We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kenna Porter a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Kenna, thanks for joining us today. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?
In my opinion, what determines success, is the relationships you build and maintain as a business owner.
Success is not a follower-count, it’s not popularity in the industry, and it’s most definitely, not how much money you make.
I’ve spent two years working as a wedding photographer, and I don’t have a ton of followers on Instagram. I’m probably not “well-known” within my industry like some photographers are. However, in my two years I’ve built meaningful relationships with not only other creatives, but also with my clients. I think it’s extremely telling that my clients return to me, time after time, to have me capture their most treasured moments in life. These clients become friends that entrust me to be a part of moments that are oh so special. My success isn’t measured by the material or perishable things in business. My success is measured by the relationships I have been so blessed by throughout this process. Success is being able to build and maintain the trust of the clients you’re serving. To be successful, you have to truly serve your client base. You have to provide them with not only a good product, but great service. You could be the most expensive photographer in the world and charge an arm and a leg for photos, but if you have no relationship with your clients, it means nothing. That’s what I believe it takes to be successful.
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 am a Georgia based wedding photographer. I started photography at a young age (mostly as a hobby) but quickly grew to love it as a career path. It took a few years before I was able to properly establish myself in the industry and as a business owner, Since then, I have been traveling the Southeast, capturing couple’s most treasured moments, and loving every second of it.
I have a documentary approach when it comes to shooting. I love the raw, emotional, and candid moments that accompany a wedding day. I aim to capture a couple’s day “as is,” and don’t often pose or stage anything on a wedding day. I like to think that I differ from other photographers, not only in the creative aspect, but also in the way that I hold myself to a higher standard when it comes to my business. I always put my client first. I am always willing to work with a budget, and find new ways I can bless people through my work- whether that be gifting a session to a family who can’t afford one, discounting a wedding package when I know the couple has fallen on hard times…I try to reflect God as much as I can in my business, and I know that to love like Jesus, I must serve others, even if it’s sometimes inconvenient to me or my business. When you put your clients and others first, everything else in your business will flow accordingly.
I am extremely hard working, but I also love having a good time. I’ll be your biggest hype girl during shoots. I’ll always have snacks and emergency kits on hand in case you need something, and I will be there for you in the the best and worst moments of your life. If you need something, I’ve got you. Photography is not just a transactional process with me. I aim to get to know my couple’s and truly build relationships. I love creating friendships with clients, and checking in even years down the road. Some of my greatest friendships have been brought to me through my business.
My business and the way I run it, are very important to me. I want people to know me not just as their photographer, but as their friend.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
A rewarding aspect of being a creative- is funny enough the creativity that comes with the job. I absolutely love being able to be in a room with hundreds of people, but see things in a completely different way than everyone else. I love testing new lighting, fun poses, or just making a vision come to life. My job never looks the same day to day. Every wedding is different, therefore, every gallery looks different, the couple is different, the flow of the day is different- the atmosphere changes from wedding to wedding.
I love the ability to work from home, or a coffee shop and take my work with me wherever I go. When I travel or go on vacation, most of the time I try to set up photoshoots in those locations, to try something different and meet new people. The flexibility of being a creative is such a reward.
The most rewarding aspect however, is truly seeing the fruits of your labor. Seeing the smiles on client’s faces when they view their gallery for the first time, watching an insecure girl look at a photo of herself on my camera and immediately fall in love with herself again, witnessing the tears on family members faces when they tell me “x family member recently passed and your photo of them was the last one we were able to have.” Seeing how much impact you have, when it comes to the memory of a moment, is incredible. It is by far the most rewarding aspect of this job.
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
This is such a good question, because it definitely opens up a space to educate people on what goes on behind the scenes of a creative’s business.
Most of the time, I unfortunately hear people tell me that my job is “just a hobby” or a “click of a button.” What I wish people knew, is how much blood, sweat, and tears I put forth into my business. It’s not just about taking pictures.
First of all- you have to have an eye and the God-given talent to be a photographer. I don’t believe that just anyone could pick up a camera, and do the same thing I do. You have to be skilled and educated as well. I wish people knew how much learning and practice goes into photography. You can never stop learning new things, and trends change every day, so you’re constantly working to improve your brand and your art, especially if you want to stay relevant.
I wish people saw the work that goes on behind the scenes, after a wedding or session is over. After spending (typically) 12 hours photographing the wedding itself, I spend weeks culling, editing, and crafting the perfect gallery for my clients. Creatives invest so much time and energy behind the scenes, that most people don’t even realize.
On top of the countless hours spent, there’s also thousands of dollars spent. Photographers are constantly having to upgrade their gear. You can’t just pick up a camera and expect it to do a fantastic job for you. There’s different lenses that create different looks or some that work better with different lighting, and so you need multiple lenses to produce the best quality photo. You never want to photograph a wedding or important event without backups, either. If something happens to your camera, you’re responsible for still producing images. Having multiple cameras, lenses, flashes, batteries… all of those things are necessary purchases for a photographer’s business. People often forget that photographers need to both maintain and pay for websites, social media platforms, editing software, etc…
It’s seriously so much more then just “clicking a button.” I think people need to understand the job before passing judgement.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kennacorinnephotography.com
- Instagram: @kennacorinnephoto
- Facebook: @KennaPorter
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenna-porter-5735341b6/
Image Credits
Kenna Corinne Photography