We were lucky to catch up with Kasi McKoy recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kasi, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

As a photographer and videographer, it’s my job to provide and preserve memories. I got into the field about 14 years ago, after the loss of my grandfather. My time with him was short-lived, he transitioned when I was about 12. In losing him, I realized that I didn’t have much to remember him by, we had very few pictures together.

From that moment I learned my passion. I not only wanted to capture my family, but I also wanted to do the same for others. Since then, I’ve used the camera to host and capture some of my family’s best moments and I’ve done the same for nearly 1500 clients through weddings, special events, and photo sessions.

That’s what The Memories Project by Kasi McKoy is all about; creating and preserving special moments.

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’m Kasi McKoy, a professional photographer, and videographer specializing in weddings, lifestyle, and real estate. My wife and I recently relocated from our New Jersey hometown to Atlanta, Georgia to welcome new people and opportunities into our lives. I picked up the camera around age 12. Around that time you could find me shooting anything from flowers, people, and church events, to my friend’s sweet sixteens; if I could shoot it, it was going to be shot. With a career span of nearly 14 years, I have been blessed to create an extremely lengthy and diverse portfolio.

I’d like to highlight personability as the most unique characteristic when it comes to working with me. Most of my client’s feedback has been in reference to charisma, energy, and ability to make them feel great and comfortable in front of the camera. I’m big on relationships. I treat my clients like the superstars that they are. Doing so has led to a strong client retention rate. Most of my clients have been creating with me from the start.

Kasi McKoy Studios looks forward to creating great content and memories with future clientele as well.

We’d love to hear about you met your business partner.

My wife, RAYN, is my partner in life as well as business. RAYN started off as my client, I created music videos for her first music project, SVN. After a number of music videos and an album release party hosted at my studio, we became pretty fond of each other.

Since 2015, our partnership has led to much success and growth of several business ventures: from a radio show, ownership of a photography and video studio, an intimate event venue, and dual acquirement of real estate licenses.

We enjoy traveling the world together for business and pleasure; our portfolio consists of tons of events, and photo shoots, as well as several international and domestic weddings – including our own in Costa Rica.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

Starting a business in your early years has a ton of perks. For myself, starting as a pre-teen meant that I was yet to have bills or responsibilities. Every dollar I made went to paying my tithes and building my business. I was very intentional throughout my building process. As soon as I turned 16 years old, I was hired for my first job at Burger King. Income from the job helped me to buy additional cameras, lenses, and lighting, which I needed to kickstart my career.

In high school, I came up with the idea to sell sweaters with my brand’s name on them. The sweatshirts were a hit. I sold over 400 of them from my hallway locker for $20-$28 a shirt. Those sweatshirts took my business to the next level. I was creating brand recognition and a lucrative stream of revenue.

I was so passionate about building the business that I added three more jobs while studying in college. I was employed at a McDonald’s and Burger King near my college campus and another set of McDonald’s and Burger King when I came home on the weekends, all in between photography and video gigs.

I was able to make money from my business by charging little to nothing for my work. I remember charging $40-60 for photoshoots and $125 for events, no matter how long the event was.

While doing so, my name began to resonate throughout my community. Donations, positive reviews, and gigs were continually coming in and my business has been able to fund itself through revenue ever since.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kasimckoystudios.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/kasimckoystudios
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/kasimckoystudios
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kasimckoy/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCihPLXQ4tZih8QNZCe6MAAA
• Other: https://linktr.ee/Kasimckoystudios

Image Credits
Kasi McKoy Studios Alycia B. Studios