HOW BY KYLIE MANSFIELD CAME TO BE
Art was always part of me. Photography, on the other hand, was an unexpected discovery. Over time, I realized I couldn’t let go of either, and that maybe I didn’t have to. Here's how I ended up building a career that includes both.
The First Nudge: Discovering a Love for Creating
Even before I could read, I was drawing. I remember picking up a step-by-step doodle book and getting hooked. Art felt natural from the start.
Then in high school, I started playing around with my mom’s Canon DSLR and editing photos in Lightroom Mobile. I quickly became obsessed. I loved capturing people - especially family and friends - and transforming simple shots into something more expressive through my edits.
The Second Nudge: A Wake-Up Call
I started college in 2020 majoring in art, but I wasn’t exactly focused. Let’s just say I was more invested in my social life than my studies, and it caught up to me. I ended up retaking a semester and feeling completely lost.
One night, feeling directionless, I prayed for the first time in months. Not long after, I made a big decision to serve a full-time 18-month long mission in South Florida. It was completely out of my comfort zone, but it gave me clarity, purpose, and a new perspective. When I returned, I knew I wanted to pursue a meaningful creative career and make it one of my top priorities. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but I felt strongly that God would help me.
The Third Nudge: Finding My Lane
At the start of 2024, almost through my college education, I fell deeply in love with drawing and painting and started sharing my work online. Soon, I was getting commissions for custom portraits and started a small business.
At that point, I thought I had to choose: art or photography. One would be my job, the other a hobby. But that fall, I had a strong impression, like a quiet voice in my mind, urging me to consider both.
Around the same time, I found an Instagram account (@bysummerdelashaw) that blended fine art and photography seamlessly. Her work was exactly the kind of creative fusion I had envisioned but didn’t know existed. I reached out to her, and she’s now one of my most valued mentors.
The Fourth Nudge: Taking the Leap
Even with direction and inspiration, I hesitated for six months. I struggled with imposter syndrome and didn’t feel “good enough” at either discipline to go all in.
But that changed in the summer of 2025. I was continuing to grow my art business when my best friend asked me to take her engagement photos. It was an amazing experience, and on the drive home, my husband told me, “You’re in your element when you’re behind the camera.” That stuck with me.
From that moment on, I went for it. I started booking local clients for family and couple sessions, rebuilt my website, and officially announced my brand shift offering both photography and fine art. I was nervous about the response, but the support I received echoed the confirmation I had already felt deep down.
Looking Back - & Ahead
My journey hasn’t been linear, but every nudge brought me closer to what I was meant to do. Choosing both art and photography didn’t feel safe at first, but it feels so right. I’m grateful for the guidance, the people, and the small moments that helped me make the leap.
