We were lucky to catch up with Kianna Wilson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kianna, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s something crazy on unexpected that’s happened to you or your business

I was a photographer at the Preakness concert back in May this year. Thanks to my current job at the news station, I was able to get access to the concert. Thankfully, I knew someone working security so I was able to take photos closer to the stage. It was a great feeling to be able to take photos at the concert to use for my concert portfolio.

As I’m taking photos of the crowd then the performers, there was a point where security asked the photographers to move to the side of the stage. Although majority of us didn’t listen, we were still able to be near the stage. The performer they asked us to be on the side for was Megan Thee Stallion. Everyone knows I love Megan so being on the side of the stage wasn’t enough for me. I got some photos but I needed a better angle. I was able to stand next to these two nice ladies who were standing on the barrier. As I’m on the barrier, Megan is talking to the crowd telling everyone how she wants to bring some fans on stage. As a joke, I waved my cameras up in the air. With that, SHE SAW ME! And asked me to come on the stage. It was an experience I will never forget. I got to dance on the stage with her and meet some of her dancers. At the end of the performance, everyone that was on the stage went backstage. I was able to hand out business cards to everyone and make some business connections. All in all, the experience was amazing. I was able to network, do what I love, and meet my fav artist.

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

When I was a little kid, I loved taking photos on a polaroid or disposable camera. As I entered high school back in 2007, I made photography my major. Although I didn’t get to take the class until my sophomore year, I truly enjoyed it. I took photography from 10th-12th grade and then my freshman year in college. College defeated me a bit and I didn’t pick up my camera again until 2016. That was 4 years without the use of my camera. I took me taking photos at a sunflower field that made me remember why I picked up a camera in the first place.

In 2017. I started Major Ki Photography. Started with my first camera, barely any equipment, no backdrops, just whatever I could find and use, I used. Throughout the years, I’ve purchased more equipment, backdrops, cameras, etc. I’ve had several ups and downs running this business though. Let’s start with the downs, money. This business is an expensive business to invest in. Equipment and cameras are expensive, studio rentals are pricey, it just can be a lot sometimes. The ups though are what make it worth it. I’ve gained clients who have booked with me from someone who recommended me, I’ve been in the local newspaper and news station, taken several concert photos, gained mentors, was able to purchase my LLC (in 2020), etc. This has been an awesome journey.

I want clients who book with me to know that the Major Ki Experience isn’t like every photographer out there. I’ll play music, we can have conversation beforehand, but I will always make sure my clients are comfortable with me before shooting with them. Being in front of a camera can be nerve wrecking so it’s better to have them be comfortable beforehand.

If you have any more questions, you can message me through my website, www.majorkiphotography.com.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

A lesson I had to unlearn is to always be booked and busy. I was always told being booked and busy will get you far in life. But in reality, some of the most successful people that are booked and busy are the most miserable because they are ALWAYS working. How can you enjoy life if you’re always working. Life is too short and I’ve had to learn that over the years.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

When the 2020 Pandemic started, I was devasted. I had so many plans to expand my business and that was all put on hold. For months, I was depressed and had no motivation to create anything. I wouldn’t even look at my camera. And it just felt like time was getting worse: having to constantly stay home. I didn’t know what to do with myself.

It took the black community to lose some of our people for me to get up, get dressed, and protest. When I protested, I brought my camera. With that I was able to capture photos at the protest, share them with a local newspaper, and that’s when this new journey of my photography career began. Being around all those people who had something to stand for, was eye opening. Even though the situation was extremely depressing, the protest was eye opening. And for that, I’m thankful.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.majorkiphotography.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/majorkiphotography
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/majorkiphotography

Image Credits
All photos by me photo 1: Jane Avant and her girls photo 2: fashion girls photo 3: Joyce and her bf Brandon photo 4: Khalid