“You don’t take a photograph,
you make it.”
-Ansel Adams
You’re not just booking photos.
You’re holding onto something that matters.
At Kaylarie Gallerie, I create on-location portraits for pet parents and pet professionals who want more than “cute photos” — they want images that actually mean something.
Whether it’s a new beginning, a milestone moment, or a goodbye you’re not ready for… these are the moments that deserve to be remembered the right way.
Kayla & Mittens 1989
I’m Kayla — a graduate of the Hallmark Institute of Photography and the photographer behind Kaylarie Gallerie.
Photography has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. After graduating from photography school in 2007, I expected it to become my full-time career. Instead, like many people, I took a retail job to pay the bills.
One opportunity led to another, and before long I found myself managing retail teams and building a career outside of photography. The camera never completely disappeared, but it took a back seat for many years.
Then my health changed everything.
Living with Stage IV endometriosis forced me to slow down and rethink what I wanted my life to look like. As managing became increasingly difficult, I made the decision to step back and focus on my health.
That decision brought me back to photography.
Two years ago, I founded Kaylarie Gallerie with a simple goal: to create meaningful images of the people and animals who matter most.
Around the same time, I started the Coachella Valley Photography Club. What began as a way to get myself out of the house and back behind the camera has grown into a community where photographers can learn, explore, and create together.
My approach is simple:
No stiff posing.
No pressure.
No unrealistic expectations.
Just patience, adaptability, and creating space for real moments to happen — especially with animals.
Kayla & KC 1994
Animals have always been more than pets in my life. They’ve been companions, teachers, sources of comfort, and family members.
Because of my own experiences, I understand how quickly circumstances can change and how important it is to hold onto the moments that matter.
That perspective is what allows me to create images that feel honest, emotional, and lasting.
Kayla & Jasper 2026
I work with:
- Pet parents → capturing new arrivals, milestones, and end-of-life memories
- Pet professionals → creating scroll-stopping visuals that bring in clients
- Photography students → teaching real-world skills in a way that’s approachable and practical
All sessions are on-location throughout the Coachella Valley and Palm Springs area — designed to be comfortable, flexible, and centered around you (and your animals).
Kayla MaRie
If you’re looking for photos that feel like your life — not a staged version of it — you’re in the right place.
Did you see Kayla on KESQ on Thursday, July 16, 2026. Here she is pictured with Patrick and the adorable Enzo Ferrari promoting Dog Days of Summer; a dog food drive and pet photo event co-hosted with K9 Parent Training to benefit our favorite local animal rescue, Desert Paws Sanctuary on Aug 2nd.
Check out the video on KESQ HERE.
We were featured on NBC Palm Springs on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 for our upcoming Dog Days of Summer event on August 2nd benefiting Desert Paws Sanctuary with a pet food drive and pet photo event in collaboration with K9 Parent Training.
Check out the video on NBC HERE.
