Our Photography Journal: Day 29 : Sister Friend Assistant

We are telling our story of how we entered into

this photography journey and how things began for us……

Our Story!

All the years!

Giving a Big Shout out to my girl my friend my sister. So to tell you the truth sometimes you are blessed with a friend who is in your corner to cheerlead support be a listening ear be a laborer a second shooter if needed no matter what is needed my girl is always down for the cause.

Tonyia Lowe

Every idea concept event that we planned to put together I can count on Tonyia to be there.

I’ve hosted many events celebrations workshops and more and each time I let Tonyia know I need your help.

Without hesitation she lend me a hand to assist wherever and whenever I needed a hand …

She’s also been a customer of our services… family photos sweet 16 maternity wedding she has supported

Planning an event she’s there

I’m doing a photo event she’s there

I’m doing a commercial for my products she’s there

I’m hosted an event for the business she there

I need an assistant with photography job she’s there

So on this 29th day of my photo journal

I’m giving a very public thanks and appreciation for my girl who’s holds me down whenever I need assistance

Just a heads up we got more work to do so get ready!!

Love ya

It’s Our Anniversary!

15 years and counting…

Kustom Kreation Photography

www.Kustomkreations4u.com

#itsouranniversary #dslrcamera #ourjourney

Our Photography Journal: Day 28 : Design Your Destiny with Tierra Destiny

We are telling our story of how we entered into this photography journey and how things began for us……

Our Story!

The Year 2012

Design your Destiny with Tierra Destiny

We were introduced to Tierra Destiny by our Friend Kara Norman.

Kara, thought Tierra was someone I definitely needed to know My first meeting with Tierra was by phone.

A bit nervous about meeting hearing about all the amazing things she was doing in the business world. When we spoke Tierra she was so real authentic and down to earth. She presented me with an opportunity to come to her conference Design Your Destiny Atlanta ( this was a 3 city conference tour). Kara Norman and I were able to capture moments from this awesome event.

Tierra was so impressed with our work we did she invited us to come to the other cities. I was able to make arrangement and travel to DC which turned out to be another amazing experience and the connections made were just what I needed

As time moved on Tierra ( An amazing Business Coach and Trainer) would constantly pour into me with her knowledge and experience. This time in our journey was a more challenging time. It was during this time in our journey we had received the last of our unemployment benefits. For the 1st time ever we looked to make this photography thing work as a means of supporting ourselves and family.

We made the choice to bet on ourselves!

So the coaching that Tierra would provide to me was so priceless.

She referred me to some awesome clients and she constantly opened many doors of opportunity. I’m so thankful for the many impactful experiences during our times together I’ve learned so much and appreciate those who come into your life at just the right time

Love ya T!

It’s Our Anniversary! 15 years and counting…

Kustom Kreation Photography

www.Kustomkreations4u.com

#itsouranniversary#dslrcamera#ourjourney

Our Photography Journal: Day 26 : Jade Ladson -Special Event Planner Extraordinaire

We are telling our story of how we entered into this photography journey and how things began for us……Our Story!

The Year 2010

Jade Ladson Special Event Planner Extraordinaire

She came to us from a referral from Brandi Starr

Jade, reached out to us for an event she had coming up And needed a photographer.

We came serviced the event everything turned out great.

After the event Jade arranged for a meeting with her to learn more about our services. We are able to meet and I was able to share more of our photography services and shared our portfolio of our custom decoration that we’ve created thus far.

From that meeting Jade hired us for more events. We were thankful for the opportunities she presented to us. In the process of the growing relationship between our companies Jade became a business mentor assisting with many internal challenges that we would face as a small growing company. She assisted with our communication style in dealing with unhappy clients as well as helping us to manage our emotions in business.

We continued to work together more events and custom decorations.

One major opportunity that came to us via Jade Ladson (The Special Occasion) She placed an order with us for a custom Polo Inspired theme party supplies we created this project for the client and posted our creation on our blog. This particular project we organically began to received clients all over the country requesting orders for these collection.

