We were lucky to catch up with Kristin Komander recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kristin, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?

When I was starting out on my journey in photography, I faced the difficult task of selecting a name for my business. I was certain that the name had to be memorable and reflective of both my personality and the reputation I aspired for my photography business. I brainstormed numerous ideas, yet none truly resonated with me. It was my Mom who ultimately proposed the name “Smiles by KK.”

Throughout my life, I’ve been referred to as “KK,” derived from my initials. “Smiles by KK” seemed perfectly fitting because in every photography session I undertake, my primary objective is to capture genuine smiles. I aim not only to create beautiful portraits but also to ensure that my clients have a great experience, leaving the session with smiles on their faces, especially the little ones! For me, a successful session is one in which I achieve just that. So the name stuck, and the business began!

Kristin, 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?

I’m Kristin, and I’m a professional photographer specializing in capturing the magic of children and families in southeast Michigan. My journey into photography began a few years ago, following an eight-year career in the mortgage industry. Seeking a change that would allow me to be more present with my family, especially my daughter, and a career that I would genuinely love and that would provide a better work-life balance, I decided to take a leap into the captivating world of photography.

My passion for creating moments that bring joy to people’s lives drove me to pick up my first camera and plunge headfirst into the realm of photography. I dedicated countless hours to educating myself about every facet of photography, transforming my passion into a thriving business.

My primary focus has gravitated towards children and family portraits, as they resonate most deeply with me. What sets me apart from many photographers is my commitment to an exceptionally fast turnaround time – a trait I’ve carried from my previous career. In the mortgage industry, I was accustomed to a 24-hour response time for all communications, and I’ve carried that sense of urgency into every aspect of my photography business.

I take immense pride in the fact that I’ve actualized a long-held childhood dream of starting and running my own business independently. There’s a profound sense of accomplishment in creating something that resonates with people and, at the same time, can help support my family’s livelihood.

To anyone considering my services, I want to convey that my utmost goal is to ensure that every client, without exception, feels at ease, enjoys a memorable experience, and receives portraits that they will treasure for a lifetime.

I cannot overstate the value I place on the clients I’ve had the privilege of meeting and who have entrusted me with the responsibility of preserving their precious memories with their children and families.

For me, photography is timeless. The portraits taken are something that will live on throughout generations that families can look back on remembering every stage of life, and that is truly special. I am very honored to be a part of making that happen for so many amazing people.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

In my experience, the most valuable avenue for attracting new clients has been through word of mouth. When clients who have previously worked with me and had an exceptional experience share their positive feedback with others, it plays a pivotal role in influencing potential clients to select me as their photographer.

Photography, in my view, is one of those industries where recommendations hold substantial sway. In a market teeming with countless photographers, it’s the reviews and personal endorsements that can make a significant difference in helping prospective clients make their choices.

Following every session, I consistently place a high priority on requesting feedback from my clients in the form of a review whether that be on social media, Google, etc. This practice serves a dual purpose: not only does it aid potential clients in discovering my services (thanks to the wonders of algorithms!) and others experiences with my services, but it also provides me with valuable insight into what aspects of their experience clients cherished most, and what I may be able to do to make it an even more exceptional experience the next time.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Navigating social media can be quite challenging. Unfortunately, for most businesses, it often feels like the algorithm is working against them. From my understanding, only a meager 4% of your page’s followers will actually see any given post. This limited reach can be discouraging, especially if you have a substantial following. For instance, with 1,000 followers, your posts typically only reach around 40 people.

Recently, social media platforms introduced the @followers and @everyone tags in groups and pages, allowing you to notify all your followers. However, I would exercise caution in using this feature too frequently, as, like most people, I wouldn’t want to be bombarded with notifications constantly. I recommend reserving this feature for important announcements such as sales or urgent updates.

Some strategies I’ve discovered that can help improve engagement and broaden your post’s reach include hosting giveaways. These tend to garner higher engagement and consequently boost your post visibility. Additionally, encouraging people to tag your business when they post their portraits can be beneficial. When someone sees their friends or family members have had portraits done by you and visits your page, it can potentially expand your audience.

Consistent posting and active engagement with your followers on your business page also play pivotal roles in fostering a stronger online presence.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.smilesbykk.com
• Instagram: @smilesbykkphotography
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/smilesbykk/
• Other: Portfolio: https://smilesbykk.pixieset.co