Today we’d like to introduce you to Keya.
Hi Keya, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
In 2017, when I was 12 or 13 years old, I would always take pictures of random things like food and plants on my iPhone and try to make them look aesthetically pleasing, especially with Snapchat filters. I got my first camera when I was in middle school, and at first, I didn’t use it as much, but as the years went on, I used it more and more. I started taking pictures of food, my family, my dog, and anything I found to be pretty. It was in my senior year that I decided to take photography seriously. During high school, I participated in a dual enrollment program where I took college classes and got college credit while still in high school. To make sure photography was the right fit for me, I took a digital photography class at our local community college, where I learned about things like ISO, aperture, and how to use the editing software Photoshop. I also found a job on the Nextdoor app as a photographer’s assistant to gain experience and see what it’s like behind the scenes of a photoshoot. The more serious I became about photography, the more I started to shoot and use my friends and family as models. Eventually, I made an Instagram account called @keya.originals to showcase my work and put myself out there. I went to Columbia College, SC, then decided to transfer and expand my knowledge of photography by taking a certificate program at my local community college. Nowadays, I still work as a photographer’s assistant and use good ole YouTube and the internet to learn what I want to know. I attend local events and shoot portraits and event photography in the DMV area. To get to where I am today, I had to be open to trying new things, consistently learning, and putting myself out there! Practice makes perfect.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has been a challenging road. Photography is all about trial and error. I’m more of a hands-on, in-person learner, and at first, I didn’t know anybody in the photography industry, so I was self-taught. What comes with learning on your own is discipline and consistency, which I struggled with a lot. I would be trying something new in Photoshop, and it wouldn’t come out right, so I’d stop editing and only revisit the picture for a few weeks or months. However, I’ve improved by taking little breaks and trying again the next day. I also took an in-person Photoshop class to help me with any issues that came along the way. Next, posing can be tricky sometimes. That’s why, before a shoot, I create a mood board and look up different poses to use as a guide. Also, my kindness and appearance—a small young black woman with a light, youthful face—make it challenging for some people to take me seriously in the industry. That’s why my work speaks for itself.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a photographer who helps bring people’s visions to life and evoke emotion through compelling images. I specialize in portrait, lifestyle, and event photography. I’m very proud of my ability to keep going and persevere even when I want to give up. My adaptability, versatility, and attention to small details make me stand out.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from growing up.
My favorite childhood memory was when I was four years old, decorating the Christmas tree with my grandma and brother while my mom cooked. What makes this memory unique are my emotions: happiness and excitement, which I always loved about the holidays. It’s one of the few memories I vividly remember from a young age.
Pricing:
- •$75 30-minute session with 6-7 edited images
- •$90 1-hour session with 12-14 edited images
- •$120 1hr 30minute session with 18-21 edited images
- •$5 for any additional image
Contact Info:
- Website: https://keyaoriginals.myportfolio.com/?fbclid=PAAaYKVBATBOuttURn4z3lK-tTMMivloS87cxv66ZCW_w3lnF4EuFj12wUaz8_aem_AY5Et8wO4TgguUts8r1ckXFB2c0PbIZQ0zMzrskGPWW8BtSscIqXnH0XStCa65zYudc
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/keya.originals?igshid=MmIzYWVlNDQ5Yg==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090192863553&mibextid=LQQJ4d
Image Credits
Makeya D.
