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

Alright, Kimon thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your business sooner or later?

Reflecting on my path, I definitely see the value in starting my wedding photography business sooner. After completing my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography, I faced challenges finding work, which led me back to school for a Master’s. It was during this time that I began working weekends as an assistant and second shooter at weddings, a job that blended well with my studies and slowly transitioned me into accepting my own clients.

Initially, I hesitated to embrace this path fully. I was caught up in what I thought I “should” do, which delayed pursuing what genuinely made me happy. This hesitancy cost me precious time and, in hindsight, some happiness. Once I finally leaned into the career of wedding photography, embracing it fully, everything started to fall into place.

Taking that initial leap was daunting, but the decision felt right once I made it. Although success wasn’t immediate, the early challenges were invaluable. They taught me a lot about resilience and how to navigate the unpredictable world of running a business. Each mistake and growth pain was a lesson in disguise, fortifying my decision-making and problem-solving skills.

The transitions I made—first fully committing to wedding photography in Toronto, then moving to Greece to capture destination weddings—were significant. They were driven by finally listening to what truly made me happy. If I had started on this path right after my studies, I might have reached this personal and professional fulfilment much earlier.

Looking back, I understand that trusting myself and following my passion were key. Despite the delayed start, the journey has been incredibly rewarding, shaping not only my career but also my personal life.

Kimon, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Introduction and Background:

Who You Are: I’m Kimon, a photographer with a passion for capturing the defining moments of your significant events, aiming to be not just your photographer but a guide and a friend through your journey.

Focus on Wedding Photography: Initially hesitant to dive into wedding photography, I found my passion in the fast-paced, emotionally rich environment of weddings. My move to focus on destination weddings in 2016, which took me to Greece, aligned perfectly with my love for travel and photography, making this transition a major but rewarding leap.

Products/Services Offered:

Experiences Over Products: My work transcends traditional photography by offering complete, personalized experiences for eloping and traditional weddings alike.
Special Services: Beyond standard photography, I offer analogue photography and the option to add ‘social media content creation’, offering spontaneous captures for authentic sharing to your social channels.
Extended Services: I provide more than photography; my services include pre-session consultations, recommendations for stunning locations, and planning support to ensure everything is perfect.
Problems You Solve for Clients:

Personal Approach: My clients often become friends, and I extend my help beyond photography to include all aspects of their wedding and visit to Greece.
Bespoke Experience: Every service I provide is customized to enhance the client experience, ensuring every couple feels special and thoroughly enjoys their big day without stress.
What Sets You Apart:

Commitment to Inclusivity: As a queer business owner, I am committed to capturing and celebrating love in all its forms. My work promotes inclusivity and equality, ensuring every couple feels valued and respected, regardless of gender or orientation.
Achievements and Pride:

One of my proudest achievements was being trusted to shoot a destination wedding with a non-traditional portfolio, paving the way for further opportunities in this niche.
Notable Projects: I co-started a line of mementos, which represents a collaborative and creative aspect of my business that continues to grow and inspire.
Key Messages for Potential Clients/Followers/Fans:

Eloping and Authenticity: Eloping is about celebrating love authentically and courageously, reflecting the couple’s true selves. I am ready to travel anywhere to capture these moments, ensuring the experience is as genuine as the couple’s love.
Personal Connection:

Vulnerability and Connection: I believe in the power of vulnerability, both in my personal approach to taking photos and how I interact with clients and followers, striving to maintain authenticity in every interaction.
Influence of Personal Interests: Drawing from my love for travel, classic European cinema, and the contemplative atmosphere of cafés where one can lose themselves in a good book and savor a glass of wine, I bring a sense of timeless narrative and intimate detail to my photography. These elements inspire me to capture moments with a focus on authenticity and a deep appreciation for the subtleties of human interaction.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My creative mission is driven by a renewed passion for analogue photography, capturing timeless moments on film that reconnect me with my early photographic training since my university days. We were among the last groups trained in analogue techniques, and I fondly remember the detailed process of scanning our film and using Photoshop 7 to remove dust, a task so painstaking that it often drove me back to the comfort of the darkroom. After graduation, as digital photography became more popular, I adapted to the new technology to stay relevant, though I occasionally kept up with film as a hobby.

For a brief period, I even managed a photography store and lab that specialized in film cameras and development. However, in a moment I now regret, I sold most of my cameras, keeping only a few cherished ones. This decision marked a temporary step back from film photography, but it never truly left me. In recent years, I’ve reinvested myself in this art form, adding analogue shoots to my portfolio of destination weddings.

Today, my mission is to revive this old love for film photography that I mistakenly set aside. Now the niche of capturing weddings and elopements on film has become increasingly popular. I am on a creative mission to capture as much love as possible on film, allowing my clients to see the magic of having their day captured in this timeless medium. This approach not only reconnects me with my initial passion for photography but also distinguishes my work in a digital age.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Here’s a more resonating version of your story about the pivotal move to Greece:

My pivotal moment came when I decided to move from Toronto to Santorini. While my business in Toronto was thriving, I felt a void—travel was a missing piece. Initially, adding destination weddings led me mostly to resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean. But after several seasons, coupled with the rising cost of living and inflation in Toronto, I reached a critical point. The paths before me were clear: either scale my business into a larger studio, which I was reluctant to do, or continue raising my prices and expanding services. However, both options had their limits in terms of growth and personal satisfaction.

I realized that if I continued on this path, I’d likely have the same lifestyle for years to come. I wanted something different, something more. So, I made a bold decision. After fulfilling all my contracts in Toronto, I moved to Santorini. This decision wasn’t made lightly, but the timing felt right, especially when a company took a chance on me and provided some regular photo work to help me get on my feet—a shout out to Flytographer for their support.

This pivot was transformative. Suddenly, clients were seeking me out for my unique style and approach, something that had been less distinctive in Toronto’s saturated market. In Greece, not only did I stand out, but I was also able to charge what I truly felt my experience warranted. It was the biggest risk I’ve ever taken, but undoubtedly the most rewarding. Being of Greek descent helped, though acquiring citizenship had its challenges. Ultimately, this move not only changed my business but redefined my entire life, allowing me to embrace a lifestyle that I had always envisioned.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kimonkaketsis.ca
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimon/
• Other: https://gr.pinterest.com/kimonkaketsis/