Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaci Okabayashi.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Houston is a tricky place to grow up. You’re kind of submerged into this cultural melting pot that is the 4th largest and the most diverse, but it’s also one of the ugliest cities in the US. It’s flat, sandy, the beach is gross, the humidity is terrible and if that’s not bad enough, you have to sit in hours of traffic staring at some jacked up truck nuts dangling in your face.
We’re an “industry ” city. We come from little education making pretty decent money; it makes for a gritty yet “flamboyant” culture. I grew up with a lot of first and second generation Americans. I had friends whose parents never learned to read or write in English. I’m Japanese, and my grandfather was put in an internment camp after Pearl Harbor. My great uncle Tommy fought for the Americans in the 442 and came back one of the highest decorated in the history of the American Army. For whatever reason, our history was buried because (idk) maybe our families wanted to hide the fact that we came from an immigrant family. I’m a “90’s” child. I was raised in the defiant era and also the oldest of the millennial generation so my playlists consist of NWA and Britney Spears which is confusing because Nirvana and NSYNC would have never rocked the same table at the MTV music awards. I mean, we’re all in our thirties now just trying to figure out who we are as parents and bosses and entrepreneurs. We’re trying to figure out our political stance too and if it even means anything anymore? We don’t know! We are retreating to the earth and to our roots. We’re searching through art and food and music and poetry. In Houston, we fight for each other, through the floods and fluctuation of oil prices. We live for our sports teams and our athletes. I was raised in a city that has more nationalities and cultural traditions than any other city in the country but we all unite in the Spring, in boots and cowboy hats parading around a rodeo carnival. I guess, what I’m trying to say is how can you not be an inspired artist when the world around you is a constantly evolving work of cultural art?
I’m Kaci Okabayashi. I own Southern Envy Studios. I am a 14 year dedicated national makeup artist and internationally published photographer. Those things mean nothing, only that I’ve been doing it long enough that someone eventually noticed. My heart beats for the people, and for the story, my children will tell their children. I’m an entrepreneur, and I enjoy helping people achieve their dreams. I’m no huge achiever but I like to see people succeed. My career is starting to pave a future that is bright; my kids seem proud to be my kids. My husband is my absolute best friend and my absolute bestest girl is my business partner. I’m happy where my life is right now. We struggle, but that’s what makes the successes a little bit sweeter. I blast “chopped and screwed” rap in my Lexus on my way to shoots. I’d say life is good. I’m not sure if what I’m trying to achieve even exists, but I’ll know when I get there.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
People talk… especially the young ones. The way I see it is, not all roads are paved with a fresh blacktop. The “pot holes of life” I had a shit ton. I was a teen parent lugging around a toddler on my hip from shoot to shoot; I did what I had to do, to hustle the money I needed to, in order to keep my kid fed. I look back on my work and can see the struggle and darkness through it. Between being poor and violent young love, times we’re grotesque.
You have to be slightly narcissistic to be an artist because greatness can be an opinion. Failure can’t be any more than a milestone. You have to believe that you are the only voice that matters to continue to work through scandals and the fiery trenches of the internet. The only struggles left to deal as a veteran artist is the young adults that come in and try to step on your head to get noticed. You have to laugh it off, they are trying to build their narrative and somehow you’re the inspiration or the villain. It’s innocuously precious.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Southern Envy Studios – what should we know?
I specialize in interpreting artistic visions. People come to me with ideas (thank you Pinterest). I build a conceptual design and shoot it. As a makeup artist, you have the ability to control more of the visual effect of your subject. I shoot everything. I’m known for extremely low priced wedding photography packages. Artists hated me for it but it’s a niche…
I work with a lot of tweens and teens. I raise money to help sponsor athletic programs and mentor struggling artists. Pride is a dangerous drug. Too much will destroy everything you’ve worked for. The opposite end of that is, putting out the vibe that killing my competition is kosher AF. I can do anything, create anything, be anything. Perhaps that’s what I’m most proud of. If you asked the (almost 6000) clients of mine, they’d tell you what sets me apart from other photographers is the experience. I give 100% of my soul to every client. It’s fun, it’s fast, it’s affordable and it’s quality. Plus, I’m GD hilarious. Maybe that’s just the narcissist in me…
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I pretty much drudged through the majority of my climb in the industry alone. It would be terrible of me not to mention my parents who “sort of” believed in me. It took a decade for my family to see that I had a purpose, especially after walking away from a prestigious aviation career. My husband really allowed me to take the last five years to play the field of possibilities. My best friend and my team that I have established over the years have never questioned my erratic decisions to take risks. I’m known for giving 1000%, and the strong return clientele that respects that about me has made sure that people know. I give the credit to the people who have remembered my name over the years.
Pricing:
- My mini sessions are always $125
- My weddings are always $1500
- I freelance at $250 per hr.
Contact Info:
- Website: southernenvystudios.com
- Phone: 8323264497
- Email: kaci.okabayashi@gmail.com
- Instagram: @southernenvystudios
- Facebook: facebook.com/southernenvyphoto
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
