With charisma to match the images she produces, Kaylee Steffel is on the rise as one of the most in-demand photographers on the Nashville music scene. For Steffel, creativity has always been the outlet. However, she vividly remembers the first show that sparked her interest in live photography. “Carrie Underwood. The Play On Tour. She was circling the crowd in a blue truck, swinging on a swing. It was magical,” the 27-year-old says. Cutting her teeth photographing intimate country shows as well as high-energy festivals and artists in Ohio and surrounding states, she wanted more of those moments. After university, she headed into the corporate world working for a Fortune 500 company, but didn’t see a lifetime career. “I knew I wouldn’t be happy without giving it a shot at touring and creating in the music space full-time.” In November 2019, Steffel took the leap after years of waiting and relocated to Nashville, TN. By January 2020, she had a published photo of award-winning artist, Rhonda Funk, in the Nugget Newspaper (Sisters, OR.) — a career first. Unfortunately as her career was hitting a stride, the world shut down. Navigating this proved difficult; however, she pivoted into portraiture and content creating for influence marketers. Originally capturing Country artists exclusively, Steffel has expanded into a wide array of genres including Rap and Pop-Rock. This proved fruitful for her as she found her work getting placements in publications far and wide with Pop-Rock’s Eddie and The Getaway and Pop singer-songwriter, Cassandra. Currently, the Nashville-based creative works as the live photographer for country artist, Ashley Barron, as well as rapper, Hew G., along with creating for a variety of artists across the music spectrum. Thank you to our Sponsor Kyser Musical Products
