Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Kachel.
Amy, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Both of my parents were educators, and at a pretty young age, I knew that I also wanted to be a teacher. I taught for about six years right out of college, but was fortunate enough at a certain point to be able to stay at home with my children. I was a stay at home mom for several years and loved every minute of it, but as my girls started getting older and didn’t need me at home as much I decided that it was time to rejoin the workforce. I eventually went back to work part-time. I had a few different jobs which included brief stints in retail, interior decorating, and office assistant for a local studio photographer where I handled the business side of things.
After all of these experiences, I was still searching for the right career path. For as long as I can remember, I have loved taking pictures. I had a pretty decent camera at the time, but definitely no technical knowledge of how to use it! With LOTS of encouragement from my husband, family and friends, I decided to give photography a shot. I watched countless photography videos, tutorials on lighting, and was obsessed with the beautiful bokeh I would see in other photographer’s photos. I didn’t stop until I felt like I had created my own unique style.
I had taken some photos of my own children, and photos of some of my friends’ children and a few people started to show interest in my photography. Basically, my business took off with the help and support of my friends posting the photos I had taken of their kids on social media.
I’m so thankful for that push from my husband and the encouragement from family and friends because being a photographer is absolutely a dream job for me. I can’t really even call it to work, because I truly love what I do!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I was so unsure in the beginning. For me, the hardest part was just putting myself out there. It’s so easy to have self-doubt and worry if your work is good enough. Also, it’s hard not to compare your work to the work of others. Photography is a very competitive field. There are so many creative and talented photographers in my area that initially it was very intimidating.
I don’t have any formal training and am a self-taught photographer, so I’ve definitely made mistakes and learned a lot along the way. It’s nice to look back on my early work to see how much it has changed and evolved, but also difficult because I realize just how much I didn’t know in the beginning! I’m still constantly learning new things.
It often takes time to discover what you’re passionate about, what you truly want to pursue in life and to be confident in those choices. So, my advice would be to take chances and step outside your comfort zone. Pursue a career in something that you are passionate about because having a job that inspires and excites you can make all the difference in the world. My business is definitely a source of pride and happiness.
What should we know about Amy K Photography? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
When I started my business in 2013, I took any type of session that came my way. I photographed families, young children, high school seniors, and I’ve even done a few newborn sessions and two weddings. I eventually decided that I would specialize in senior photography because those were the sessions that I truly loved. My own girls are now in their early twenties, but at the time were teenagers so I felt like I could definitely connect and relate to that age group.
My clients and their families are entrusting me with capturing them at a very special time in their lives. Approaching their last year in high school is an exciting time for them, and sessions can oftentimes be emotional for the senior’s parents. These days, senior pictures are so much more than the need for a nice close-up headshot for your school’s yearbook. It’s an experience. When photographing my seniors, it’s not just about showcasing their outer beauty but also about trying to magnify the beauty that lies within them. It’s not always easy to feel confident in front of a camera, especially when there is so much insecurity and comparison at that age. That’s why it’s so important to me to make sure that my seniors feel comfortable during their sessions, which is why I usually meet with them a week or two prior to their photoshoot. I do this mainly because I like to get to know a little bit about their personality, their style, interests and any ideas or expectations they may have. This insight can be invaluable. During each session, I try to focus more on WHAT I’m trying to capture, as opposed to HOW I’m capturing it. Sometimes the moment is more important than the perfect shot.
I’m proud that I’ve been able to create and sustain a business/job that I absolutely love. I’m also proud of the relationships I’ve built with my clients and their families. The work I do has allowed me to meet some wonderful people, many of whom have become return clients and even good friends. I love looking back on my work and remembering how special each senior and session was. Without a doubt, my family, friends, and former clients are the reason my business has grown and been successful.
Do you have any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general? What has worked well for you?
Social media can be an excellent source of inspiration and can help you connect with like-minded people. When starting out in any field, it never hurts to seek advice from someone who’s work you admire. Reach out to them. The worst thing that can happen is they can say no.
After spending a few years in the photography industry, I’ve become friends with a few local photographers. I know not everyone thinks it’s a good idea to be friends with your competition, but I have found that these relationships can be very rewarding. We’ve all been doing this for a while and have our own individual styles, so it’s nice to get together socially and bounce ideas off of one another, go location scouting, or even collaborate on a shoot. Surround yourself with people that build you up.
Also, having a small network of photographers to refer clients to has been wonderful. I don’t photograph weddings or newborns, but I love knowing that my clients will be in good hands when I refer them to another photographer who specializes in those types of sessions.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.amykphotography.com
- Email: amykphotography1@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyk.photography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Amy-K-Photography-392583807480882/
Image Credit:
Personal photo taken by my daughter, Kristin Kachel, All other photos by Amy K Photography
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