Today we’d like to introduce you to Victoria Kelley.
Hi Victoria, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, how can you bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I am a Virginia native who spent most of my childhood in Abingdon. I have been a picture fiend since middle school; I documented every grade school year with a scrapbook album and then continued to study Fine Arts in college to pursue a singing career in Northern Virginia. I studied photography as a side hobby, starting in a dark room and then just taking photos whenever I could use it as a hobby (I remember at one point my dad calling me a tourist because I would take photos all the time). Many years later, moving to Tennessee, my husband bought me a Nikon DSLR, and I shortly moved to all Sony gear. We both started our photography business, where I specialize in portraiture, studio, and life candid experiences. I am a people-loving perfectionist, and I find joy in connecting with clients and showing their unique personalities through my candid and free photography style. I am not a “pose and shoot” photographer, but I love to prompt people to show their natural selves. With Mike and my sense of humor and quick reactions to candid moments, It has made us the go-to photographers for local events, a recognition that we do not take lightly and we enjoy doing. We have made the Best of Johnson City Photographers 2020, 2021, and recently, 2022.
We all face challenges, but would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not all of it was smooth. When the epidemic hit, My portraiture side of the business stalled, but I did find creative ways by setting up Facetime creative sessions, porch, drive-by birthday, and distant sessions with my 70-200mm. Mike’s side of the business soared through reality photography. We also set up a new studio at the start of the epidemic, which was also a scary moment because of the doubtful time we were facing. Thriving through one of the toughest times in history showed us that we can withstand anything.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My professional career started in banking and finance. Since then I have done photography as a hobby and that started in middle school, documenting almost every phase of others’ lives and my own. I continued to take darkroom and photography classes in college. Now I specialize in portraiture, headshots, dance, weddings, and maternity for five years now.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Johnson City Aerial Photography is more than drones. Its any photography you need or want. My husband and I co own the company and if one of us can’t do it the other one can. Pretty amazing. I love challenges. Suppose there is something that someone wants to achieve in our session. I will fight the odds to make it happen.We also acquired a 360 video photobooth this year and are expanding on more things we can do.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.
johnsoncityaerialphotography. com - Instagram: https://www.
instagram.com/ johnsoncityaerialphotography/ - Facebook: https://www.
facebook.com/ johnsoncityaerialphotography - Youtube: https://www.youtube.
com/channel/ UCZjNeEv8pHdKvDjwu5vJpJw - Other: https://jcap7.
mypixieset.com/
Image Credits
@JOHNSONCITYAERIALPHOTOGRAPHY
