Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Blackall.
Kelly, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Hi there! I’m Kelly…wedding photog extraordinaire!! 😉 Californian by birth, Texan at heart!
Seriously… I love my job and I LOVE weddings!! Starting out as a wedding coordinator in my early 20’s I found my niche. From the proposal to the vows I love everything about weddings! I formed Blackall Photography LLC in 2008. I’ll tell you I always knew I’d be my own boss someday but I was never quite sure at what!
At the risk of sounding cliché, my love for photography started out young. I still have my blue fisher price film camera by the way! Learning how to shoot & process film from my grandfather are memories I will never forget- I still have a few old prints from our outings together. Then helping out in high school on the yearbook/newspaper staff (Go Farmers!) was where I formed a solid foundation for the art of telling a story with my photos… I always loved the smell of the developer- it’s just one of those smells that you’ll never forget! Then off at college…they gave me my first digital and said…here learn this! So I did!
I truly love my job and I really love being a part of weddings! I mean honestly, how cool is it to be part of someone’s best day ever for your job?! I spent time as a wedding planner before actively pursuing my career as a photographer, but I am so happy I did. It’s given me an edge most wedding photographers don’t have and I am so grateful for the couples that saw my potential and took a chance on booking me in the beginning!
I am based in the Historic District of Old Town Lewisville in the most perfect little historic farmhouse (sans farm) I live with my husband who I adoringly refer to as The Cowboy in any social media post and our dogs! We love all things outdoors including hunting, archery, and firearms. I am a competitive archer (when I don’t have weddings) competing in tourneys all around N. Texas and I love it. Not only the shooting part which is awesome but the fellowship with a group of friends that are priceless. I adore them more than they know! Mostly I am a homebody that loves to cook full meals every night and snuggle up on the sofa with The Cowboy and my dogs!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
When I first started this company I got a call from one of those online deal companies… That was still a new thing back then and I honestly didn’t know much about it so I decided to go ahead and run a deal for the fun of it. They told me I wouldn’t need to put a cap on how many I would sell because the photographers that had run deals before me never sold that many. So, with their suggestions, I made a deal -which I only took home 50% of. I ended up selling over 300 sessions!!! WOW! The whole deal almost put me out of business… the fuel cost alone of driving to over 300 sessions, not to mention the cost of the CD’s -which is how we all delivered images back then! But… the next year a majority of those clients came back and still to this day book with me annually. I am so blessed to have these people in my life-truly.
I firmly believe anything worth doing is worth doing right so, keeping that in the back of my head while building this company has given me so much motivation. There have for sure been obstacles and challenges but I’m not the type of girl to shy away from any of that when I am determined to do something! Plus I’ve had so many friends & clients that support me and want to see me succeed. For example, one of my close friends from high school books their family session with me every year and even though I love taking their photos and never charge them- a week or so after the shoot I always find a check in the mail from them- they believe in me and that goes a long way!
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Blackall Photography – what should we know?
We love getting families, high school seniors and maternity clients in front of our cameras but Blackall Photography specializes in all things involving wedding photography! I absolutely love everything about weddings- being there for a couple to capture all the little moments that happen during their wedding is honestly such an amazing job! There are so many details that go into a wedding but at the end of the day, the couple will walk away with each other, the rings on their hands and their images from their best day ever! I love being able to deliver that for them!
The compliment we receive the most is how they can tell we love our job during any wedding and I never get tired of hearing that. I honestly don’t think I’ve been at a wedding where I didn’t get high fived or just told how awesome we were…. we LOVE our job and I always love making sure it shows!!
I started this company as a side gig and even though we’ve been nationally published I am still just in awe of how far we’ve come! I have to say I am pretty proud!
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I’ve had so many people support me and this little company of ours but it definitely would not be where it is today without the support of my husband. He’s been instrumental in encouraging me to take this where I never thought I could. He loves me passionately & with intent and it’s so great to have that support in my corner! My parents… my biggest fans -still to this day my mom shares every single post I put out there on the Blackall Photography Facebook page- it’s amazing! My friend and my attorney- Steve Kuzmich of Kuzmich Law Firm and the office manager Lara definitely had a hand in getting me off the ground and I will never forget that that help!!
When I first got the business official I was very comfortable behind the camera but didn’t know the first thing about running a business so I approached a local photographer who was established and asked for any advice she could throw my way about running a business… she declined to help. So with a lot of trial and error, I navigated my way learning the ins & outs mostly on my own. But I really think that helped make me a better photographer and business women. As with most things sometimes you just have to learn the hard way!
Pricing:
- Wedding collections start at $5000 and include two photographers, bridal + engagement session and hi-res digital images
- Portrait collections start at $550 for one hour on location
- As a firefighters wife I have a deep respect & understanding for those that choose to serve and their families that sacrifice with them and for that reason I will never charge these men & women full price. If you are a member of the Fire Department, Police Department or Military you will receive a generous discount off any Portrait or wedding service! Thank you for all you do!
- I also provide a fun freebie or discount to anyone that shows their LTC card.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.blackallphotography.com
- Phone: 972-978-9958
- Email: kelly@blackallphotography.com
- Instagram: @BlackallPhotography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackallphotographyLLC/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Blackallphotog
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/blackall-photography-lewisville
- Other: http://www.blackallphotographyblog.com/blog/
Image Credit:
• Cody Kurtz Photography – the image of me walking with Bride + Groom
• Magg Shots Photography- Image of my holding beer in front of wedding party & image of me with my camera in front of my face
•All others copyright Blackall Photography
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas 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.
