Today we’d like to introduce you to Mikesha Hooper.
Hi Mikesha, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I think I got to where I am today truly by just being myself. I believe I have a people person out going personality and will make the chaos of situations into pure magic by the end because that’s what my clients deserve .
I originally got into photography because at the time, my son was doing some modeling and I was his personal photographer taking all of his photos for the brands with my camera. It’s the reason I bought a nice camera to begin with. It wasn’t until I had a friend, Deserae who is an amazing photographer herself (momentsbymamabear) say Kesha, you have the eye just go for it and I finally did and here we are almost 4 years later. These days my motivation and my mission is getting the full family in the frame and photographing things that tell a story and capture the true essence of who that person/family is in that season because that’s what it’s all about.. To get personal, My mom died when I was 12 and my Father at age 2 , and when I look back, we don’t have many pictures together and as a grown woman now with her own son who ask to see me as a kid, I get crushed because I have barely anything to show him, or myself for that time.
I think my main message has shifted also of telling people just how important it is to document your life because these photos hold our memories and one day we won’t be here to tell the story, but the photos will be. Forever and that’s where I come in. There’s no right time but the time we can’t get back.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Besides one time getting my camera stolen and having to replace all of my gear almost 2 years ago, I think my biggest obstacle has always just been myself. Living in a big city like Nashville you see that there are lots of photographers and people shooting the same way as you and at the same locations and you really do have to train up your mind to firmly believe that what you have to bring to the table is still worthy and worth being pursued . I have always struggled with that but I really have come into myself over the last 2 or so years and I am really proud of that.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a full-time career nanny of 12 years by day and a passionate photographer by end of shift/weekend.
I Truly do love children and I feel like being a nanny and a photographer go hand in hand which I believe is what sets me apart from others. I can pick up on the vibes and move according. I am willing and able to do everything I know I can do to keep the vibes high and most importantly the parents happy because let’s be real, if mama is not happy then no one is happy and that is where I come in. Once the session gets started I take mental notes of the kids and run with that. If we have a runner on our hands then the whole family is running and so on and so on.. leaning in versus correcting. I really like my sessions to feel like a big game vs stand here and say cheese because that’s not real life, and it’s not me. If I had to say I was known for something, I think it would be turning what feels like chaos into magic when you look back at the gallery and making you feel glad that you booked the session and finally all got in the photo.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
To just go for it!!! don’t worry about what others are doing, what their style is, and what they are bringing to the table, and just dial in on what’s true to you and the right people will gravitate towards that.
The beautiful thing about this work, this art is that we all have a different eye and there is room for all of us to thrive!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://book.usesession.com/i/nvJHFLMZvC
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kapturesbykesha
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1EXrUe69ag/
