Instagram Influencer Spotlight On: Kaylee McKeny @Kayleemckeny

1) Tell us a little about yourself. What are you doing now and where do you come from?

I own a small business focused on image consulting and photography. I live in downtown Austin, Texas, but was raised in North Carolina.

2) What are your topics of interest? What do you post on Instagram the most?

I travel frequently, for work some but primarily for pleasure, love fine cuisine, high end fashion/accessories, and high end home decor. Thus far my Instagram has primarily centered around my photography and travel selfies, but I am refocusing, and am hoping to hone in on my love of high end products.

3) How did your Instagram name come about?

It’s merely my name! I briefly entertained other ideas, but the longest lasting element of anyone’s brand is their name, so I felt that was best.

4) What are some apps you use to edit your photos? Share with us your photo-editing routine!

My selfies tend to be straight out of my phone camera, but my preference is to shoot with my Canon 5D Mark III, then do any necessary editing in Lightroom or Photoshop.

5) Any Instagrammers whom you really like? Which Instagrammer inspires you the most?

Anyone with a really interesting or unique feed, but my personal favorites include Fendi— one of my all-time favorite brands— and Flos USA.

6) If there’s one thing your fellow Instagrammers just gotta try now, what’s it gonna be?

Hmmm… I’d say shooting with a high-end camera!

7) What’s your favorite part about being an influencer?

It’s still new to me, but I have to say that my favorite part is the opportunity to introduce people to some of my favorite places, brands, and activities. After posting about tea at the Mandarin Oriental in Vegas, quite a few followers messaged me to tell me they’d given it a try and loved it— very little is more satisfying!

8) What are some of your top tips to brands for running campaigns? How do you maintain authenticity?

Don’t be afraid to try something out of the ordinary, or something with a bit of humor. That can be substantially more memorable and appealing than a generic post… But whatever you do, do it beautifully!

9) What would your advice be on the importance of quality and original content?

This can’t be overstated. If something feels rote or generic, people won’t respond to it. Although there does seem to be a line at which something can become “too original”.

10) What do you like best about partnering with brands?

I love sharing what I love; it’s as simple as that. A good product deserves exposure, and it feels great to be able to introduce my followers to things that are great.