Today we’d like to introduce you to Stayce Koegler.
Hi Stayce, 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?
Growing up, I think my friends would say I was always the kid with the camera, but I believe it really started with my Mom. She never went anywhere without her camera and always made sure I had the latest and greatest – whether a new film camera or my favorite – the disc camera. She was a single Mom, we didn’t have a lot but we ALWAYS had film.
I would photograph anyone that let me. I still have prints from 4th grade photoshoots in front of our lockers, 8th grade sleepover parties complete with homemade backdrops and instead of attending college I chose to document my travels as a Purser with Carnival Cruise Lines.
Eventually, I settled on land – my husband and I were married in 2004 and in 2005 we welcomed a beautiful baby girl, she was my muse – but the point and shoot camera we had simply wouldn’t do.
After enough complaining, my husband rallied my entire family to contribute and gifted me my first DSLR. I spent a day dissecting the manual and signed up for all the Redondo Beach community classes we could afford. It was my creative outlet and it lit a fire inside me every time the shutter clicked. I still feel that way today. In 2009 our sweet son was born and my husband and I longed to be closer to family so we packed up and moved from Los Angeles to Savannah where I immediately launched my small business Stayce Koegler Photography.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I think the biggest struggle for me was making the transition from a hobby to a business. My Father in Law kept telling me “You can’t have both” and would giggle when I told him I was running a “Bobby.”
I think it’s so important to love what you do and do what you love. I was concerned making the transition to a business would only make it a “job” but my Father in Law finally convinced me and held my hand every step of the way while making the transition.
My family is my biggest supporter – every one of them cheering me on and encouraging me to keep going. It’s because of them that I genuinely love what I do – it’s not a “job” it’s a passion.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am the owner of Stayce Koegler Photography and recently expanded my business into Cyanotype designs. I most enjoy working with Families and High School Seniors. My sessions are on location and I encourage my clients to choose a location that is meaningful to them. Whether their own backyard or a unique spot around Savannah – it’s important to me that my clients enjoy their images AND the process of making them.
I am proud of being a self taught photographer. I don’t mind breaking the rules and believe a meaningful connection in a photograph can easily set it apart. The way a mother looks at her children or how you can see genuine love in the eyes of partners stops me in my tracks every time.
I’m definitely an over shooter – but I will shoot until I capture that emotion and know exactly when I do.
During quarantine in March 2020, I nearly went coo coo without a creative outlet. I could only photograph my children so much and when they got tired of me I immersed myself in all things Cyanotype. Cyanotype is a photographic process that goes back to the 20th century – using the sun to create a photographic blueprint. I turned our garage into a darkroom – started sharing my projects on Instagram and eventually began selling my prints. A dear friend of mine suggested I look into other products that I could put my designs on and it just grew from there. I recently participated in my first Craft Show where I sold a selection of tabletop and paper products. My best sellers are the cutting boards and bottle chillers.
Contact Info:
- Email: Stayce@staycekoegler.com
- Website: www.staycekoegler.com
- Instagram: @staycekoeglerphotography | @_skpdesigns_
- Facebook: @staycekoeglerphotography
