We were lucky to catch up with Vera Melissa You recently and have shared our conversation below.
Vera Melissa , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?
My studio name is Studio Kho. The name Kho came from my father who passed away back in 2019 from cancer and other health related issues. He is a Cambodian refugee who came to America in the 70s from a genocide that occurred. When my father passed away that was when I started my professional photography career and opening up my studio in 2020. I was adventuring around the city of Philadelphia networking and meeting other local photographers and came across a small photography studio. It didn’t have much to work with but just basic backdrops and lighting. I thought to myself I can do something like this and do it better. I worked at a small barbershop in Fishtown and managed my funds to start my own photography business. After working at the shop for 5 years that was when I transitioned to photography full time and named the studio after my father, Studio Kho.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
When I was a little girl I have always had a business mindset. When I learned a new skill set I tend to figure out a way to make money. (Example: in 3rd grade, a school counselor taught me how to knit. When I learned the basics I wrote down a price list of what I can make and sell). I collected coins from around my house and taken coins from my mother’s purse, then over time I counted every penny, nickel, dime and quarters that my little hand can grab. I was always obsessed with having money and making money. I tried to sell things around the house to make a few bucks as a preteen and worked my first job the moment I turned 16. I have always been obsessed with cameras and found anything eye-catching to take. I didn’t take my photography seriously until the end of 2019. I was working at a small barbershop in Fishtown Philadelphia for 5 years and decided to purchase my first professional camera, a Canon T7i. I honed my skills at the shop, and then expanded to meeting and learning from other local photographers. I jumped around photography studios and observed every little thing I can learn. I decided to open up a small 400 square feet studio during 2020 to hone my craft and play around with my inexpensive lighting equipments, then I was able to expand to my now large 1750 square feet studio with 8 tall beautiful windows that brings in natural light, a separate makeup room, and an office. I shared my space to local creatives and I was able to build a community around Studio Kho. I have hosted monthly content shoots, a women empowerment event, workshop classes, etc. I want current and potential clients/followers/fans to know I try my best to make things affordable to help my community learn, grow and to have fun in my space. I want them to learn from me and for myself to also learn from them, because without the community I wouldn’t be where I am at now.
Have you ever had to pivot?
I’ve had my fair share of depression and lack of creativity for a good 6 months to almost a year. It even affected my business and people questioned how long I was going to do this for. It was the time where I was discovering who I should have in my life. That involved family, friends and romantic relationships. I’ve realized that building a solid relationship with high energy, and goal-driven people helped my move past my depressed phase. Even though I wasn’t in the mood to start a new project or pick up my camera, I forced myself to do it to prove that I can still do it. My heart and mind wasn’t into creating anything but the people I surround myself with helped me surpass the darkest moments of my life. I started to change my habits to listening to podcasts, reading, and hitting up the gym when I felt so alone. Changing my habits fueled my creativity and I am able to continue working on new projects and ways to give back.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
The most effective strategy is to build solid relationships with anyone you meet. I love talking to anyone and everyone who comes into my studio. Growing up I was very anti-social and didn’t develop any type of social skills because my parents would keep me in the house. I started developing my socials skills after high school, working a few jobs but mostly from the barbershop I worked at when I started at 22. I believe I mastered the art of talking to people from all walks of life. My boss at the time was such an extrovert and just observing how he talks to clients helped me in the long run and how to build solid connection. Once you build a solid connection and your service is top notch, people will talk and word of mouth can take you so far.
Contact Info:
- Website: StudioKho.com
- Instagram: @veramelissaphotography and @studio.kho
- Facebook: Studio Kho