Local StoriesJuly 22, 2024

Hidden Gems: Meet Kenneth Purdom of Real Estate Photographer Pro LLC

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kenneth Purdom

Hi Kenneth, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
From the Brink of Disaster to the Top of My Game: How a Brush with Death Inspired My Thriving Photography Empire I have always done photography throughout high school and college. Even with my corporate job, I sometimes worked on a photography project or a video project related to marketing our products and services at my corporate job. But it was when I suffered a massive heart attack at the age of 50 that everything changed.

That health scare was a wake-up call that would forever alter the trajectory of my life. After decades of working in corporate, I realized it was time to pursue my true passion—Photography. “That heart attack was a life-changing experience,” I reflect. “It made me reevaluate everything and stop putting my dreams on hold. I knew I had to take that leap and build a business around what I love.”

And that’s precisely what I did. Within a year of my health scare, I founded Real Estate Photographer Pro LLC, offering top-notch photography and videography services to real estate agents across the Middle Tennessee area. The business quickly found success, and I soon expanded my offerings under the umbrella of Kenneth Purdom Photography.

Today, just a decade after my brush with death, my photography empire is thriving. My dedicated team and I serve a growing roster of clients, helping businesses of all kinds communicate their marketing messages through striking visuals. It’s a far cry from my corporate days, but for me, there’s nowhere else I’d rather be. “I’m living my dream,” I say with a smile. And I have my heart attack to thank for it.”

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The Road to Success Has Not Been Smooth, But It’s Been an Exciting Journey

Every good story has several parts. I would like to thank the people who have helped make this possible. At Real Estate Photographer Pro, we have a team that keeps everything going.

Our team comprises several people and a team around the world. First I’d like to say thank you to my wife, Vanessa. We also have two people who are very special in the business and work on it daily, Celine and Aya. I take care of marketing and customer care needs. We also have an excellent team of vendors and partners that provide support and unique skill sets. We also have a business coach, Darryl. Who provides excellent insight into the industry.

As I approach the anniversary of my heart attack and the launch of my photography and videography business, I can say with certainty that the road has not been smooth. Still, it has undoubtedly been an exciting journey.

In the beginning, it was a rollercoaster of growth – one day, feeling on top of the world as new clients came in; the next, wondering if everything had come to an end when there was a lull in business. “There’s always something to be done, but there are days when you wonder if everything has ended. No one’s calling, no one seems to need anything. It doesn’t happen often, but it does,” I reflect.

Marketing has been one of the biggest challenges. While much of our business has come from referrals, where customers have been impressed with our quality of work and passed our name along, we’ve had to work hard to market our services and showcase our capabilities actively. “As with most businesses, marketing seems always to be the challenge,” I admit.

“The goal has always been to let our work speak for itself, but as with any business to grow, you must find a way to market your services.” We’ve tried numerous marketing tactics, but the most successful approach has been focusing on taking excellent care of our existing clients.

“That’s not to say we haven’t lost some customers. Like any business, you can’t make everyone happy, and sometimes it’s just not a good fit, and you lose a customer here and there.”

Managing the balance between doing and marketing the work has been an ongoing dance. “It seems to go between two worlds- doing and marketing the work.” Fortunately, we’ve built a strong team that helps with every aspect of the business, allowing us to continually improve our processes and add new systems, people, and vendors to facilitate growth.

One key area we’re focused on improving is communicating the benefits of having a consistent media partner better rather than just calling a photographer when a specific need arises. “I think the number one challenge to overcome is that many businesses and real estate agents only call a photographer when they need a video or a set of photos. We need to do better at communicating that there are benefits to having a media partner consistently to help other businesses grow their opportunities to serve their communities.”

To that end, we’re ramping up our content creation and looking for ways to provide free, helpful resources to our target customers. We’re also striving to tell our story more effectively, showcasing examples of how we can support businesses throughout their entire marketing and sales process – from headshots and facility photography to event coverage and video production.

