Meet Kaleigh Rae Gamache | Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kaleigh Rae Gamache and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kaleigh Rae, other than deciding to work for yourself, what else do you think played a pivotal role in your story?
Having grown up in a small town in Wisconsin, I’d have to say that deciding to say YES to traveling the world and studying abroad for a full year during my 20’s was the best decision I’ve made to contribute to my success as an individual and in my business!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a photographer and have always been an artist. One of the things that didn’t come naturally to me was actually being a “business owner”. This is because I was always so passionate about the creative aspect of being both an artist and a performer. For most of my life, I dedicated my time, energy, efforts and studies to music. I was incredibly serious and passionate about my career as an opera singer. As I developed my career as a performer, I started doing photography on the side while traveling the world. Eventually my photography skills were attracting more business, and I started to work on a “commitment” basis. In music, one must continue to audition — always looking for the next gig to solidify a calendar. With that comes a lot of rejection. I got use to the hustle, but I also found that my creative outlet outside of music was my love for photography. Once I started to find more security in my art as a photographer, booking things out in advance became more exciting for me and it took over on a more full-time basis. I still sing often, but I definitely enjoy it more that it’s not the only thing I live for.

It wasn’t easy. I was so incredibly serious about having a successful singing career that I studied too hard and didn’t allow myself to enjoy life to the full potential. I was a high dean’s honors perfect grade student working multiple jobs. I was constantly considering every choice I made on a daily basis to be a reason for me to NOT land a job from an audition. Once I started realizing that so much of it was truly out of my control, I found myself. I allowed joy to creep in and with that, a budding photography career + a lot of unforgettable, invaluable lessons and memories.

The art of my photography is based in capturing realness. So much of the wedding industry and photography industry is saturated with unrealistic expectations. I see it all the time – people concerned, stressed and unhappy with the look of things, whether it is the way a space looks, a moment or themselves. I am here to capture candid moments that are meaningful and to tell the story of what I see and how it feels.

I’ve learned that life is beautiful, no matter if you have a few fly-aways. It isn’t seemingly “perfect” – how could it be? If we accept that every moment simply “is” then we realize that the memory of it will be perfect in its own way. I find each person I photograph to be beautiful. They’re in a beautiful place, whether on a mountain top, in a castle, or in their home kitchen and that’s worth documenting as a season in life.

I’d like for the world to know that I am ALWAYS on your team. I believe in you, in your happiness and in your story. And I am cheering you on as a hype woman. I grew up in a small town with massive dreams of being on the biggest stages in the world singing opera. As I put in so much work for it to happen, I ended up on a few of those. And a lot of smaller stages. And in the process, I learned that I also had other passions. And that it was okay to feel more at home rather than live out of a suitcase hoping for the next audition to bring another job on the calendar. Now, I have years of photography booked out in advance because I’ve been able to build a trusting business capturing my people in all seasons of life and in places around the world. I am able to connect individually with every one I photograph. I get to be the third wheel and hype woman, instead of performing in the spotlight ridden with anxiety of who will like me and who will not, simply for the way I look and sound on stage. I have so much confidence in myself as a photographer and could not imagine myself doing anything different today.

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?
If a friend of mine were visiting Milwaukee, Wisconsin for the weekend, here’s what we’d do (I’m a vegetarian, so dining choices may be loosely based around that): 1. Dinner at Transfer Pizza or Fixture Pizza. Both in Walker’s Point
2. Drinks at Lost Whale or Boone and Crockett.
3. Lunch at Beerline Café
4. A drive up to Cedarburg to walk around and shop.
5. Candle making reservation at Glass Note Candle Bar in Walker’s Point
6. Comedy show at Milwaukee Improv
7. Concert or headliner at a theatre
8. Dinner + drinks at Hotel Metro (Oggie’s and Pufferfish Tiki Bar)
9. Watch a Packer game or Buck’s game on Old World Third St.
10. Brewery tour at Lakefront or MKE Brewing

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First off, I would NEVER be in this without my clients. Everyone who has trusted in me to document their moments over the past 7+ years has helped build Kaleigh Rae Photography into what it is today. They’re the peanut butter to my jelly. I thank the encouragement and support of this community of clients. As well, my family, friends + artistic mentors throughout my life for always motivating the journey of art + creation.

Website: kaleighraephotography@gmail.com

Instagram: @kaleighraephoto

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