For the next several years (2011- 2014) This was our top selling collection to date. We could go on and on about Jade and the work she done as an wedding planner, event planner Business mentor (coach) & Problem solver. So very thankful for the referral and all the history that was created in between.

Jade Ladson currently is the principal planner and owner of J.Ladson Weddings Full Service Wedding Planning Firm https://www.jladsonweddings.com/

It’s Our Anniversary!

15 years and counting…

Kustom Kreation Photography

www.Kustomkreations4u.com

Our Photography Journal: Day 25 : Networking

We are telling our story of how we entered into this photography journey and how things began for us……

Our Story!

The Year : 2010

Networking

This was the year when we made a point to attend networking events.

Initially I was calling up my buddies and friends and we would go out to some pretty good networking events meeting all types of business owners and professional.

When others weren’t able to make it I had enough confidence to start going on my own.

To this day I have many connections from that time that are in my networking circle today!

It’s Our Anniversary!

15 years and counting…

Kustom Kreation Photography

www.Kustomkreations4u.com

Our Photography Journal: Day 24 : Experience Photography Workshop

We are telling our story of how we entered into this photography journey and how things began for us……Our Story!

The Year : 2010

Experience Photography Workshop

We were inspired by Brandi Starr

That there was a photography workshop by Ross Oscar Knight taken place and it would be a good idea if I was able to attend. After doing the research and receiving the cost of attendance I was on a mission to go. Once again I reached out to my oldest brother and ask if he wanted to invest in my future and how taking this class will make a difference in my photography journey.

My brother than sent me a portion of the monies to attend the class and I was able to hustle up the remains. The cost of class was $950

So happy to be in attendance the class was just like the name of the workshop : Experience. Photographers from all around the country was in class to develop and learn.

1st day was all about photography and Toss equipped us with his formula in taking pictures the 2nd day was all about the business of photography. There was also two sets of models during our workshop where we all were able to capture images to display our different styles. We were able to submit our images to get honest feedback.

Despite equipment intimidation and the need to advance my gear

This workshop allowed me to open myself up more to the world of photography all the possibilities and to network with fellow photographers from around the country.

If you are not familiar with Ross Oscar Knight check it out his work is phenomenal https://www.rossoscarknight.com/

It’s Our Anniversary!

15 years and counting…

Kustom Kreation Photography

www.Kustomkreations4u.com

Our Photography Journal: Day 23 : Milestone Dinner Party & Aj'sCatering

We are telling our story of how we entered into this photography journey and how things began for us……Our Story!

The Year : 2009

Milestone Dinner Party & AJs Catering aka Anthony James

December 2009

We were booked to capture images of a milestone birthday dinner party. The dinner setup for the guest was all so beautiful I hadn’t seen anything like it. There was a fellow at the table and I ask if I could take his pictures ( not being familiar with any of the guest at the party I thought he was a guest)

After learning he was the caterer I knew this was a person that we definitely wanted to keep up with.

We are telling our story of how we entered into this photography journey and how things began for us……Our Story!

The Year : 2009

Milestone Dinner Party & AJs Catering aka Anthony James

December 2009

We were booked to capture images of a milestone birthday dinner party. The dinner setup for the guest was all so beautiful I hadn’t seen anything like it. There was a fellow at the table and I ask if I could take his pictures ( not being familiar with any of the guest at the party I thought he was a guest)

After learning he was the caterer I knew this was a person that we definitely wanted to keep up with.

I proudly wear my AJs Catering Apron when duty Calls.

So thankful of that day in December when I didn’t just meet caterer I met a friend someone I can now call brother!!!

Love you

It’s Our Anniversary! 15 years and counting…

Kustom Kreation Photography

www.Kustomkreations4u.com

Our Photography Journal: Day 22 : Certified Event Planner

We are telling our story of how we entered into this photography journey and how things began for us……

Our Story!

