Today we’d like to introduce you to Misty Rodda.
Hi Misty, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve loved photography for as long as I can remember. I was always the friend with the camera, but I didn’t begin taking it seriously until my three kids were little and I found myself wanting to preserve every stage of their childhood! Those were the days of the Sears Portrait Studio, and those pics, and that experience, just weren’t doing it for me! I bought a nice camera and started teaching myself the technical side of things!
At the time, our family was living in a small town in Illinois. Then in 2009, we made a huge leap and moved across the country to the Washington, D.C. area. As a small-town Midwestern girl, the move pushed me outside my comfort zone in every possible way. Instead of playing it safe, I decided to take another leap and officially start my photography business,
That decision changed my life!
Over the last 17 years, I’ve had the privilege of photographing hundreds of families through every season of life. I’ve captured engagements, weddings, newborns, and family milestones, and one of the greatest gifts of this career has been watching my clients grow. Some of the tiny kids I photographed in those early years are now high school seniors. There really is no greater compliment than having families come back year after year and trust me to preserve their memories!
In 2021, our family returned to the Midwest and settled in Kansas City. Starting over after building a business on the East Coast was both exciting and humbling, but it’s been an incredibly rewarding season. I’m grateful that many of my Washington, D.C.-area clients still invite me back each year for sessions while I’ve also had the opportunity to build relationships with wonderful families here in Kansas City.
Today, my goal is simple: I want people to feel comfortable enough to be themselves in front of my camera. Beautiful photographs matter, but what matters even more is preserving this season of life honestly, because the ordinary moments have a way of becoming the ones we treasure most. As a mom of 3 adult kids, I feel like I understand this now more than ever!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
One of the biggest challenges was moving back to the Midwest after spending more than a decade building a successful business in the Washington, D.C. area. I had established wonderful clients, strong word-of-mouth referrals, and a full calendar. Starting over in Kansas City meant rebuilding relationships, introducing myself to a new community, and trusting that there was room for me here too. It was exciting, but it was also humbling!
Like many creatives, I’ve wrestled with comparison too. It’s easy to look around and wonder if you’re doing enough or creating enough. Over time, I’ve realized that the best thing I can offer isn’t trying to be someone else. It’s creating an experience where people feel comfortable, cared for, and genuinely themselves.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I primarily photograph families and branding sessions, with a handful of newborns, weddings, and seniors each year. People often ask why I haven’t niched down into just one type of photography, and the answer is simple: I love stories too much.
Whether I’m photographing a family, a business owner, or a couple on their wedding day, I’m drawn to people who are building something meaningful. The subject may change, but the heart behind my work never does!
What I’m most proud of is the relationships I’ve built. Many of my clients have trusted me with their memories for more than a decade, and there’s no greater compliment than being invited back to document one chapter of life after another.
I think what sets me apart is that I care as much about the experience as I do the final images. I want people to leave feeling seen, comfortable, and genuinely themselves. At the end of the day, I don’t just photograph families or brands, I tell stories. That’s the work I believe in, and it’s the work I love!
What are your plans for the future?
Honestly, I’m not chasing a huge photography empire. My goal has always been to build a business that allows me to do work I love while still being present for the people I love.
As my kids have become adults, this season has given me more freedom to grow in new ways. I’m excited to continue serving families and businesses in Kansas City while also maintaining the wonderful client relationships I’ve built in the Washington, D.C. area.
More than anything, I hope to keep creating meaningful work, continue learning and growing as an artist, and just do work I believe in and love! I’m staying open to all the possibilities!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mistyrodda.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mroddaphoto
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mistyroddaphotography
