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

Hi Kaitlyn, career-wise, where do you want to be in the end?
My dream is to be a traveling worldwide fashion editorial photographer. I want to be published with magazines, work with models and campaigns. I love people and art and concepts such as beauty, freedom, expression, connection and boldness. To be a fashion photographer is to constantly push the limits, not just in styling but in art and mindsets as well.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
It’s funny how much I subconsciously incorporate my personality into my work: the bold colors, expressions and experimentation reflects my bold personality, my love for modernness syncs up with the constant urban venues I shoot in and the pure reactions captured reflect my drive for authenticity. Modern, bold and authentic. That’s who I am and that’s what makes up my photographs. This year, I’ve spent a good amount of time waiting because of the unexpected lockdown. It became a launching pad where I stood in the same place, but gathered more and more information, ideas and inspiration. And then, summer took off. And I’m proud to say that those months of waiting without going out for one single shoot paid off and it’s been my best year of business so far. I like to make the most of situations and find the beauty in every situation. And I think that also is evident in my work–as a photographer, I’m constantly analyzing the location, the lighting, the posing, the expression and the potential cohesiveness of it all. Sometimes, the background looks wack to my friends, but then, with a little photographer magic (AKA an experimental angle and good framing), they’re surprised by it. Same location, separate opinions by separate people. That’s what makes me different. That’s what sets me apart. Art isn’t always about creating new things; it’s about creating new perspectives (you can quote me on that!).

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
R&B Tea is the BEST boba place in San Diego, so we’d definitely go there first. Then we’d have lunch at Cross Street, a Korean/fusion chicken wing restaurant. We’d walk around downtown, by Liberty Station and Gaslamp Quarter, hit up Sunset Cliffs to watch the sun sink into the ocean. Old Town and Presidio Park have so much history and it’s absolutely beautiful and has great photo spots. For shopping, One Paseo in Del Mar Heights and the North County mall. Some other favorite restaurants in San Diego of mine are Din Tai Fung (food of my homeland!), Piacere Mio, Raising Cane’s, Menya Ultra Ramen, 356 Korean BBQ, Board & Brew, Crack Shack, SomiSomi, Gelato 101.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My family has supported me so much along my photography journey. From buying me my first DSLR as a teen to encouraging me to take photography courses in high school, to my sisters graciously modeling for me so I could practice shooting, to the sessions they’ve assisted and critiqued when I needed a second pair of eyes. They are my constant and I owe so much to them. Could not have made it this far without my family! I am so grateful to God for the family He gave me. 🙂

Website: deertrailphotography.com
Instagram: instagram.com/deertrailphoto
Twitter: twitter.com/deertrailphoto
Facebook: facebook.com/deertrailphoto
Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/deer-trail-photography-san-diego?osq=Deer+Trail+Photography
Other: pinterest.com/deertrailphoto

Image Credits
Personal photo credit Jessica Anali Photography, edit credit Deer Trail Photography

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