Today we’d like to introduce you to Kevin Pope.
Hi Kevin, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
As a child, I attended church 2-3 times per week. Needless to say, I didn’t have a full understanding of what was happening during the services so I’d sleep or play the whole time. My mother wanted me to be more involved as I got older so, at age 13, I’d help run the sound and video for the services. Sister Candy Thompson, the church videographer, was very encouraging, and pretty soon I become pretty good at operating a video camera.
By age 21, I began to help other churches shoot and edit videos. Church members also began to solicit me for services for their small business. Joyce Marie, one of my best friend’s mothers owned a photography business. Joyce invited me to come to a photoshoot suggesting that I should have “the eye” for it since I’ve been shooting quality videos for a while. She handed me a camera during the shoot and allowed me to co-shoot with her. I loved it as much as I did videography.
Shooting with Joyce gave me extreme confidence. I spent all of my following income tax return on my DSLR. It was a Canon 7D. I had seen YouTubers use this camera for both photography and filmmaking. I used YouTube as a means of learning the latest techniques. We people as to how I learned to shoot, I jokingly say YouTube University.
In 2014, tragedy struck. I lost my beloved mother, Christine Pope, to breast cancer. In her passing, she left my sister and me a small inheritance. I used it to purchase additional professional equipment. This was my way of turning my tragedy into a trophy. When I think of her, I think of what she helped make possible instead of overwhelming grief. It was also around this time I developed dreams of becoming a renowned filmmaker.
In 2016, I married the love of my life Charlandra and with her support, I was able to shoot full-time. During this time, I learned so much about myself and the photography/video production business. The most important thing I learned is what I’m worth. Working in the business you start calculating hours spent versus the amount charged. I figured out quickly that I wasn’t charging near enough to provide for my family. I had to learn that the hard way.
In 2019, I teamed up with, published photographer, Don Hopkins. We created The Kedo Co. LLC where we offer photography and video production services nationwide. The Kedo Co. Has since been published in multiple magazines including O Magazine and has provided video production to a wide range of companies including Fortune 500 company Robinhood Inc.
I’m currently a Creative Director at Christian Life Austin and Co-owner of The Kedo Co.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
In 2016, I married the love of my life Charlandra and with her support, I was able to shoot full-time. During this time, I learned so much of myself and the photography/video production business.
The most important thing I learned is what I’m worth. Working in the business you start calculating hours spent versus the amount charged. I figured out quickly that I wasn’t charging near enough to provide for my family. I had to learn that the hard way.
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?
I specialize in commercial video and photography. I’m becoming more known for video. During COVID, many turned to video services to keep engagement with their clients. My ability to take a client’s idea and creatively strategize a plan for shooting is what sets me apart.
Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Taking risks allows you to test your limits and sometimes even expand the limits you thought you had. I’ve taken a major risk when investing almost 20k for film and photography gear.
There were so many things that I could have done with 20k but I choose to take the next steps towards my dreams and aspirations.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: TheKedoco.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekedoco/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/thekedoco
Image Credits
Regis Price, Hosie Richard, and Don Hopkins
