I officially started Hyve Media in February 2024. You can read the About Me page to see how I officially got into the Jiu-Jitsu community. In just a short 8 months I have learned so much about jiujitsu, photography, and back end info on how to grow on social media. I even started training jiujitsu in May and fell in LOVE. Since February I have shot several local tournaments, been booked 3 times, and I officially hit 400 followers on Instagram as of 9/14/2024, thats about 50 of you amazing people per month! These local tournaments have allowed me to connect with so many of you, and it has been such an amazing blessing!


In June 2024 we headed to my first ADCC Open in Dallas TX, where I was provided with a media pass and that experience alone was one I will never forget. A photographer there had a client competing at the same time as him and somehow I walked next to him at the perfect moment! He asked me to shoot his client for him and would pay me for the photos, I was stoked!


July 2024 I drove up to Austin TX for the IBJJF Open, and to be honest my photos I took were very disappointing for me. I didn't spend enough time getting my settings right. I got in my head big time about these photos but decided not to go down that route of questioning myself and my skills. Instead I bought books and watched videos on how to improve. Since then I have seen great improvement in my photos and believe IBJJF was my wake up call. I'm not the best and I wont be until I put in the work on the backend to better myself and Hyve media.


I even began Portrait/Studio photography and that has been so much fun! I had a client who trains Muay Thai and Jiujitsu, and before the shoot his mom informed me he wanted to include his new bible in the photos. They came out better than I imagined. Such sweet people, and a pleasure to work with! It is so refreshing to see kids so passionate about athletics and more importantly the word of God.


Throughout the way I have met some amazing people, been humbled a few times, and learned so much about not only photography but myself. One thing I never thought about from launching Hyve Media is that in this community, and life, the only way you can let people know who you are is being a voice for YOURSELF. Which is something I am just starting to really take serious.


In July of 2024 I lost my full time job, I had been at this company for 3.5 years and to be honest this was not something I thought was ever going to happen. The unknown is scary and it still is, but I know God has a plan and truthfully speaking I feel like that happening was His way of showing me that this (Hyve Media) is what is next in His plan for me. We dont always know His plan or why He puts us through things but we just have to find the strength to keep going. Things do not happen overnight, it takes hard work and dedication especially with businesses.


I have been effortlessly educating myself on how to be a better photographer, and how to grow Hyve Media. Being let go from my job has opened my eyes to a lot, from having dedicated time to learn, to being able to spend more time with my 1.5 year old daughter, Jordyn.


For all of you who have purchased my photos, booked my services, followed, liked, allowed me to practice and grow my portfolio, or even just smiled at me... I appreciate you more than you know.


I look forward to ending the year off with a few more tournaments, and hopefully some holiday portraits! From the bottom of my heart, thank you again if you have made it this far. I look forward to writing more blogs for you.


Yours truly,

Katelyn Busby

Owner, Hyve Media