Conversations with the Inspiring Holly Kapp

Today we’d like to introduce you to Holly Kapp.

Holly, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I have been into photography since as long as I can remember. I remember begging my parents for disposables and also for them to let me use their nice Canon when I was little. I had point and shoot cameras for years until I started getting really really into it and becoming more and more passionate. Then, I saved up enough money to buy a Canon Rebel T3 my pride and joy, the camera I had for seven years. Unfortunately, my apartment flooded this past November and that camera is dead RIP to the best camera ever. I’ve been camera-less for the past couple of months so have looked to social media and my phone camera until I can save up for the camera I have my eyes on. The awesome thing about social media is that I can make money by helping advertise other companies clothes, jewelry, hair products, etc. It’s super awesome to have multiple streams of income coming in, I’m also a full-time marketing and events assistant for an amazing company in Scottsdale.

As for Instagram, I started posting to Instagram in around 2012, I believe my sophomore year of high school. I was always fascinated with the creative process: thinking of ideas of what to post, how to be as creative and unique as possible, and think of a funny and unique caption. I’m totally more right-brained, art and creativity is what makes me happy and most passionate in life!

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It really has not been a smooth road at all, I’ve had people tell me I couldn’t do things, that I’d never succeed in this business, I also was bullied a lot throughout my life, and struggle with anxiety and panic disorder as well as OCD. My advice for other women would be, you can do/be whatever you want to be. Don’t ever let anyone tell you what you can or can’t accomplish. Do what you’re passionate about. If you have toxic friends, cut them out of your life and be with women and men who only lift you up. If you are working in a toxic work environment, run and RUN FAST. You spend 40 hours a week at work, you are going to want to be happy! Break up with your toxic boyfriend, you will bloom and grow in ways you never saw coming. If you are dealing with domestic violence or any sort of abusive relationship, seek out help and get out of it as soon as you safely can. See a therapist, talk about your mental illness, get rid of the negative stigma.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into Holly Kapp Photography story. Tell us more about it.
I feel like right now, I’m most known for my photography, which makes me happy because it’s what I’m most passionate about! It’s just difficult right now, because I’m camera less, but will have a camera in my hands in no time! I love experimenting with my photography, like shooting through objects or reflecting off the lens and playing with color. I love taking pictures of landscapes and adore taking people’s portraits. Another thing I’m known for is my vegan hair care consulting business I help women with their hair as well as make money from their phones. It’s shampoo and personal development, honestly, ever since joining the business my self-confidence has grown like crazy, and I’ve met really amazing girls from it!

Do you have a lesson or advice you’d like to share with young women just starting out?
Go out and network and meet new people. I spent the first five months after college just sobbing and having a pity party about how I’m not meeting anybody new and blah blah blah. Finally, I went out and did something about it and I have met some of the coolest people I’ve ever met in my life! One of those people being Kirsten Ortez (who you guys interviewed). Also, in today’s world, it’s all about connections and who you know, people get new amazing opportunities and jobs from connections. So, go out and meet new people and get out of your comfort zone. Nothing good comes from a comfort zone!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @dropitlikeitshollz, Photography Instagram: @hkapp_photography
• Email: hkapp@comcast.net
• Other: Twitter @hkappz

Image Credit:
Kirsten Ortez, Holly Kapp Photography

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