We were lucky to catch up with Kevin Johnson recently and have shared our conversation below.
Kevin, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with what makes profitability in your industry a challenge – what would you say is the biggest challenge?
I think biggest challenge for me was, and is getting my name out there. I’m not the most present person on social media, which I know is a great space to promote yourself, FOR FREE. However, I don’t utilize that tool as much as I could. But just like any business the start up is usually a big challenge and maintaining that same effort through the notnso good times. Seeing the failure when it comes but not letting it fold you. I remember the purpose of the business, and the ability and talent God tailored to me and I have to pursue it even if it’s not me who sees it reach its full potential.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
I am Kevin Johnson, and I have been a videographer/photographer for about 5yrs now. I was born and raised in Detroit along with my 3 brothers and 2 sisters. I come from a family of artist. My mom was an artist, and my dad is an artist in the way he teaches, life. A few of my siblings draw, sing, write, and also endulge in photography. So I’ve been around art in some shape or form my entire life. I got into videography first by just recording my first born child and making these little videos on my phone and posting them on Facebook. People really liked them and from there my wife now, bought me a camera and I never looked back. So I mainly shoot weddings and business promos. I’m offer my services to help couples create and capture moments of their wedding day that tend to slip from memory over time. So it’s always a pleasure being able to help produce a product that will hopefully be around forever.
What I’m most proud of is in regards to the service I provide is the final product that I present to my clients. Knowing I gave them my best, and I haven’t gotten any bad feedback yet so I’m really proud of that, lol. I’m proud, grateful and humbled by just the receptiveness from my clients. The way I can interact with them genuinely and build trust on both sides. The way strangers can become friends, business supporters, connections. It’s makes me proud of humanity when I experience being able to connect with clients on personal level in addition to the business side..
I thinknthe main thing I want my potential clients to know is that I work hard to provide them the end product they desire. Each shoot, whether video or photography is tailored to their personality. It’s not a one size fits all. I hold close to vision they envision and exaggerate it to make it better than they initially saw it.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
There is an endgame to shooting video and photography. This is something, though I love doing, I don’t want to do this forever. I would like to ultimately create a space where artist come to learn, create and present their gift to the world. I want to operate a school/venue for that allows and promotes individuals creativity. Whether that be art, singing, dance, poetry, photography, acting…etc. I want it all.
Any fun sales or marketing stories?
There was a point in my journey as a photographer where I fell down the YouTube rabbit hole. I would watch other videographers or creaters videos and tutorials and think why am I here. These people are way better than me. More skilled, polished and creative. I was very unsure of my work and my prices reflected that. I didn’t feel my prices were an accurate representation of my work. I under charged for my services for a long time. I actually missed out on clients because many people don’t trust some one to video their 8-10 hr wedding day for $500. Their work must not be too good right. We have it in our minds that if it’s cheap or extremely affordable, it can’t be good. But again, I was under charging heavily because I didn’t believe in myself, and my skill. It wasn’t until a previous client saw my work, and told me what they think I should charge, then proceeded to pay me that amount, that’s when I took the risk of raising my prices. Pricing for videography was and is a struggle for most in the industry when starting out. But I think knowing your work and your worth helps to find the financial arena to operate in until you’re ready for the next step.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.eyemfocusdstudio.com
- Instagram: Eyemfocusd_studio; emotionmedia.sd
- Facebook: EyemfocusdStudio