Meet Kerry Woo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kerry Woo. 

Hi Kerry, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?

I’ve always had a bent as a creative person… daydreaming in school, sketching in notebooks, building model cars in my youth while determining to pursue a career in graphic design. Skipping college, I went to trade school to become a printer. What was fascinating to me in my formative years was discovering that I could create multiple high-quality reproductions of original artwork. A serious revelation! 

I also had a love of music and dreamed one day of designing album covers. I became a merchandiser at local retail record stores and landed a wonderful gig as a marketing merchandiser for the sales distribution side of Warner/Elektra/Atlantic records. Those were glorious seven years in the business when LPs were in their prime, the introduction of the Sony Walkman and cassettes, and later, CDs and MTV making a difference in how music was being marketed over platforms such as radio. 

Later, with a love of marketing coupled with technology, I worked in the Palm OS space, and later for AT&T Advertising as an Internet Marking Manager. I understood how software developers toiled to bring a product to life and the challenges of business owners to generate a profit while spending marketing dollars appropriately especially in the new world of search engine marketing over television, radio, Yellow Pages, and print. 

With my interest in photography from my printing days with stat cameras to documenting my work with merchandising displays and blogging with visuals, I carried a camera with me everywhere for the artistic version of “Fear of Missing Out” on a great shot or an interesting person or subject to share. 

Having grown tired of being anchored to a cubicle, I decided to scratch my entrepreneurial itch by becoming a professional photographer. The challenge was branding myself differently from the numerous photographers in the region. Google came out with a platform of capturing 360 panoramic images for not only Street View Mapping but for businesses to present to consumers a “view inside”. Having successfully applied, I used the Google brand and reputation as a 360 photographer to capture amazing images of A-List businesses and venues. Building strategic relationships while coupling commercial photography and marketing was a perfect fit as I traveled quite a bit to capture hundreds of spaces and architectural gems throughout the United States. 

In 2019, I was in Las Vegas to hear a talk by architectural photographer Mike Kelley. Mike shared about having a personal project to fuel a creative outlet. As an avid woodworker, I also had an interest in LEGO. I dabbled in LEGO when my son created a concert stage. Of course, I had to add real speakers and multiple players with visuals. 

The timing was perfect – there was a LEGO show in Nashville, TN and I got to spend time with three renowned LEGO Artists who encouraged me to pursue my passion of photography, architecture, and LEGO to create replicas of buildings I have photographed. 

Highly motivated and armed with a plan, I entered a LEGO contest and won several awards and accolades of a LEGO cityscape titled “Woosterville”. Coupled with my commercial and architectural photography, I was inspired to build replicas of the same buildings while accepting LEGO commissions. The LEGO community is just as vibrant as the photography community. There are numerous ways to improve one’s craft, be surrounded by talent, creativity, and sharing of information and techniques. 

 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
With photography, there is a constant learning curve such as lighting, composition, camera gear, technology and of course, great clients and subjects to work with. I took the mindset if I wasn’t shooting, I had to be in a posture of self-education. I’ve been fortunate to find different revenue streams, especially when COVID hit. I lost the income stream as an event photographer but quickly was able to leverage virtual tours for the real estate and high-end luxury and commercial leasing markets. The challenge was setting up a platform to be deemed “essential” while placing necessary safety precautions in place to protect all parties from COVID. Virtual tours “suddenly” became the rage as it afforded the opportunity to access spaces closed to viewing in person. 

 

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?
As a people person, I loved my time in the event photography space. From large trade shows to mega productions, they are all fun. A camera opens a lot of doors for wonderful assignments and some of the best clients I had the honor to work with. I really enjoyed the Pokémon World Championship with gamers from all over the world, the AVON convention – 7000 sellers, the massive NRA convention, TEDx, and many more. 

Celebrities are a delight; having a respectful and professional approach with a smile makes for a fun time. Kim Kardashian was an absolute delight and a super nice person. Tim Gunn, a real gentleman, NFL player J.J. Watt, very humble, and Larry the Cable Guy – super funny. 

I enjoy fashion shoots as well. Helping aspiring models build their portfolios is deeply satisfying as it pushes me creatively with posing, lighting, and composition. Seeing models move on to being published is indeed wonderful. 

Currently, I’m staying busy with corporate work – architecture, headshots, virtual tours, and of course, LEGO commissions. I’m building three large LEGO skyscrapers and a large replica LEGO minifig scale of my house recently built. 

All in all, I grateful in my short time – ten years – as a professional photographer to cherish all the relationships and mentors I’ve met along the way. 

 

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
The photography business is ever changing; access to cameras in smart phones, and advances in technology will only help fuel the creative side of creating content and storytelling along the way. There will always be a demand for high end photography assignments. As in every business, I believe in being in a posture to pivot where necessary. Seeking wise counsel from successful entrepreneurs and continue to constantly self-educate in one’s craft will always yield great results We all have various gifts and talents to offer; having a support network of strategic relationships is invaluable to share and reciprocate. 

PIVOT! Live Life on Your Own Terms! Always Be Learning! And be NICE to Everybody and say Thank You! 

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.kerrywoophotography.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kerry.woo/
• Other: www.clarity615.com

Image Credits
Marc Billingsley
Kerry Woo Photography