Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaitlyn Baker.
Hi Kaitlyn, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
How Smoke N’ Lenses Got Started
Every business has a story, and ours started with a simple love for preserving memories.
Long before Smoke N’ Lenses existed, photography became a passion for Kaitlyn. She began as a second shooter, learning every aspect of the industry while developing her skills behind the camera and in Photoshop. With every wedding, family session, and portrait, her confidence and creativity grew.
When Garett entered the picture, he discovered his own passion for photography. Inspired by Kaitlyn and eager to learn, he picked up a camera and never looked back. Together, we spent countless hours studying, practicing, investing in education, and perfecting our craft. Photography became more than a hobby—it became our way of telling stories.
What started as a dream eventually became Smoke N’ Lenses.
From day one, our goal has never been to simply take photos. We wanted to create an experience where every client felt like family. We believe the smallest details matter, authentic moments are priceless, and every milestone deserves to be remembered exactly as it felt.
As our business grew, so did our vision. We expanded from portraits into weddings, elopements, newborns, seniors, commercial branding, real estate, and styled sessions. We opened our own studio in Sevierville, Tennessee, (Now a in home studio in Strawberry Plains) giving families and fellow creatives a place where ideas could come to life year-round.
More than ten years after Kaitlyn first picked up a camera and years of building the business together, Smoke N’ Lenses has become more than we ever imagined. We’ve been trusted to capture thousands of memories, celebrated with countless families, collaborated with incredible local businesses, and even seen our work featured on official websites and publications.
But no matter how much we grow, one thing never changes.
We’re still the Bakers.
We’re still passionate about serving our community.
And we’re still honored every single time someone chooses us to preserve a chapter of their story.
Thank you for allowing us to tell yours.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Absolutely not. Like most small businesses, our journey has come with plenty of challenges.
Starting out meant wearing every hat imaginable. We weren’t just photographers—we were marketers, editors, accountants, customer service representatives, social media managers, and everything in between. There were countless late nights spent editing after our kids were asleep, early mornings answering inquiries, and weekends dedicated to serving our clients.
Financially, building a business from the ground up required a lot of sacrifice. Every upgrade to our cameras, lenses, lighting, and studio came from reinvesting back into the business. There were moments when growth felt slow, bookings were inconsistent, and we questioned whether we were doing enough.
As our reputation grew, so did the expectations. Learning to set healthy boundaries, establish policies, and recognize the value of our time became one of the biggest lessons we faced. Running a small business means every booking matters, and every client trusts you with memories that can never be recreated. That’s a responsibility we never take lightly.
Opening our studio brought another exciting milestone, but also new challenges. Managing a physical space, expanding our services, and continuing to grow while maintaining the quality our clients expect required even more dedication and planning.
Despite every obstacle, we’ve never lost sight of why we started. Every challenge has taught us something valuable, strengthened our business, and reminded us that the relationships we build with our clients are at the heart of everything we do.
Looking back, the difficult seasons make the success even more meaningful. We wouldn’t change the journey because it shaped Smoke N’ Lenses into the business it is today.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
At Smoke N’ Lenses, we specialize in capturing life’s most meaningful moments through timeless, authentic photography. From weddings and elopements to newborns, families, seniors, maternity, branding, and commercial photography, our goal is to create images that tell a story and preserve memories that will be treasured for generations.
What we’re most known for is creating an experience that feels comfortable, personal, and genuine. We understand that not everyone feels natural in front of a camera, so we take the time to get to know our clients, guide them through the process, and capture real emotions rather than forced poses. We want every session to feel less like a photoshoot and more like spending time with friends.
One of the things we’re most proud of is the trust our clients place in us. Being invited into some of the most important moments of someone’s life—whether it’s a wedding day, welcoming a new baby, celebrating a graduation, or documenting a growing family—is an incredible honor. Many of our clients return year after year, allowing us to photograph each new chapter of their lives, and there’s no greater compliment than becoming a family’s lifelong photographer.
What sets Smoke N’ Lenses apart is our commitment to quality and the experience we provide. We don’t believe in rushing sessions or treating clients like another appointment on the calendar. Every image is professionally edited with care, every gallery is crafted with intention, and every client receives the same level of attention we’d want for our own family.
As a husband-and-wife team, we also bring two creative perspectives to every session. We work seamlessly together to capture moments from different angles while making sure our clients feel supported and at ease. Combined with more than a decade of experience, a dedicated studio in Sevierville, and a genuine passion for storytelling, we’ve built a business centered on connection, creativity, and preserving memories that will last a lifetime.
At the end of the day, photography is about more than beautiful pictures—it’s about preserving the moments that become part of a family’s legacy. That’s what drives us every time we pick up our cameras.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
One of the biggest lessons we’ve learned is that relationships are just as important as talent. Early on, we sought opportunities to learn from photographers who were willing to share their knowledge, and we never stopped asking questions. Every workshop, second-shooting opportunity, collaboration, and conversation helped us grow.
My advice to anyone looking for a mentor is to be genuine. Don’t approach someone expecting them to hand over their success. Instead, show up ready to learn, be respectful of their time, and be willing to put in the work. Some of the best mentors aren’t found through formal programs—they’re people you’ve built trust with over time.
Networking has been one of the greatest blessings for our business. We’ve built lasting relationships with wedding planners, venues, florists, event coordinators, bakers, and other local small business owners. Rather than viewing others as competition, we’ve always believed there’s enough room for everyone to succeed. Supporting other businesses, celebrating their wins, and collaborating on creative projects has opened doors we never expected.
We’ve also found that getting involved in the community makes a difference. Whether it’s participating in local events, partnering with other businesses, or simply showing up consistently on social media, people want to work with someone they know, trust, and feel connected to.
Above all, don’t be afraid to start before you feel ready. You’ll never know everything, and that’s okay. Stay teachable, keep improving your craft, and remember that your reputation is built on how you treat people just as much as the work you produce. The relationships you invest in today can shape your business for years to come.
Pricing:
- Elopements Start at $875
- Extended Family Portraits start at $575
- Mini Sessions start at $175
- Wedding Collections start at $2,775
- Lifestyle Newborn Sessions start at $475
Contact Info:
- Website: https://smokenlenses.mypixieset.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smokenlenses_photography?igsh=bzFvMzhycWlkZnNl&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1SWALK47Pe/?mibextid=wwXIfr
