Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kendra Greshik. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Kendra, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Alright, let’s jump into one of the most exciting parts of starting a new venture – how did you get your first client who was not a friend or family?

A lot of my work in the beginning was for friends or people I had met through college events who liked my work. The first dollar I made, where I had never met the client before, was actually for a wedding (crazy it wasn’t just a small shoot). I had taken some family photos for a friend of a friend, who then showed her co-worker. That co-worker knew someone getting married who was still looking for a photographer and thought they would like my work. It was an insane funnel of word-of-mouth, making it such a fun story for how my business made its first dollar!

Kendra, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Hi!! My name is Kendra and I am a Catholic Wedding Photographer and story-telling photographer based in St. Paul, Minnesota. I started making highlight videos in high school, and that slowly evolved into a love of taking photos. At first, I felt very lost as to what I wanted to specialize in because I wanted to make images that would matter in 10, 20, or even 50 years, and then I discovered my LOVE for taking images of the Mass and preserving couples’ special moments in a cinematic light. I knew I was creating art here and sharing the love of God by doing something I love. I found my purpose.

I strive to tell a story as it authentically unfolds. I want to show the way a mom tears up as she helps the bride get zipped into her wedding gown, the way little ones run around as their parents are baking in the kitchen, the way a guy looks at his girl as she spins around in a pretty white dress, the Body of Christ elevated just moments before the bride and groom receive communion for the first time as husband and wife, and finally how people celebrate one of the best days of a couples life Life is so beautiful and joyful, and I would love to be able to document yours to preserve it for generations to come.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

The mission behind my creative journey is to serve the Lord with my lens. I have been able to meet so many incredible people because of my job, but I have also learned how many people haven’t felt seen and loved by their photographers. By serving my clients in the best way possible, I believe I am bringing the love of Jesus to their feet.

“There is but one thing for us to do in the night of this life and that is to love, to love Jesus with all the energy of our heart and to save souls so that He may be loved by them” – St. Therese of Lisieux

Can you share one of your favorite marketing or sales stories?

Yes! So when I first decided I wanted to step more into Catholic Wedding Photography I didn’t really know where to market or how to emphasize I was aiming exclusively towards faithful weddings. I was at a networking event I went to every month and decided to introduce myself as Kendra – Catholic Wedding Photographer instead of Kendra – Documentary Photographer. One of the girls in the group started following me on Instagram that night and a couple of months later dm’ed me and asked if I traveled for weddings (I was still in college at the time). She was getting married in Mexico where she grew up, loved my style, and said she would love to have a specifically Catholic photographer. I later found out she was talking to multiple INCREDIBLE photographers, but she and her husband ended up choosing me! I was absolutely shook and speechless because two of the photographers she was talking to are my biggest inspirations. Just to be considered for work that they were considered for was an insane compliment. It truly showed me that you don’t have to be in the industry for years and years and have this insane following on Instagram; all I needed was creative passion and to be connected with the right people.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kendragphotography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kendrag.photography/
• Other: Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/kendragphotography/

Image Credits

Kendra G Photography