The Year : 2009

Certified Event Planner

This particular year we had added celebration decorations to what we do and open a Etsy shop and we are now selling the things we make. Always wanting to learn more after searching through Craigslist I came across an event training certificate class this was a perfect opportunity to enhance my knowledge and skill and learn more of this party stuff that I’m doing Signed up attended them class and walked away with a wealth of knowledge

The instructor Helena Paschal was great very knowledgeable about everything regarding events planning marketing and how to get paid what I learned in class was more than me making cupcake toppers ,banners for parties and making things look cute It would be 2years later before I saw Helena again and this time is was for a grand opening of her business initially when I signed up I didn’t know whose event it was I just knew from the description of the event it would be fabulous and it did not disappoint.

When I saw my instructor Helena I was at awww and I ask did she remember me and she said to me nice and graceful “I never forget my students” After the re acquaintance I ask if it was alright to take a few pictures at the event. It was at that time my Instructor learned of my photography business. It would be several other events I attended of hers and would share my images that she gave me the opportunity of hiring me for many of her events.

Our services were able to assist in building portfolio images capturing headshots for her and other students of her event certification classes and capturing special events. We went on to be published in online publications and more

To this day my instructor Helena has assisting us in this journey referring our business in her classes providing business coaching support and having our photography work published.

Helena Paschal is currently residing in Houston and hosting a women’s retreat this October 1-3 , 2021

Grab your tickets today!

https://www.pinkchampagneretreat.com/

Also to become certified in event planning sign up for her classes : http://correlationsllc.com/

It’s Our Anniversary!

15 years and counting…

Kustom Kreation Photography

www.Kustomkreations4u.com

Our Photography Journal: Day 21 : Work Life Photography Balance!

We are telling our story of how we entered into this photography journey and how things began for us……

Our Story!

Work Life Photography Balance!

So as I continued my journey in photography and was seizing every opportunity that I could. Our schedule as a family was pretty full being a solo parent and having a elementary student and a toddler can keep a person pretty busy!

The passion for succeeding in this photography thing was burning inside of me and kept me going… I was active in my sons school as a parent he was in activities and sports kept up with my youngest son who was very toddler while still pursuing my photography endeavors and working …..

In the words of rapper Fat Joe : Nothing can stop us We are all the way up!!!

It’s Our Anniversary!

15 years and counting…

Kustom Kreation Photography & Celebration Decor

www.Kustomkreations4u.com

Our Photography Journal: Day 20: Brandi Starr & Social Media Networking

We are telling our story of how we entered into this photography journey and how things began for us……Our Story!

The Year :2009Brandi Starr &Social Media Networking

2009 this was the year we joined a variety of social media platforms

Facebook

Twitter

I was a very active user on Twitter out there talking and chatting it up on the internet streets.

One person in particular I was having conversation with was Brandi Starr At that time was a wedding/ special Event planner

We connected and would chat online. This particular year her Birthday came up and she decided instead of throwing herself a party she would donate her time and celebrate her birthday with the children of Our House ( an organization that helps homeless families)

She reached out to me to see if I would be willing to come capture images of the day. I was thrilled to be apart of this great event. To go one step further I told Brandi I would donate some of my customize décor to bring along.

The event turned out great. The staff the children were very pleased with the celebration and I was thankful to be apart. After that event Brandi later reached out to me to be the photographer for another event this time is was paid gig from one of her corporate clients. I was thrilled and excited that she ask me to be the photographer. (yay me!!!)

Now this is when I had to step my game up....

She ask me to send over my contract so we can get things squared away…..

Well uhhh ummmm I didn’t have a contract didn’t know what one look like.... so what was I to do…..

well good ole google.com to the rescue found me a template put me an agreement in place and there you have it….

I’m a professional photographer I got a contract I’m hired by an event planner and….. drum roll please I got a corporate client!!!

It’s Our Anniversary!

15 years and counting…

Kustom Kreation Photography & Celebration Decor

www.Kustomkreations4u.com

Our Photography Journal: Day 19: Kustom Celebration Decorations

We are telling our story of how we entered into this photography journey and how things began for us……Our Story!

The Year :2009

Kustom Celebration Decorations

Oh what a pivotal year this was so before we dive into it.. this major event change things for us totally.

