We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Krytondra Mamou a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Krytondra, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
It was about fiddling with the settings, fighting light, and getting forced smiles that would pass when I started. I was self-taught, so those first sessions were rough, way past not great, and usually free for those reasons. As I got further and further into the art of it, past the technicalities, I was able to focus more on the actual subjects. At some point, clients would be emotionally moved by their images because I had started capturing them authentically. That authenticity shocked them because they didn’t know their truth was so glorious! They felt the mess, chaos, and frazzle, and I captured the connection, warmth, and vulnerability. My mission and tagline were “Photos You Feel” forever. Then a dear friend who had been alongside me for most of my photo journey said something that sparked a fire in me. She called me a storyteller. I had to let that one marinate. Their gallery is a storyline if it is a family, an expectant mother, a business owner, a birthday girl, or whoever. It hit me so hard because that’s what I’ve always been after, the client’s story, but I could never articulate it. Now, it’s my language in marketing, in first meetings, everything. It’s simple. I am a storyteller here to tell your story because every story matters.
Krytondra, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I’m a native Houstonian and currently reside in Richmond, Texas, with my husband and three children. Photography came naturally when I first picked that camera in 2011. It was as if it had always been there. As I taught myself the ropes, it began being that thing I could not avoid. K. Mamou Photography was born. Now, I primarily work with women for their personal and business photography needs. For business owners, I have photographed their projects, staff, headshots, branding, and even occasionally an event here and there. These days, my portrait work mainly happens at The Creative Chateau, where I also have a private studio space. Although, when the vision has called for it, you could find me all over Houston, even out of state. At the core of it, the client needs me to help them translate, through a photo, what is important to them. After conversations to help hone in on their vision, I’ll use lighting techniques, mood boards, and other tools to tell their story authentically. Regardless of the genre, I shoot with the same perspective—truth over pretty for the sake of pretty. I try to find the soul. Even after showing clients the beauty they’ve overlooked or helping get their work published, a single moment will forever stand above them all. Earlier this year, I had to honor of photographing my grandmother, at The Chateau, in my first Legacy Session. I can’t minimize any other accomplishment but showing her the fruits of her faith made my entire world.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
The main thing I have always set out to do is to be a vessel of blessing for my clients. It might sound corny or trite, but so true. It is easy to underestimate the power of a well-executed photograph, and I’ve been humbled along the way to hear how powerful a gallery has been for clients. It can heal wounds, bring clarity, encourage, or even allow confirmation. Each client’s need is filled differently; not everyone needs the same thing. Empathy has proven to be vital in this motivation. That helps me get them to that space of trust and relaxation so the true them can shine through. My clients work hard and giving them a stress-free path to timeless images is a lovely feeling. Those images can help them do business or life with more intention and gratitude.
Also, I can’t ignore that this is just as much my children’s legacies as mine. They are watching, always, even when you think they aren’t. They are watching my failures and success, but what’s more, they are watching how I handle both. They will benefit from the lessons they will learn watching me on this journey, even as I am learning them myself. I’m excited to guide them along if this path is what they decide to take also. That’s what these Mamou’s do- grow and rise together!
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
Honestly, I could get more clients with hardcore marketing, but the best clients have come strictly from word-of-mouth referrals. There is something about a person you trust telling you to trust someone else. I would listen to that more than a random commercial or Facebook ad. When a client finds me, we have time to get to know each other and make sure we are a great fit because that matters to get the images I’m known for. That connection is vital. Sometimes they walk in already aware of what working with me is like and ready to. Sometimes I must prove myself to earn their trust. Either way, when that connection is correct, the images are magic.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kmamouphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/k.mamouphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kmamouphotography/