Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaitlyn Baker.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I fell in love with photography back while in Jones Cove Elementary. I knew then that I would pursue this as a career and my ultimate goal is to get to National Geographic Magazine.
I finally got a point and shoot Kodak camera for achieving straight A’s in 5th grade and that love grew into a burning passion. In 2011, I met Dave Laymon at the Sevier Co Jamboree, which lead to my second shooting weddings with him. He helped by lending me a DSLR Canon Rebel.
Shortly after this and after much practice my grandparents bought me my first Canon Mark 6D camera body with a 50mm lens. My grandpa said, “now show us what you can do with it.” Since then, I have started my own business, in 2018, and pursued it in many fields.
I obtained a business management degree, got married to an amazing and supportive husband, and unleashed Smoke N’ Lenses.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Oh absolutely not! From debt to daily battles with anxiety we have struggled like any other 25 year old.
We are now parents on top of business owners and we truly have only gotten here thanks to God. Of course, we love and cherish our supporters but there would be nothing to support without God’s grace and guidance.
Pastor Brent once said that if we focus on our storms, our savior becomes small. However, if we focus on our Savior, then our storms become nonexistent. So we hope to share enough to inspire others in our shoes to focus on God and allow your true talents to shine.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
We are the Bakers and we own and operate Smoke N’ Lenses.
We value authentic moments, raw emotions, and quality. We strive to ensure every client is treated as uniquely as they are, and that they are provided with a professional but family-like session. We promise this will be one session you never forget!
We offer fine art portraits, commercial real estate, family sessions, and more! We are most proud when our clients love their portraits and are able to cherish them for many years to come.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
We’ve learned quite a bit from living through this Covid-19 pandemic.
First and foremost we offer contactless invoices, contracts, and payments. We understand this time is scary for us all and we want to ensure our clients feel comfortable. We wear masks when surrounded by many people, especially indoors.
We also offer many sessions outdoor especially in the National Park, and we use a zoom lens to grant even more space between us.
Pricing:
- Fine Art Portraits start at $275
- Commercial Real Estate starts at $375
- Mini Sessions start at $75
- Wildlife Home Decor starts at $175
- Newborn Sessions start at $375
Contact Info:
- Email: smokenlenses@gmail.com
- Website: https://smoke-n-lenses.square.site/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smokenlenses_kb/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/smokeNlensesCommercialPhotography/?ref=bookmarks
- Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Xxp5b-xi43Y
Image Credits
Kandee Wallace, Beerbower Family, Amanda & Her Family, and Carlie & Grady Baker
