In Focus With Kael Vox: Photographer & Film Maker

In Focus With Kael Vox: Photographer & Filmmaker

BY CHLOE CATARINA

From capturing fleeting moments with a childhood camera to crafting emotional stories through film and photography, Kael Vox’s journey has always been about finding beauty in a world where others see the mundane. Growing up as a half-Asian girl in a predominantly white, conservative Southern community, she often felt like an outsider in a place that didn’t quite understand her. “Life as a kid was interesting for me,” she recalls. “I was isolated a lot, and I created my own little world.” It was in this space of solitude that she found comfort and began exploring the things that fascinated her.

Vox is a self-taught filmmaker and photographer whose work is as bold as her fiery red locks and edgy fashion sense. For her, art is about emotion, raw moments, and preserving the fleeting beauty in life. With a distinctive style and a passion for capturing stories, Vox has cultivated a career where her art not only expresses her own truth but also resonates with others on a deeply emotional level.

As a child, Vox's passions were diverse—she dreamed of becoming an archaeologist, an interior designer, and even a singer. But photography was the one constant. “I always had a camera,” she says, reflecting on her early years. Whether she was snapping pictures of the leaves outside, the rocks she was obsessed with, or her stuffed animals arranged around the house, photography became a way to make sense of her world, to hold onto the fleeting beauty she saw in everything.

She never needed anyone to tell her what to photograph. Her instinct for visual storytelling was innate. “I think I’ve always seen life like a film or a music video,” she explains. “I romanticize a lot, and I’ve always had this sense of wanting to capture the moment, to freeze something beautiful forever.” Her deep connection to preserving time and holding onto memories became a thread that would run through her life and work, leading her to a career in film and photography. “I think it was just inevitable,” she says with a smile. “My life was always meant to unfold this way.”

Stepping Into Frame: The Beginning

Vox’s formal journey into filmmaking and photography took a more traditional route when she enrolled at Georgia State University, majoring in film with a minor in psychology (another field of deep interest). However, she quickly realized that the rigid structure of formal education didn’t align with her creative spirit. “I love learning,” she explains, “but I didn’t love being forced to study subjects that didn’t fuel my passion.” The more she immersed herself in film history and production classes, the more disillusioned she became with the system. “The thought of one more algebra test made me sick to my stomach,” she laughs. “I wanted to focus on what I loved, not things that felt irrelevant to my goals.” After a brief stint at university, she made the bold decision to drop out. “It was the best decision I ever made,” she says. “I realized I could teach myself the things I needed to know. I just had to follow my own path.”

Self-taught but deeply committed to her craft, Vox embraced the process of learning on her own terms. While there were technical challenges along the way, she always believed that the most important tool a photographer or filmmaker can have is the “eye”—a quality that simply can't be taught. “That’s something I’ve always had,” she says with quiet confidence. “I can see a moment and know it’s something worth capturing.” This instinct for visual storytelling, combined with her dedication to learning, allowed her to hone her skills and develop a distinctive style—one that prioritizes emotion and raw, authentic moments over technical perfection.

“What I learned from David wasn’t just about photography. It was about how to be a true artist.”

Throughout her career, Vox has had the privilege of learning from many talented creatives, but one person who has had an especially profound impact on her life and work is her mentor, David Rams. Their paths first crossed years ago when Vox was modeling for a photo shoot, and David, a seasoned photographer with decades of experience, was behind the lens. At the time, Vox had taken a hiatus from photography but had recently rekindled her passion. Without intending to, David took her under his wing. “He didn’t have to try—it just happened,” she recalls. “We both saw in each other that we shot in a very similar way. We both wanted to capture a feeling, not just a perfect shot.”

David, who had been shooting longer than Vox had been alive, became an invaluable source of wisdom. As their friendship deepened, so did their creative partnership. He inspired her to look beyond technical perfection and focus instead on the emotions that could be conveyed through a single frame. “What I learned from David wasn’t just about photography,” Vox reflects. “It was about how to be a true artist—how to stay authentic and make work that moves people.”

David’s influence was profound, but their relationship was also deeply personal. As much as he taught her the technicalities of photography, he also guided her in how to trust her intuition and embrace the vulnerability of the creative process. "We never talked about rules or formulas," Vox says. "It was just about showing up, creating together, and learning from each other." David’s mentorship was especially significant because, by all accounts, he wasn’t someone who typically mentored others. “He saw something in me,” Vox reflects, "and that meant the world." Their bond was a testament to the power of collaboration and mutual respect, and their creative sessions were more than just work—they were moments of genuine connection.

