Exploring Life & Business with Khay Renee of KR Shot It

Today we’d like to introduce you to Khay Renee

Hi Khay, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born and raised in Nashville and have lived here my whole life. I absolutely love this city—it’s home to me, and there’s always something exciting happening here. I graduated from East Nashville Magnet High School and furthered my education at Fisk University where I received my degree in Business Administration. I’d decided to purse a degree in Business because I felt like it could elevate my understanding of running a business of my own. So, one could say that my time at Fisk is where it all started for me in terms my journey as a creative. I picked up a camera for the first time during my freshman year in college. I would find myself watching tutorials on Youtube for hours at a time capturing anything that caught my eye. I joined the Fisk Forum where I served as one of the photographers for events and happenings on campus. As I matriculated through college, I began doing grad shoots and my friends were some of my first clients. I’d even started a clothing line! My desire was to always find a way to make money doing what I loved, so being able to make a little extra money while in school was truly a blessing. As I continued to find my purpose as a creative, I was inspired to insert myself in spaces that allowed me to help the youth find their purpose as well. So when I wasn’t in class or didn’t have a camera in my hand, I was at the YMCA working part-time jobs.

Fast forward to today, seven years out of college, I’ve continued to pursue both passions in photography and with the youth. I currently work in Education while I maintain my photography business, KR Shot It. While many may see them as two totally different areas of focus, I find it pretty cool that both passions overlap sometimes. For the past four years, I’ve been able to work with the middle school and high school girls’ basketball teams at my alma mater, East Nashville Magnet High School, serving as the photographer for their media days. My gift of photography has forged me the opportunity to connect with so many people and capture the emotions of people, primarily people of color, through my lens. I thank God for that.

As a self-taught photographer, I feel like I’ve done pretty well. I have thoroughly enjoyed my journey. I recently released prints of my ongoing collection of nostalgic places around ever-growing Nashville. My ultimate goal, though, is to open my own creative space where I can shoot with clients of my own, rent the space out for other local photographers, and offer photography workshops to youth and adults. I live by the mantra, “Keep Shooting,” which is a testament to my belief in perseverance and individual action to create collective impact.

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?
I’d be lying to you if I said the journey has been smooth. Honestly, the good, the bad, the ugly– it has made me who I am today. From financial challenges to dealing with grief of losing loved ones, it has not always been easy. Even now, finding time to balance a full-time career in Education while also trying to maintain my photography business has challenges in itself. Some days, I’m so exhausted after work, I don’t always have the energy to focus on creating content, respond to emails, and all of the other variety of things that come with running a business. It’s hard. But I’ve learned to lean on God and remember my purpose. I know I have to do “it” even when I don’t feel like it. That’s what separates good entrepreneurs from great entrepreneurs.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about KR Shot It?
At KR Shot It, I specialize in portrait, lifestyle, and studio photography, with a focus on capturing people of color. My work captures authenticity, individuality, and creativity. I create imagery that is timeless, yet full of personality. You aren’t just taking photos when you’re working with me– you’re getting a personalized experience! My goal is to connect with each and every one of my clients, ensuring every session feels comfortable and collaborative. If you want an experience with a photographer that produces quality photos that tell a story, KR Shot It is the right photographer for you!

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
For anyone looking to find a mentor or network, I would advise that you put yourself out there, be authentic, and be fearless about it. There’s so much to gain on the other side of fear. If you have identified someone that you’d like to be your mentor or connect with, just reach out! The worst the person could say is ‘no,’ right? And sometimes getting ‘no’ as an answer is okay, too. It’s just what comes with it. If there are events happening in the city that you know would be beneficial to attend, find a friend or someone in your corner to go with you for support. You never know what will come of you stepping out of your comfort zone if you never step out. That’s what has worked well for me in addition to following fellow creatives on social media and reaching out that way as well. You got this!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.krshotit.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/krshotit/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KRShotIt96