Today we’d like to introduce you to Khali Hearon
Hi Khali, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I first started taking paid photoshoots back in 2009. At the time I was charging $20-30 for a few photos, which I thought was awesome since I was a high schooler and didn’t have any bills to pay yet (haha). As I got older, I started to branch out doing couples sessions, families, brand photos and grad photos. In. 2016 I shot my first wedding in Las Vegas and the rest is history! I fell in love with photographing weddings and decided to make that my specialty.
I graduated from Arizona State and accepted a full time job in Tempe, while continuing photography on the side. As my business started to grow, it felt like I was working two full time jobs — but I did not feel comfortable enough to take the leap into self employment. I accepted a promotion in 2019, which brought me to Oregon. I met my husband Ryan a week after moving!
Moving a photography business to a new state is a really scary thing! You basically have to start from scratch building up your portfolio and new clientele. I networked with other vendors in the area and did a few free and discounted shoots, which later helped me book real gigs. In spring of 2021, I was able to quit my corporate job and sustain myself solely off my photography business.
That leads me to today, three years of being a full time photographer! I’ve traveled coast to coast photographing couples and weddings. Sometimes I still can’t believe that I’ve met this goal that’s been a dream of mine since I was a curious 12 year old with a camera. It really is the best!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not. The pandemic in 2020 was the biggest challenge I had faced in my photography career, but thankfully I was able to work with most of my couples to reschedule or alter their wedding plans. I have also struggled with the seasonality in my business. Oregon gets a lot more rain, snow and ice than Arizona – so the reschedules are more frequent, and there’s a much longer off-season.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a photographer based in Oregon, but traveling worldwide (I’m headed to Europe this summer!) for weddings, engagements and more.
My style of photography is heavily focused on capturing candid moments and should feel effortless. It should be all about documenting my couples for who they really are and how their day really is. I want them to look back at their photos and feel transported to that exact moment as if they were there.
I think what really sets me apart is who I am as a person and how I incorporate that into the service I deliver. I market myself as “your wedding day hype woman”. I cheer on my couples and do everything I can to break the ice and make them feel comfortable each time they are in front of the camera. If a couple is more introverted or more reserved, I’ll match that energy and provide intentional direction. If they are more outgoing and extroverted, I’ll probably be yelling “slay queen”, and fist pumping the air behind the camera. I believe that this approach is integral to bringing out a couple’s authentic self on their wedding day. Putting my clients at ease and making them, their family and friends feel comfortable is my #1 priority!
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Literally? Being able to provide for my family (which right now includes my husband and our two dogs) – pay bills, go on the occasional trip, etc.
I feel successful in my business when I’m providing an amazing experience to my couples on their wedding day, and giving them beautiful photos that they’ll cherish forever.
Pricing:
- Wedding pricing ranges from $5000-8000 depending on packages and add-ons/travel.
- Local session pricing ranges from $600-900
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kmtphotos.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/kmtphotos_
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/kmttakesphotos
Image Credits
All photos are taken by me