Today we’d like to introduce you to Kiersten Nettles.
Hi Kiersten, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Back in 2019 I started Photography as a Hobby to start photographing my twin daughters through their milestones. As I continued to photograph them I ventured out into learning more about editing, watching YouTube tutorials, learning photoshop and Lightroom and then just reading more to understand lighting techniques. After about 12 months or so I started offering free sessions to friends and others in the community. After about three months or so, I knew that I was inspired to build something I would have after my military career comes to an end. So as a full time active duty soldier, twin mom on the weekends I dedicate any of my free time to my true passion, photography
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I would not say that it has been a smooth road, the key has always been in finding balance to do something I love when I am also actively progressing in the Army as a Sergeant First Class with every intention to make Sergeant Major, which I also love my leadership and opportunities I have been granted in my career as well. It is difficult trying to have the time to dedication the same energy across everything. So I do the best that I can to atleast book one photography session a month to remain up to speed with the photography industry!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My 1st career is a 25U in the US Army. I have currently served 13 years at the rank of Sergeant First Class. I am most proud of my ability to provide mentorship to junior soldiers. As a senior leader I make it my priority to ensure I am always advising and guiding those around me. I feel as though that is something I didn’t recieve when I was a junior solider so I made sure that my soldier recieve it. I fully believe that Great leadership comes when you understand what motives each individual in your team. What I am most proud of is the completion of my Senior Drill Sergeant tour. I completed my Drill Sergeant tour back in February 2025, that was one of the most personally challenging times in my career and I couldn’t have done with out the help of my support system. Being a single mother on the trail was no small task but I gave it my 100% everyday, it was also the most rewarding assignment I have completed. I am not sure what sets me apart from others!
I think something that sets me apart from others in the photography world is that every session, every person I meet. I build a relationship with them. Some of my bestfriends were clients first and I think that because I take the time to really get to know my clients, the work the products all of it is just that more special
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
I think what matters most to me is a happy home. Because of the military my life can change at the drop of a dime & I just have to be adaptable to it. My home life is the one thing that I have complete control over, to make sure it’s comfortable and cozy for my daughters, boyfriend and your dogs. I think that being able to create my home into a safe space is something that I’ve learned to do over the years and as I’ve done that it just matters so much to me now to have a space that I’m comfortable in that I love and that I look forward to coming home to at the end of the day.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://unscriptedphotographers.com/kierstenskeepsakes
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keepsakephotographys
