Meet East Point Photographer & Model: KuFunya Kail

Today we’d like to introduce you to KuFunya Kail.

KuFunya, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My dad was an artist and a photographer. He gave me two of my first cameras which I still look at as inspiration today. I used to watch him make the most nervous people feel at ease as he would come up close to their faces. The photos would always come out so beautifully. When I started taking pictures as a teenager, I would always think about how at ease my dad would make people feel. I try to do same. My goal as a photographer is to find the beauty in whatever or whoever I’m photographing. I love capturing the beauty of the moment and sharing it with the world.

Has it been a smooth road?
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced as a photographer has been getting people to let go of the negative perceptions they have of themselves. I love when a client with a self-deprecating attitude finishes a shoot and ends up changing perceptions they have of themselves from bad to good.

Any predictions for the industry over the next few years?
I’ve seen five-year-old children using cell phone cameras that ended up with exquisite photos. In five or ten years I see a world where everyone has the potential to explore photographical art without needing expensive equipment and I think it’s great. Art and education are the true testaments of how rich a culture truly is so hopefully we will have a society where truly creative art is the norm.

What has been the primary challenge you’ve faced?
One of my biggest challenges has been to value my own self-worth as a photographer. Shooting pictures doesn’t just begin and end with a photo shoot. I have to plan out sets and backgrounds, scout locations, plan wardrobe, keep the client calm during the shoot, adjust sets during the shoot, and spend hours after the shoot looking through pictures to see which ones shine the best light on the client. Then I have to edit, and that can take hours or days depending on how many pictures will get edited. There was a time when I did all of that for free for friends and some strangers. Once I put a price on everything, clients would try to talk the price down. My prices are well below what a lot of photographers are charging these days. I’ve overcome the challenge of letting my hard work and years practice and training be belittled. Learning the word no is the biggest challenge I’ve overcome. I’ve also learned to take a deposit for clients booking appointments. I’ve dealt with a lot of no shows, but once a nonrefundable deposit is in place, it makes clients appreciate time a lot better.

What advice do you wish to give to those thinking about pursuing a path similar to yours?
A word of advice for beginning photographers would be to talk to people and network as much as they can. Social media is nice, but I’ve been hired by most of my clients just by talking face to face. Most of them have been strangers I met randomly on the street. Read as much as you can about your craft, and practice and study as much as you can. My days and nights are spent trying out new things with my camera. Sometimes my ideas work and sometimes they don’t, but either way I learn something new about my camera and my control over it.

Pricing:

• Prices start as low as $150 depending on the type of job and location.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.Kufunyakailphotography.com
• Phone: 404-427-8522
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: Kufunya_kail
• Facebook: KuFunya Kail

Image Credit:
Christine Horn – Yellow Shirt
Kerwin Thompson – Cigar
Mundy Thurman – Green Shirt
KuFunya Kail – Suit with Hat
Dusty Brogdon _ Black Shirt
Prince – Dog