It’s been a wild ride, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. The challenges have been significant, but the growth and fulfillment I’ve experienced in pursuing my passion have made it all worthwhile. As I look ahead to the next year, I’m excited to continue building my photography empire and helping businesses communicate their stories through striking visuals.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Real Estate Photographer Pro LLC?
We offer Real Estate Photography, Aerial Drone Photography, Twilight Sunset Photography, and professionally styled Online Virtual Tours.

Real Estate Photographer Pro LLC works with Realtors, Builders, Interior Designers, Real Estate Investment and rental Companies, and Hospitality companies.

Stunning photography and video are effective ways to stand out. That is why Real Estate Photographer Pro LLC’s sole purpose is to create images that help get you noticed.

What should we know?
Realtors and developers trust the Real Estate Photographer Pro LLC team to create professional real estate photography and video for their real estate listings and businesses. Our team has a speedy turnaround time to ensure you can quickly go to market with the listing. Get your real estate photos and video delivered, with 100% satisfaction guaranteed.

With our drone aerial photography and videography services in Nashville, your marketing and listings will capture the attention of thousands of potential buyers. Renters and purchasers know aerial photography in today’s real estate and rental markets. Include drone photos and videos in your listings and marketing efforts to avoid losing customers’ interest.

What do you do, what do you specialize in / what are you known for?

We offer Marketing videos with Pop-up Animation. We can also create a Community Tour Video with Pop-up Notations, Animated Pop-up Notations, and Motion Graphics.

We service the Middle Tennessee and North Alabama area and can travel to other states on special assignments when needed. We also work with a nationwide network of photographers and videographers to help you with projects outside our typical service territory. But ensure the same quality and that the work is delivered to your specifications.

What sets you apart from others?

We can provide everything a business or real estate agent needs for video and photography services. We can also work with someone on your team to provide back-up and editing support for projects you have already captured the images on. We also have the unique ability to create satellite photography and satellite videos for remote locations where it may not be cost-effective to send a photographer and videographer.

What are you most proud brand-wise?

We listen to our customers and watch how the industry changes. Every year, we survey our customers to ask for their opinions and ideas and speak with industry experts regularly to ensure we bring the latest marketing tools to our customers to help them create opportunities. This has paid dividends and allowed our business to grow yearly and add new products and services.

What do you want our readers to know about your brand, offerings, services, etc?

We want to be your business partner and help you grow your business. We want to be part of the Year-Long marketing process. We want to be an ongoing, regular asset to the businesses we work with and help them grow.

I think Zig Ziglar said it best…

You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want.
Zig Ziglar

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So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to you? Why?

We made a lasting impact by providing professional services to our customers.

As we continue to grow the business, I want to make sure the people working for the business personally benefit from the business, which provides opportunities for them and helps them accomplish their goals.

One day, I’d like to do more with non-profits as the business grows I hope that we can have a successful impact on nonprofits that we continue to partner with.
We currently work with nonprofits but would like to expand that opportunity as the business grows.

Over the last few years, we have provided free portraits through our program, “Portraits For Love,” for families that cannot usually afford these types of family portraits.

We also continue to work closely with the Tennessee Native American Indian Association to provide free photos and videos to promote their educational efforts.

Our newest nonprofit, Run For Dyslexia, is a yearly fall event that we recently worked with. We plan to continue our partnership with them.

We also had the opportunity to work with the Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville.
Over the years, we have provided promotional videos and photography for their events.

I think moving forward as technology is changing and growing we plan to stay on top of the new opportunities and we are currently working to create some new products and services that will take advantages of the new technologies that are now available.

For example, it’s possible to do headshots online now and not be in a situation where someone has to go into a studio and spend hours and dollars that may not be affordable for some professionals who need a professional headshot.

Marketing video example
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0m4rPuK-AQ&t=39s

Non-profit promotional video run for dyslexia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gu34E_eAHuU&t=38s

Photos Run For Dyslexia
https://runsignup.com/Race/Photos/Location/2023MusicCityRunforDyslexiaPhotos/TN/Nashville/MusicCityRunforDyslexia

Contact Info:

Website: https://www.realestatephotographerpro.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realestatephotographerpro/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RealEstatePhotographerPro
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RealEstatePhotographerPro
Other: https://www.kennethpurdom.com/

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