Today we’d like to introduce you to Emerald Green.
Emerald, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My interest in photography is due to my grandmother, Ledoria Jones. When I was a little girl, every single time I came to visit, she and I would go through a box of old photos that was decorated with little flowers on it. It was our little thing to do together. We would talk in detail about everyone we saw, most who were deceased and her memories behind each photo. Coincidentally, she was also known to be the one to have a camera nearby in her day. When her memory began to fade, our relationship drastically changed. I did notice, however, that she could still recognize the photos we used to talk about so much when I was a child. It was if she was fighting to hold on to her past as tightly as she could. Although my grandmother is no longer with us, every time I push the shutter release, I think of her”. It’s more than a job for me. With every photo I take, I try to integrate feelings into them, much like the feelings, I saw in my grandmother’s eyes when she reminisced about those in her past. I put all that I have into my passion because I know that the photographs taken for my clients will be that bridge between reality, and eventually it will cross over and fade into a cherished memory.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has been a difficult yet rewarding road so far. I knew I wanted to get into photography in 2013, but I just didn’t know how. My support system at the time, saw me struggling to figure it out and literally bought me my first camera, a Canon Rebel T2i kit and my very first camera bag! I had no clue, however, that the struggle was far from over. I learned that those in the photography world can be unwilling to help in any capacity. When first starting out, I would join photography forums and I learned quickly how overly critical and harsh some people could be of others work. I also learned that without the knowledge of how to run a business, you will quickly fail. Lastly, I learned that without a niche, you fall into the pool of everyone else claiming to be a “photographer”. I did, however, take every single roadblock, and use it as a stepping stone to reach higher to my goals.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
My business is called PhotoKinEtic Photography, and I specialize in portraits but I do a bit of everything. The P, K, and E are the first initials of first names of those who helped me when I first began my business, along with my own. I am most known for playing music while with clients. One of my first questions is “what kind of music do you like?”. I also change the music according to the occasion. If I have a couple, I will play r&b. Everyone knows that 80-90’s r&b will get you in your feelings! Lol, I am the most proud of the fact that no matter how hard or how slow business gets, I keep pushing, keep grinding. God took six days to create and mold masterpieces, so I take solace knowing that success will not come overnight.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I love it here in Atlanta! There are so many creatives here that can boost you to another level mentally! It truly is the mecca for young African American professionals.
Contact Info:
- Email: Photokineticphotography@gmail.com
- Instagram: photokinetic_photography
- Facebook: Emerald Green
Image Credit:
Alexis, Aubreigh and Noah Dunn, Bailey Johnson, Brettany Griffin, T.I., Gerald Griggs, Ledoria Jones, Kavoy Amore, Natasha Landfair, John Foster, Jr
Getting in touch: VoyageATL 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.
Desmond Yates
May 1, 2019 at 7:57 pm
Beautiful website and happy ur following ur heart. Can’t wait to see where it goes!
Desmond Yates
May 1, 2019 at 7:59 pm
Not a website but article… My bad