doing and to focus on yourself. Once you start doing that, you will rise above in your own way and show people who you really are.

If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
I would do things the exact same. I went through trial and errors to get to be the photographer I am today- if I didn't have those, I would be someone completely different, and I like who I am and what I'm creating now so I definitely don't want that.

What do you always find yourself saying?
"I don't remember" - I have the worst memory... Which is why I write everything down in multiple places.

Tell us your best piece of life advice
The only thing getting in your way is you! Tell yourself to move out of the way and keep doing what you want to do.

If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
My family. I think it is incredibly important to be around your loved ones and be grateful for having them alive and well.

Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
To support local artists and entrepreneurs.

What has been your proudest accomplishment?
To graduate college with honours, have a full-time job as a graphic designer in the north and run a successful photography and freelance company all by the age of 25.

Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
Chris Clark, he is my #1 fan and supports me in all my craziness, and now it's my turn to do the same as he embarks on his own local startup (Northern Baseball Training) helping the youth baseball scene in PG.

My choice for the PrinceGeorgeNow In Focus spotlight is:
Northern Baseball Training (Chris Clark, Brandon Hunter & Doug Clark)

Some general comments I would like to share are:
I am truly grateful for the love and support I have got from the Prince George community and even surrounding areas! I feel the last three years I have really found my niche in creating genuine emotion in my photos and giving something special to my clients that keeps them wanting to rebook with me. Without my follower's engagement on my posts on social media I wouldn't be the photographer I am today, so I thank you all for that!

We encourage you to leave your comments and words of support below and submit your own nomination by clicking HERE. You are also welcome to submit a form of your own by clicking HERE.

In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition of the people, businesses, and organizations that help make our city great. Thank you, Prince George!