Multi-Disciplinary -Artist/Creative Director/Person

My name is Kayla Reefer; I am a self-taught photographer and independent creative entrepreneur.

Los Angeles made me. Panamá is my ancestry. Puerto Rico shaped my formative years and my first understanding of life, family, growth, and change. Chicago is now home.

I‘m passionate about where I’m from and elevating the voices and visibility of those often under or misrepresented. My background informs more than my practice; it is rooted in who I am, how I see, and what/why I make. Three questions reflect my perspective. Who is this for? What does it mean? How can it be better?

I’m always searching for answers, asking questions, and adapting as I go, forever nurturing the tenacious and inquisitive mind I’ve had since birth. My work is fueled by my desire to change the world, and I don’t think that’s too far-fetched of a goal or too broad a statement. All it takes is a single idea.

Like the idea I had to pick up a camera at 19. Or the one my grandmother had 40+ years ago when she immigrated to the U.S., or maybe it’s the one my parents had when they decided they wanted a daughter, so they had me.

My professional career started with this same ingrained belief. I was hit with this insatiable need to solve a problem. I noticed a missed opportunity in visual content for this artist I aspired to work for, so I crafted my concept, created some mockups, and sent an email. Twenty minutes later, I got a response and was hired on a six-week, 30-show National U.S. tour. I was 22 years old.

Since then, I’ve established myself in the creative industry and have made work for some of the most renowned and dynamic publications and companies. Apple, Billboard, Spotify, Vogue, TIME, and Adidas, to name a few.

Some of the most monumental moments in my career thus far happened because I was able to share my true potential, and if you’ve found your way here, I have a feeling you’re starting to realize that, too. If you’re looking for a charismatic breath of fresh air, an innate storyteller, and a thoughtful and intentional collaborator, you’ve come to the right place. I look forward to what we will create together.

Send an email! You never know what may happen.