Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaitlyn Stone.
Hi Kaitlyn, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Sure! I have been interested in photography since I was a small child, but never had the courage to try. I was around 5 months pregnant when I impulsively purchased my first camera. I started to try to take some photos and was incredibly discouraged by how bad they were. I put the camera away until after my daughter was born. After my daughter was born, like many other mothers out there, I was diagnosed with Postpartum depression and anxiety. I was struggling daily to feel connected to myself and did not know how to push myself through this. That’s when I decided to pick up the camera and just started practicing again. I wanted to be able to take photos of my daughter as she grew up. I decided that I should look into classes and start investing in myself. The first class I took was with Click. Love. Grow. and that’s where my passion began. Like many new camera users, I started by using auto and was frustrated by the variance in my photos. After that initial class, I continued my learning by going to youtube to learn how to fix issues I was having and how to take control of what my camera was producing. It was becoming a little easier to figure out how to get the lighting and the focus that I wanted. But most importantly, photography became an outlet to help me through my postpartum depression and anxiety. It allowed me to be creative and to have fun doing it!
I started out with my photography business by asking my friends to allow me to take their photos, taking on model clients, and getting a local mentor to help me with things I needed help with business-wise. I’m forever grateful for that friendship that blossomed out of that mentorship. I’ve worked hard to continue practicing and building trust with my current and past clients. One of the best parts about what I do is watching families grow. It’s really special to be a part of these moments, and it’s even more special to me that they trust me to be a part of it. Thank you all for that opportunity and the trust to be a part of these special moments. I cherish each of them dearly.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely has not been a smooth road by any means. I’ve had a lot to learn *and still do!) especially when it comes to adequately marketing myself to the right clients, making sure that I’m charging the proper amount that’s going to keep the lights on but also be affordable to those interested in having memories that they can keep forever.
Also, as mentioned previously, I struggled with consistency and dealing with the variance of my photos while learning my camera. It’s a journey, and I believe we should always learn and practice our crafts.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Written In Stone Photography?
I specialize in family portraits and absolutely love taking extended family photos!
When I was pregnant with my daughter, I hired a photographer to take our photos when my daughter was born. Unfortunately, like many others, this could not happen due to Covid and hospital restrictions. I felt devastated that we could not have those photos taken, and I knew that when I started photography that this was something I wanted to be able to do for others. Birth photography is a beautiful and wonderful blessing to be a part of a growing family’s life.
What sets me apart from other photographers is I believe in pricing my photos as a package deal. Meaning I don’t upsell the clients on photos that I take that they like. It’s included in what the client has already paid for. Absolutely zero hate for anyone who implements their business this way. It’s just not right for me, my clients, and my business.
I’m open to most types of sessions and even do volunteer work with NILMDTS to give photos to families in the most devastating times of their lives. I’m grateful to be able to show up and give these families their precious moments with their child(ren). These are challenging sessions to go through, but I know by showing up and doing this that it gives these grieving families something to look forward to and memories that they can cherish forever.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I believe in having integrity and being honest. I believe in letting the clients know if I can fulfill their desires and if I don’t think I’m the right photographer, leading them in the right direction to who might be the right photographer for them. I won’t over-promise that I can do something if I don’t have the belief that I can. If they trust me enough to give it a shot knowing this – I will give it my all! But transparency is key to me. I want to be a part of your special moments but not at the cost of over-promising and underdelivering.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.writteninstonephotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/writteninstone_photography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/writteninstonephotography21
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaitlynstone-/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/written-in-stone-photography-houston?utm_campaign=www_business_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)
Image Credits
Beth-Anne Sindylek
Allyson Jaimes