Tragically, David passed away recently, and Vox found herself grappling with the loss of a mentor and a close friend. She stayed by his side during his final days, offering care and companionship in his hospice, an experience that has deeply affected her. “Someone told me, ‘You’re on your own now, kid,’” she says, her voice softening. "And that’s true. But I’ll carry his lessons with me forever." In the wake of his passing, Vox continues to honor David’s memory through her work, knowing that his influence has shaped her not just as a photographer, but as a person. “He pushed me to be better, and now I have to carry that forward. His legacy is in everything I create.”

The Hustle Behind the Lens

When you ask a photographer about their first job in the industry, you might expect a well-defined moment—an image of a young artist with a camera in hand, landing their first big break. For Vox, however, the answer isn’t so straightforward. It’s a blurred snapshot of a time when the art of taking photos began to blend with the art of hustling. “Honestly, I’m trying to think of what this might have been,” she says, recalling the early days of her career. “I started with a lot of basic corporate headshots for lawyers, businessmen, and actors. I’m pretty sure I got my first gigs through job apps like Thumbtack, just promoting myself and hoping for the best.”

It was humble work—simple, straightforward headshots—but it laid the foundation for what would become a thriving career. And while the beginning might not have been glamorous, it was a necessary stepping stone. This initial hustle is part of what drives her work today, a reminder that the road to success is rarely a straight line.

But there was one moment—one pivotal conversation—that shifted her trajectory from simply making a living to truly understanding the value of her craft. “I think the major turning point for me was when I realized my worth,” she shares, reflecting on a transformative piece of advice from a mentor. “As creatives, especially as women, we tend to undervalue our time. We have this constant imposter syndrome like we’re not really worthy of charging what we deserve.” It was a wiser, more experienced photographer who told her straight: “You’re charging too little.” The words stuck. It wasn’t just about raising her rates; it was about understanding the intrinsic value of her work and time.

The advice was a game-changer. “I started charging more, and I was scared at first—what if no one books me?” she admits, laughing now at the memory. “But it was never true. People did book me, and I learned something crucial. If you’re working yourself to the bone, with no time to rest, to enjoy life, or to create for fun, you’re not charging enough.” For Vox, the shift wasn’t just about making more money—it was about reclaiming her time. “Time is the true currency. And once you realize that, it changes everything.”

Focusing on the Frame: Balancing Hustle with Rest

Her business flourished as she grew more confident in her rates and in her abilities. But like anyone in the creative field, Vox faced periods of uncertainty and challenges. “I don’t know if I’d call them ‘major challenges,’” she says with a shrug. “But I think anyone in this industry faces stress and uncertainty. There have been times when I didn’t have any paid work, especially when I was younger and just getting started. Those moments come and go.”

But where many might have crumbled, Vox persisted. She knew one essential truth: “When you don’t have paid work, you keep creating.” Those quiet periods, when the phone stops ringing and the jobs dry up, are a normal part of any creative journey. It’s the persistence to keep producing, to keep working on your craft, that eventually leads to more opportunities. “If you keep showing up, if you keep creating, the work will come,” she says with quiet certainty.

Framing What's Ahead: Capturing Tomorrow’s Possibilities

For Vox, the future isn’t something to wait for—it’s something to build, something to experience fully with every fiber of her being. When asked about her goals, she doesn’t offer the typical answer. Instead, she pauses thoughtfully, reflecting on her journey. “I love this question,” she says with a smile. “It always makes you think about what you’ve been working on and where you’re channeling your energy.” For Vox, the lines between personal and professional aspirations are blurry—perhaps even non-existent. “Art is such a part of my life,” she reflects. “The things I want to create in my work, I want to bring into my life as well. I want to live fully, to learn, and to create art that’s true to me.”

The journey that started with a childhood camera has evolved into a career that’s both deeply personal and profoundly professional. As Vox continues to chase the moments that matter, the future remains hers to define, frame by frame. The legacy she’s building isn’t one of fame or fortune, it’s one of emotional connection and authenticity. It’s about reaching out through the lens and making people feel. As her journey continues to unfold, one thing is clear, she will continue to do just that—create, connect, and make people truly feel, and in doing so, she will leave an indelible mark on the world.

---

Kael Vox is currently living in Atlanta, Georgia as a photographer and filmmaker. Her award winning documentary From Preachers to Playboys features her mentor, David Rams, and his life as a photographer. You can find Kael via her social media profiles: @Vox.the.visitor / @Vox.the.vamp / @What.the.v0x / Between Two Lenses podcast.