Meet Ken Maurice Kellogg | KMS Owner & Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ken Maurice Kellogg and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ken Maurice, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Reason for starting my own business is simple. I had always been the type of person to do things my own way and be in control of what I have. I was not the type of person to follow trends and go with the flow of what everyone else is doing. I had to have my own. So, after working with a company for about a year as a freelance photographer, I learned the basics of what it takes to keep a business afloat in this wedding industry. Having a business savvy wife Who had been in the industry for a few years before me, the process became even easier. She wrote the policies and I was the artist.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Our initial business name was My Ultimate Photography. The premise behind this title was that we would provide the ultimate service for any event or portrait session. The portion of business that most people did not expect but wanted was an individual personal touch. And that is where we shined. it’s easy to take great pictures and provide amazing edits at an affordable price. But getting into peoples minds and finding out what they like and don’t like I’m order to learn how all of that information can impact your business was my specialty.

The first thing that I would do is learn who my client was and what they wanted to feel during my service with them. I wanted to learn what things they loved and what things they didn’t like very much. Understanding their emotional attachment to things and people gave me insight on the best ways to serve them. I learned what style and techniques to use to capture them and what style of lighting would bring out their best features. In short, personality was my purpose. If I could make you feel comfortable with me, then I’m certain I could make you feel less nervous in front of the camera. This would allow me to capture you as natural as possible. Our reviews and comments from recent clients are evident of this.

Relying on personality to be the strength of our brand gave us clients who truly wanted our style. It also taught us that everyone wasn’t our client. While I believe that I could connect with most anyone, I learned that some people did not want a connection, they only wanted what they wanted and sometimes not even they knew what that was! Others only wanted pretty pictures regardless of whatever their truth was. I’d rather not do that. I require substance. With that in mind, it was easy for me stay busy shooting events without compromising the substance I wanted for my clients. I could assist my peers in shooting their weddings. Sometimes I would connect with their clients and other times I wouldn’t but I could provide what my peers needed and continue sharpening my craft.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My brothers actually came for a visit to Houston a few years ago. We stayed in a hotel in the Galleria area. We did a photo shoot in that area to pick up some of the scenery. The next day, we went to Galveston Island and did a photo shoot at the water. my brothers are musicians so they brought their saxophones and we have all types of fun along the Galveston water wall. They even got their feet wet! We visited a few restaurants including the Turkey Leg Hut, Los Cucos and Chama Goucho on Westheimer. We didn’t do a lot of sightseeing, but we did take advantage of the drive to Galveston, the Galleria area and we visited downtown Houston.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My Aunty Toni, my mother and my wife are my greatest influences.

My Aunty Toni taught me art. From the time I could draw recognizable shapes, she poured into me the values and lessons of art. She influenced me through creativity with various mediums from color pencils and black and white chalk to acrylic and oil paints. She would always challenge my perception of a design or project to bring a story or purpose to the picture. She wanted me to find a way to make more than just a pretty picture. Create depth.

My mother treated every project I have from a child to adulthood as though there was greatness in everything. She has supported me as she does all of her children in our endeavors whether they are academic or extracurricular. She was always in the stands cheering us on. I remember when she joined me on a family portrait session and nearly cried when she saw one of the photos of the family posing together. She loved how they seemed so happy together and she felt as though I captured a perfect memory that will last for always for that family.

My wife, Kristina is my biggest support and influence. She believed in me in moments when I wasn’t sure of myself. Because I can be pretty self critical, she would help me to see the value in areas of my art where I wasn’t seeing it. She would stand with me in completing each project and celebrate its victory when the awesomeness would show itself. She was extremely instrumental in showing me the ropes and business and helping me to understand how to take control and keep it. While I understood the art aspect of things, she helped me to understand the business side of things. As for my art and creating memories for other people, she encouraged me always be my best self regardless of what everyone else was doing. This was already my truth so it made things easy. Kristina is my muse.

Website: www.kenmauricestudios.com

Instagram: Instagram.com/kenmauricestudios

Linkedin: LinkedIn.com/kenmauricestudios

Facebook: Facebook.com/kenmauricestudios