Meet Kiara Graves | Photographer, Creative Director, and Personal Banker

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

Hi Kiara, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I pursued an artistic/creative career because I am always trying to apply a visual to my ideas. From a young age I would write poetry, color a lot, and always start my own clubs with my local neighborhood friends I grew up with. I create when I cannot seem to find the words to describe how I feel or what’s on my mind.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Texture. Composition. and Adventure. 3 words to describe my art and what I value most. My work is not the typical photoshopped-to-look-perfect kind of work. I will show your flaws. I will let that little love handle show, because I like to produce work the people can actually relate to. Luckily enough, my clients actually love that! It’s beautiful when a client starts the session insecure or unsure of how this will look because by the end of the shoot they’re a totally different person! Strutting and exuding confidence is how I like to send my clients off.

I have had a client or two who did not like the way they looked after shooting with me and luckily enough I did not let this warp my confidence. If anything, It taught me that I do not have to shoot every client who inquires. Since then, I educate my clients and potential clients to be sure to book with photographers for their displayed style. If you want dark and moody photos: a photographer who takes more dark photos should be your go-to and so on and so fourth,

I want the world to know that I have not arrived yet. I’m still in hibernation, trying to find my niche and my corner in this profession. Please remember the name: Lola-Listens Photography!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
A week in LA with me looks like: Visiting the San Antonio Winery, A quick morning mini-shoot at Docweiler Beach before the sun rises, a walk through the South Bay Botanical Garden, Eating at a few of my favorite restaurants: Post & Beam, Tirsas, Fiesta Martin’s, or Charlie’s Famous Chicken, yum! I usually will try to hit an art installation, show, or museum at-least once a month. Favorite areas to be: the beach, a rooftop bar/lounge, or a photo studio.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First and foremost, I would not be where I am today had it not have been for my great uncle Frank. He believed in me when I had only a dime to my name. He took the leap of faith of believing in me / investing in me and ultimately helped me get my first Sony A7 Camera. I was so determined to prove to him that I had what it takes to succeed and keep going. It has been his blind faith in me that motivates me to keep going. Quitting is no longer an option at this point.

Second, I would like to shoutout Post & Beam Restaurant in Los Angeles for believing in me as well and hiring me to shoot their re-branding photos and product photos. As of today, they are the biggest client I have shot for and continue to shoot for.

Third, I would love to shed light and recognize my man and my mother because none of this would be possible without their unconditional love, understanding, and words of advice they often have for me, considering this is my first business.

Website: lolalistensphotography.com

Instagram: instagram.com/lolalistensphotography

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiara-graves-6b9220233

Twitter: twitter.com/lolashotya

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lolalistensphotographyLLC

Image Credits
Taken by Lola-Listens Photography.