We were lucky to catch up with Alexey Koyfman recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alexey, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your business sooner or later
I wish that I started my business sooner. Starting a business taught me valuable lessons that I could not have learned in school. Being a business owner changes the way you think. You start thinking about return on your investments in terms of both time and money. Running a business helped me improve my problem-solving, communication, and people skills. Business ownership also taught me the importance of consistency, patience, and long-term planning. I realized that staying in business and serving clients requires continuous effort. Looking back, I think I missed some opportunities by waiting to start. Just like money can grow through compounding, small actions taken earlier can lead to much bigger results over time. Every step and every small success could have helped my business grow even more. That is why I wish I had started sooner.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Koyfman Photo and Video Production is the leading choice for photography and videography in Houston and Galveston. Our services include portraits, family photos, event photography/videography, sports photography/videography, promotional videos, commercials, drone photography/videography, video editing, and social media content creation. We are trusted by families and businesses alike. With over 100 five-star reviews, we are known for capturing stunning, high-quality images that beautifully preserve life’s most important moments. What sets Koyfman Photo and Video Production apart from other photographers and videographers is our focus on creativity, customer service and attention to detail to deliver photos and videos that exceed expectations. We take the time to understand each client’s needs and desired outcome. Our wide range of services make us a one-stop solution for photography, videography, editing, and digital marketing needs. Choosing Koyfman Photo and Video Production means choosing proven professionals dedicated to bring your vision to life.
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki is an excellent book for anyone who wants to develop an entrepreneurial mindset. The book encourages readers to think like business owners and investors. Kiyosaki explains that financial education is one of the most important skills a person can have. The book teaches the importance of taking calculated risks and learning from failures rather than being afraid of making mistakes. Kiyosaki argues that many successful entrepreneurs failed multiple times before achieving success, and each failure helped them gain valuable experience. He encourages readers to view challenges as opportunities to learn and improve. Throughout the book, Robert Kiyosaki encourages readers to think differently about money, business, and investing. Overall, Rich Dad Poor Dad inspires readers to develop an entrepreneurial way of thinking in order to achieve financial independence.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
I pivoted from being exclusively a photographer to becoming a videographer as well. As I gained more experience working with clients, I noticed that the demand for videography was growing much faster than the demand for photography. While photos were still important, more individuals and businesses wanted videos to promote their products, services, and events. Around 2018, I also started seeing a major shift toward short-form vertical content on social media platforms. People were spending more time watching videos on their phones, and social media companies were beginning to prioritize video content over static images.
I realized that this trend would continue to grow and that clients in the future would need more video content to reach their audiences. Because of this, I decided to invest more time in learning video production, editing, storytelling, and motion graphics. I purchased equipment and software that would help me create professional-quality videos. I also practiced filming and editing different types of content to improve my skills. At first, this transition required a lot of work and learning, but I believed it would be worth it in the long run.
My prediction turned out to be correct. Platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube began focusing heavily on short-form video content. Businesses quickly realized that videos often generated more views, engagement, and customer interest than photos alone. When YouTube introduced Shorts, I was fully prepared to take advantage of the opportunity because I had already spent years developing my videography skills. Instead of scrambling to learn a new format, I was ready to create content immediately. Looking back, making the switch from photography to videography was one of the best business decisions I made because it allowed me to stay ahead of industry trends and better serve my clients’ changing needs.
Currently, I am learning how to use artificial intelligence (AI) to create and modify photos, videos and music. Over the past few years, AI technology has improved at an incredible pace. AI could be a game changer for the creative industry in a similar way that digital photography replaced film. AI tools have the potential to help creators produce high-quality content faster and more efficiently than ever before. People who adapt to new technology are often the ones who succeed during the rapid change. By learning AI tools early, I hope to be prepared for future opportunities in order to better serve my clients.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.koyfmanphoto.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/koyfmanphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/koyfmanphoto
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/koyfman/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@1kfmn
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/koyfman-photo-and-video-production-league-city-2?osq=Koyfman+Photo+and+Video+Production
- Other: Our Phone Number is (832) 743-5487
Our email is koyfmanphoto@gmail.com
Our Link Tree is linktr.ee/koyfman
Image Credits
Photos were captured by Koyfman Photo and Video Production.