We had the good fortune of connecting with Kristina Kaylen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kristina, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I started photographing on the side when I was 18 years old to help pay my way through college. Turns out after school and a decade later this is now my full-time career with 5 team members! I graduated with my Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration from Thomas Edison State University with a focus in professional photography. The more I looked into the corporate world the more I realized I just wanted to be a small business owner. I love being on the ground level talking with my clients and helping them in any way I can. What started out as a simple hobby of taking headshots and family photos has now turned into a full time career supporting multiple team members and my own growing family. We are excited to announce that we are expecting our first little one this year!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
When you say, “I work in wedding photography” most people’s first reaction is that they know someone or have a friend who does it on the side. The industry literally ranges from iPhone users to professionals who bring thousands of dollars of equipment. One of the most challenging aspects of the industry can be differentiating the hobbyist from a professional while in a casual conversation relating to workplaces. Easy casual conversation generally starts with asking about each other’s work and livelihood. In an industry that is saturated with non-professionals, hobbyist, and side hustler wannabes the challenge to actually set your company a part is enormous. Our small business operates Tuesday through Friday and works events on the weekends. Wedding photography/videography is more than just pulling out a camera and cashing a check. It is hours of contract negations, timeline assistance, wedding planning, marketing, and responding to emails/calls/text. It’s a full time office job with weekend responsibilities. The actual event itself takes a very small portion of the job title. Most of a professional wedding photographer/videographer’s roles are marketing guru, advertising specialist, contract negotiator, wedding planner, counselor/hype person to the bride and groom, software editing professional, and more.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Michigan has so many gorgeous places to visit, from the billowing beach waves off Lake Michigan to ice skating at Martius Park in downtown Detroit. Personally some of my favorite spots include visiting the University of Michigan Museum of Art in Ann Arbor, shopping at The Clothing Cove and Tenacity Boutique in downtown Milford, grabbing a cup of coffee from Brighton Coffee House and Theater in Brighton, eating ice-cream sundaes from M Street Bakery in Howell, going out for dinner at China Cafe in Novi, or simply strolling the downtown streets of Howell. I of course would also recommend trying to catch a Red Wings game at Little Caesars arena. 🙂

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I could not have come as far as I have without the support of my amazing husband! He has been there every step of the way. Whether it was late night strategy talks about how to expand the business, helping me carry equipment out to the car, or shooting alongside me, he is the one person who has always stood beside me as I have delved into the small business world!

Website: www.kristinakaylenweddings.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/kristinakaylen

Twitter: www.twitter.com/kristinakaylen

Facebook: www.facebook.com/kristinakaylen

Youtube: www.youtube.com/kristinakaylen

Image Credits
Copyright Kristina Kaylen LLC

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