Today we’d like to introduce you to Kennedy Powell.
Hi Kennedy, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Hey Hey! My name is Kennedy Powell and I have been a full-time photographer for almost 15 years- which is really crazy to write. I am from Johnson City, Texas but have been living in North East Texas for 10ish years now. I originally wanted to be some type of business owner and started college to do just that while doing photo gigs on the side here and there. Soon after I was asked to shoot my very first wedding and was pretty much hooked since then. Throughout the years I have shot everything from family sessions, newborns, maternity, headshots, and pretty much all the above. I have owned studios for years at a time and have even changed my business name here and there. I really gravitated to weddings and started to heavily learn all the ins and out of them and it became one of my favorite to photograph. Even through all of that I still wanted to have something that set me apart and or another business. I still had that entrepreneur inside of me and knew I needed more. I really started to dive into video and started adding short video clips with each of my session until I built it, and I filmed my very first wedding. Looking back 7 years later it wasn’t a horrible film, but you can defiantly compare the last 7 years and see a huge difference. I now own Hello Photo and Film and offer both photo and video for weddings, but also branding for small businesses and pretty much anything in between. As crazy as it is to say… I still was missing something and again wanted to be set apart even more and feared the wedding industry was overly saturated with the same things I offer. I still loved weddings and still wanted to be a part of them but thought maybe I can be a vendor. At a wedding you need your fun vendors, the ones that offer a different elements to your day, to entertain your guest, to offer an experience in a way. I had seen awesome trailer bars, dessert bars, pop up champagne carts, vintage photo booths … but never a snow cone trailer! It was a wild idea, and I wasn’t really sure I could actually pull it off- but after researching all the things from the look of the camper, the brand I wanted to present for brides, the perfect shaved ice, the cups, flavor options, and of course the taste. In 2021 Hello Snow was born! I started going to any and all open house gigs I could find- showing off what I had to offer and surprisingly it took off. Brides were booking both Hello Photo + Film AND Hello Snow, and it was seriously a dream come true! Now almost 2024 I own TWO snow cones campers, one that does pop up locations to the public, events, and of course weddings. Then one that is semi permeant stationed in Farmersville, TX. I have great Hello Snow employees that help me in the summer and an amazing team that assist Hello Photo + Film with weddings/photo sessions throughout the year. I am so excited for what’s to come and am beyond blessed for all the love and support I have received.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Absolutely not a smooth road ha. However, it has been fun. Sometimes, it has been a struggle to be able to set yourself apart from everyone in the industry. To reach out and say “pick me pick me” to each person that comes your way- knowing there are amazing vendors that you are up against. It is hard not to get in your head when there is a slow season, but I have learned to just own your craft, be steady, don’t compare yourself and really actually be yourself. Connections and word of mouth has really helped throughout the years.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Hello Photo and Film offers photo and video services. Specializing in telling your wedding story, but also offering branding for small businesses and documenting life moments of any kind. What sets me apart is I seek to go above and beyond, giving the most of the most in each photo or film I present. I offer event footage films – which are separate fully edited films with special parts of your day that didn’t fully make the cut of the highlight film. I am most proud of being able to offer consistency in my work and my passion I have behind it.
Hello Snow is pop up customizable snow cone camper. Specializing in weddings, events, local festivals, and more. We are known for our camper look and of course our tasty snow. We have a secret menu and can customize just about anything for each event. I am proud to be able to offer a tasty treat but in a classy way. Most people don’t think of snow cones being elegant, but if you change your serving cup, customize your menu, and focus on the little details- you can really spruce up a snow cone.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
I remember when I would have all these wild ideas about being a business owner or owning my own store of some sort, and each time, I presented my family with these ideas they would also tell me to go for it. They would make sure I thought out every possible answer or solution if I ran into a snag. Even being so young with ideas pretty far fetch I always had encouragement and support.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.hellophotoandfilm.com
- Instagram: @hello.photoandfilm @hello.snowcones
- Facebook: Hello Photo and Film Hello Snow