When my Aunt called onto me to co host my cousins baby shower I was thrilled to be apart.

We put ideas together and we would meet plan and shop

My Aunt allowed me to have creative control and add all the little fun details.

So we were able to make the shower so cute.

So the day came shower was a success so what happened next and when something new in our business occurred After the shower one of the guest inquired about the décor and was interested in our supplies.

So they reached out to us and ask us about our décor packages.

At that time I just did stuff for my love to craft and create I had no décor packages or anything… so after the inquiry I reached out to my nephew (Antar) who assisted me in putting some packages together…

So just like that we added custom décor to our photography services

So we are now : Kustom Kreation Photography & Celebration Decor

The guest from my cousin shower booked us for décor and special event photography….

Alright now we are on the move…

Thank you Sharon & Alisya (RIH) I've always been grateful for the call

It’s Our Anniversary!

15 years and counting… Kustom Kreation Photography

www.Kustomkreations4u.com

Our Photography Journal: Day 18: Drive By Photo Sessions

We are telling our story of how we entered into this photography journey and how things began for us……
Our Story!

The Year :2008

Drive By Photo Sessions

Walgreens photo center use to have this photo print package for $9.99
It included over 50 prints of one image a variety of 8x10s 5x7s 4x6s and wallets
An awesome Deal!

So I solicited this drive by photo shoot I’ll drive by grab a photo and you have this total print package.
All for the Great price of $35!

Well one family took advantage of this great deal !

I went by the McBride Family Home and they were all prepared to take their photo

And to make things even better Cheryl (the one in charge) who hired me told me I can make more money by taking individual family pictures and they can pay me my fee for their family photo.

So thankful for the opportunity I was able to go around and capture individual family images and walk away with lots more monies than I originally set out for for this photo stop!

So very Thankful to The McBride Family
Since that time I’ve had the pleasure of capturing lots of milestone memories and family events!

One things for sure you never know what avenues life will lead you I had no idea of what my future held with this one stop family session.

It’s Our Anniversary
15 years and counting…
Kustom Kreation Photography
http://www.kustomkreations4u.com

Our Photography Journal: Day 17 : 1st Official Wedding !

We are telling our story of how we entered into this photography journey and how things began for us……

Our Story!

The Year :2008

1st Official Wedding Event

We received a call from my cousin (Denise) who is /was a wedding planner and she ask me to do photography for a wedding that she was planning for her client

Once again … I was nervous and scared and declined the job… I still was learning and jumping out to do a wedding I’m just not comfortable with yet….

My internal thoughts were **I was afraid that if my shutter didn’t go off and I missed the big kiss that would ruin the day and the pictures seeing the kiss is one of the big things to capture in a wedding ***

My cousin convinced me that I do good work and I’m more than capable of doing the job and that it pays $300 (which was the most I've made at that time for a project)

She went on to give me the confidence I needed to secure this job.

Ok. I’ll do it.

Nervous and All I accepted the challenge.

Called up my nephew who also was an inspiring photographer and we went out to capture the day.

No formal training no shot list just a few thoughts on what you think a wedding photographer to capture.

Everything seemed to work out nicely I was able to overcome the fears I had and just like that I begin to offer wedding packages because I was more confident now that I had the experience.

Thank you to my cousin who gave me the nudge I needed to overcome my fears

Big Thanks to my nephew who always was down for these moments in my journey to assist me!

It's Our Anniversary

15 years and counting...

Kustom Kreation Photography

www.kustomkreations4u.com

#itsouranniversary #dslrcamera #ourjourney

Our Photography Journal: Day 16 : Celebrity Event *** The Big Lesson***

We are telling our story of how we entered into this photography journey and how things began for us……

Our Story

The Year :2007

************The Big Lesson! *****************

So your girl got a referral from one of her clients and this project /event was a celebrity weekend event immediately I became nervous and scared and told the client I’m an amateur and that I’m not qualified to do this. He convinced me that I had a camera and knew how to take pictures I would be fine.

