Meet Kendra Sebert

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kendra Sebert a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Kendra with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?

I struggled in school. I got pretty good grades because I was a cheerleader and dancer so I had to keep them up but the actual work load was hard for me. I wouldn’t say I had good “work ethic” back then because I was not very interested in it. I had work ethic once I left school and got jobs that I cared for. Once I found things I truly cared about even when it seemed silly to others, I cared for it which made me work even harder when doing it. I got married at 20, I was pregnant when I turned 21 which had me working until I was 36 weeks. Once I had my daughter my husband and I decided I would be a stay at home mom. Which I loved being home with her. But I wanted to do something that I loved and also could make extra income for my family. But I did not want to do daycare and I wanted to be able to bring my daughter if I had too. I have always had a love for photography, I even took a class in high school to learn photoshop. So I talked to my mom and from there I started my own photography business. I did an online collage class to learn a bit more about it and get better, I got my LLC and from there I have now been in the business for the last 5 years. Some things have come up and at times I have had to take breaks but have always jumped back into it once I was able. Another thing I loved about starting my own business, God and family always come first to me so if for any reason I have to take a break, I can. I make my own schedule but can jump right back into it when I can. My work ethic comes now from wanting to be the best I can for my family and working hard to help support them while doing what I love, I get to homeschool my oldest, spend time with my youngest while also 8 months pregnant with my 3rd and do a job that is rewarding. I get to freeze a moment in time for others and after being married and having a family of my own, I understand how truly important it is to have those moments.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

Hi, Im Kendra and I am a photographer. I started my small business to help support my family once I had my baby girl. I have always had a love for photography since I was a child. I would take pictures of pictures. I would take pictures of everyone else I knew. I even took pictures when my dad proposed to my mom. (even though I was like 5/6 years old, so not very good) but it made me happy capturing that moment for them. So as I was a stay at home mom, I wanted to help support my family in making a bit of extra income. I wanted to do something I loved but also something I could do with my daughter if I needed too. I did not want to put my daughter in daycare but also knew if I needed, I had family and my husband who could watch her if need be. My longest session was an hour so it wasn’t hard since I started it when she was only about 9 months old. I love being able to capture families, couples and kids special moments, freezing that moment in time. Since being married and having a family of my own I understand how important it is. To capture the milestones, the memories, and the moments. I love being the one to do that for others. I love that this business also gives me the opportunity to stay home with my kids. To homeschool my daughter, spend time with my youngest and while I’m 8 months pregnant, I get to make my own schedule. I also love that I have the freedom to change my business. When I started out I was just learning and all my sessions for a little different because I didn’t have a constant edit yet. I was doing all of the same poses, etc. Then I had a session I loved and I found my edit, I found my style, All of it ended up so perfect. It was my style for a while. After a while I wanted brighter photos, I wanted a change and since it was my own business, I could change it when I wanted to make it better, which it did. I changed my style and it changed my business for the better.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

I would say something important to me personally would be, don’t compare yourself to others. I used to. I don’t want to say that I was “competitive” with other photographers near me but I always compared myself to others. Felt my work wasn’t good because theirs was better. Our work is just different. Not better or worse. Be positive about your work, love it. You can always better yourself but still can think your work is great.
Don’t be discouraged if it’s not going to the way you want when you start out. Although my work wasn’t the best when I started, I felt like I was the worst photographer when starting out because I didn’t get the bookings I wanted. But when starting your own small business, you are getting your footing. Breath. Sometimes it starts out slow, doesn’t mean it’s not going to get better. My business was the best its been last year and it took time, learning, and working on improving myself to get that way. That would fall under also having patience.
Don’t be afraid of change. You could like the way you’re doing something but want to change it and do something new and exciting, don’t be afraid to do so. It could turn out even better than you expected so don’t be afraid to make a change.

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?

My parents and my husband.

My husband has had my back and supported my choice in starting my small business since the beginning. When I am not feeling great about my pictures or a session, he always has words of encouragement. When I have needed him to watch my daughters so I can go to a session without them, he’s taken off work. He has helped me buy the expensive camera equipment to help take my business to the next level. He shas supported all my decisions with my business. He’s my support and my rock in my small business.

My dad gave me my first camera that help me start my business in the first place. My mom paid for the online collage class that helped me learn more of what I needed to make this business successful. They have watched my kids when my husband couldn’t or I couldn’t bring them with me. My parents helped me with a lot when it comes to starting this business and has supported it ever since. Hiring me, spreading the word to friends, etc.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Kendraskaptures
• Facebook: Kendraskaptures

Image Credits

(My photos)