Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaia Calhoun.
Kaia, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My love for photography started when I was just a kid. My parents bought me a little neon green rectangle of a film camera and I took it everywhere with me. They obviously saw I loved it and continued to upgrade my camera over the years until I received my starter DSLR when I was a junior in high school. I started photographing for the high school yearbook and loved it. I’d found my niche, photojournalism.
When I naturally progressed through college with and art degree and into a photography business of my own it was only natural that my photos took on a “candid” or photojournalistic (as I prefer to say) feel. I love photographing my clients just as they are. I’ve always thought that was more than enough, that each and every person is beautiful in their own right and I love capturing that on camera for them and others to see.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I survive the rigors of owning and operating my own photography business because of my laid back personality. That carries into each session and wedding in a way that, I’ve been told, makes my clients feel equally laid back and at ease. As a result, I’ve had very few bumps along the way.
My very first weddings and sessions were bumpy only because I was just learning how to do this photography business thing. Then I got into a rhythm of preparation with bringing pose ideas to each shoot. Eventually, I fell into a natural rhythm using favorite poses altered to fit each client and in that comfortability, I’ve been able to let my natural eye for new poses have room to wander too. Then I had kids of my own.
That was the next bump in the road. Reconciling a passion for photography and a passion for being a great mom was a challenge, to say the least. I had a husband on tour with Citizen Way for about half the year so solo parenting was as normal to me as having my support. The gaps I’ve found in my schedule change all the time; they change as naps and emotional needs change. Currently, for example, I can work when my kids are napping, when they are in bed for the night, and when they are playing contentedly by themselves.
Yes, this means I spend less hours on my photography business than I used to, but I get just as much work done. How? I’ve become excellent at time management and prioritizing. I also streamlined my processes in several ways like utilizing Honeybook, really honing in on my editing style so I don’t fuss with each picture so much, I hire editing help as needed (mostly for high volume weddings), and the like.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Kaia Calhoun Photography story. Tell us more about the business.
Kaia Calhoun Photography was first known as a Sunshine Moment. I switched the name some years back to make it more obvious who I was and what service I supplied, photography. My style is photojournalistic so the clients that hire me are looking for someone to capture them as they are.
To me, it’s in every day, in life as it is, that clients are the most beautiful. I love capturing their uniqueness and making it shine.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I don’t believe in luck. I believe that every client that comes my way is a direct blessing and perfect fit from God. In fact, I pray that often, that the Lord would bring me only the clients He wants me to serve – no more, no less. It’s the most beautiful part of my business model.
Pricing:
- Weddings start at $2200 and include 6 hours of service, all digital files, and an engagement session
- Families start at $150
- Birth photography is $600 and includes coverage during active labor and all the digital files
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kaiacalhounphotography.com
- Phone: 6126164360
- Email: kaiacalhounphotography@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaiacalhoun/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kaiacalhounphotography/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/KaiaCalhounPhot
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/kaia-calhoun-photography-janesville
- Other: https://blog.kaiacalhounphotography.com/
Image Credit:
Headshot: Cling & Peck
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