Ok challenge accepted

Called up my good friend and she became my photo assistant 😊

1st event

Charity fundraiser

Went around snapped photos tried to get what I could and he had me captured a few with people

1st night down 2 more to go

2nd day bowling charity event

Once again snapping pictures all around

Was able to capture a few of Atlanta celebrities…

Ok great we good.

3rd event pool party… ok this one got canceled due to the parking challenges being at a private home.

So we cleaned up the images burned them to a disc and scheduled a meet time.

Okay we’ll everything was good we met I gave him the disc he gave me the check for my services I cashed the checked immediately paid my assistant

And we good…. Until we were not Received phone call from client he started they would be canceling the check….

1st Night Event

Bowling Charity Event

I’m like huh what??!!!

Yep canceling the check because my images they could not use…

So there you have it… I did 2 back to back days of services with an assistant and got paid $0

Canceled Check

I was livid upset angry 😡 why would someone do that to me…

So after processing this awful experience I prayed about it and after that the spirit gave me the words to follow up in an email.

In my email I explained to him that I did the work he ask me to do and I told him that before you hired me I was an amateur and you move forward to take a chance on me anyways so for that alone I should be compensated.

It was then what he said next that changed everything for me… he told me my pictures weren’t bad… it was that I had too many images of the backs of peoples heads they would not be able to use those images in their magazine.

AHHHH HAAAAA Moment!

The Big Lesson was in this critique of the work I did for him .

1st thing because I was shy I was too afraid to walk up in people and ask for a picture or even take one.

It was easier to just shoot a bunch of images from a distance since I’m delivering you hundreds of images I know you can get what you need out of those images

2nd the quality of images you needed for your event.

I didn’t understand the need of the images for the assignment. Being that all this is new to me I really didn’t know how to properly capture an event.

Between being shy and lack of knowledge

Landed me with one of the biggest lessons in my journey.

So after our email exchange he then told me I was right and to call there Dallas office and have another check sent to me.

Lesson for me was.... After this fiasco I knew to capture images that people can use. Images that if needed for a magazine they would be quality

I also learned to be more assertive, you are in this business you are going to have to deal with people you cannot be shy, you just be kind and ask for the shot.

So moving forward in the special event space, I strive to give you the best quality images for your event capturing details candid and posed images. All that you will be able to use whether in a magazine on your website or marketing materials This lesson here taught me to be better and capture great images!

It's Our Anniversary

15 years and counting...

Kustom Kreation Photography

www.kustomkreations4u.com

Our Photography Journal: Day 10 : Little League Sports Photographer

We are telling our story of how we entered into this photography journey and how things began for us……

Our Story!

The Year 2007!

Take me out to the ball game
Take me out to the crowd buy me some peanuts and cracker Jacks… I don’t care if I ever come back…
The year was 2007!

and guess what my son played baseball and because I’m an everything photographer I’ve now become a little league sports photographer 

Hey team I’m taking the kids pictures at all the games and if you let me I’ll take their individual sports pictures. Now how to package up and sell was a different thing. So the way that I was able to share images of these action photos of each of the games is.. I created slide show videos of each of the games and the parents paid for the disc.

Oh they were nice ! Using the latest hip hop music instrumentals “this is why I’m hot” and my videos sold like hot cakes to the parents…. Oh this camera thing is what’s happening. I’m capturing awesome photos and selling DVD slide show disc of each game!

It’s Our Anniversary!
15 years and counting…

Kustom Kreation Photography
www.Kustomkreations4u.com

Our Photography Journal: Day 8 : Summer Camp Fun!

We are telling our story of how we entered into this photography journey and how things began for us……
Our Story!

The year was 2006

Summer Camp Fun!

So as you know we began our journey in 2006 and we came right out the door swinging... We became immediately the everything photographer

These are a few captured moments at my sons summer camp program!

To tell you the truth the image with my son with the basketball I always felt was fire 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

It's Our Anniversary and we are sharing our journey with you!

15 years and counting!

Kustom Kreation Photography
www.kustomkreations4u.com

Our Photography Journal: Day 7 : Brown Bag of Cash- Diva Dollars!

We are telling our story of how we entered into this photography journey and how things began for us……

Our Story!

The year was 2006

Brown Bag of Cash - Diva Dollars

So as you know we began our journey in 2006 and we came right out the door swinging... We became immediately the everything photographer

We created a studio right in our apartment living room and we were scheduling appointments. So aside from the portrait photo session we had reached out to my son's after school program and they were hosting events for the students and one event in particular was a Diva's Night Out for the girls, okay this was a perfect opportunity for us to bring our backdrop and sell printed pictures to those little divas that was interested in having a printed photo, I had worked out a deal with the director of the program to where I would setup a photo area at the event and sell pictures and I would split the proceeds with the program.

Perfect Deal!!!! The Divas were in the House!!!!

So the Diva Night was a pretty successful Event. I brought my niece with me to enjoy the festivities of the night.

Divas Party 2006

Diva Party 2006

After the weekend was over Monday came and I had come to pick up my son after school and give the brown bag of monies to the director of the program, Low and Behold I had received the news that there had been organizational changes within the church/program and that everyone that I once was dealing with positions had been eliminated and they would not be back.

I was at AHHH with what had happen, the folks that I had set a plan in motion with and was putting events on at the church afterschool were now gone, so where does that leave me and this bag of Cash???!!!

There was no-one there that was familiar on what deal I had made with the program director and didn't know anything on the money aspect of what we had did at the event.

So what was a girl to do.

Hold on to the brown bag of Cash or Have it all for the business??

It's Our Anniversary and we are sharing our journey with you!

15 years and counting!

Kustom Kreation Photography

www.kustomkreations4u.com

Our Photography Journal : Day 2:

Did someone say photography??!!!

We are telling our story of how we entered in this photography journey and how things began for us …

So as I was saying we picked up our camera in 2006 and we’ve haven’t put it down since… our camera has connected us with so many people places & things it’s amazing how the decision to follow your heart and decide to go for it how life changes for you!

When I first got laid off my job in early 2006 I cashed out my 401k and invested in backdrop and lighting equipment and was looking for anyone who’s interested in taking pictures with my muslin backdrop and lights. Fast forward later that same year when I got my professional grade Camera oh boy it was on and popping this time I’m looking for more people to take pictures with my backdrop lights and stuff.

Take a chance.

Folks really will take a chance with you and if your good they will tell someone else. Just like that I had a business right in the living room of my apartment capturing 2 and 3 hour sessions for $25 why so cheap… because I was an amateur looking to keep practicing to get better with my work.

It’s Our Anniversary

Kustom Kreation Photography

www.Kustomkreations4u.com

10 Types of Events to Capture

The “Fun” damentals of Social Event Photography As a Photographer who captures lots of

social events we are listing 10 Types of Events we Have Captured!

Birthday Party

1. Baby Shower

2. Anniversary Celebration

3. Business Launch

4. Family Reunion

5. Prom/ Homecoming

6. Festival

7. Back to School

8. Workshop/Conference

9. Holiday

Stay tuned for Our “Fun” damentals of Special Event Photography . We will be breaking down more of how we work and capture these various memorial images.

www.kustomkreations4u.com

The Top 10 Things we capture for Special Event Photography

The “Fun” damentals of Social Event Photography Series:

As a Photographer who captures lots of social events we are listing

10 things we captured when we are booked for your event .

1. Decorations

2. Food

3. Desserts

4. Bar / Drinks

5. Music / DJ

6. People / Guest

7. Venue

8. Entertainment

9. Activities

10. Memories

Stay tuned for Our “Fun” damentals of Special Event Photography . We will be breaking down more of how we work and capture these special images.

Kustom Kreation Photography 2020 In Review - Part One

Dear 2020, Although things didn't go as WE planned out. I'm thankful to all the opportunities to capture moments... in a safe way.... weddings birthdays graduations family session and more... these relationships and experiences are unforgettable! Our visual journey 2020! Part One