Today we’d like to introduce you to Kenneth Paulding.
Kenneth, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My Story: From the Motor City to the Lens
My journey into professional photography wasn’t a straight line, but every single stop along the way shaped the way I see the world through a camera today.
The Detroit Beginnings & Learning the Craft
It all started back home in Detroit. I didn’t just jump into the business; I paid my dues from the ground up. My real start came when I volunteered to work for free at a local photography studio. That’s where I met my mentor, Rome. He took me under his wing and taught me the actual business behind the art—how to manage a studio, interact with clients, and understand the grind it takes to succeed.
While I was learning the ropes in the studio, I wanted to back up that hands-on experience with technical knowledge. I went to community college to study the trade, but a massive part of my education came from the digital community. I spent countless hours learning from professional YouTubers. What was amazing was that they didn’t just post videos; they actually chatted back with me from time to time, answering my questions and helping me troubleshoot my technique.
The Journey Across the Map
Life eventually took me from the energy of Detroit down to Alabama, where I continued to develop my style, adapt to new environments, and grow my portfolio. Every region has its own vibe and its own light, and absorbing the culture in the South added a completely new layer to my creative vision.
Eventually, the road led me to where I am today in Monroeville, Pennsylvania.
Where I Am Today
Looking back, my career is a blend of traditional mentorship, formal education, and modern digital community. From working and editing in a Detroit studio to running my own professional photography sessions today, I’ve never lost that hunger to learn. Every wedding, portrait session, and studio shoot I do is a reflection of that entire journey—built on hard work, great mentors, and a lifelong passion for the craft.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The Road Less Traveled
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Like any true journey, the path has been full of sharp turns, steep climbs, and a lot of moments where I had to completely reinvent myself.
If I had to pinpoint the biggest struggles along the way, they fall into three main chapters:
1. Starting from Scratch & Learning My Worth
When you start out—especially when you begin by working for free just to get your foot in the door—it’s easy to get stuck in a “beginner” mindset. The hardest part wasn’t learning how to adjust the shutter speed or position a studio light; it was realizing my own worth.
When you transition from a student or an apprentice to a business owner, you have to find the confidence to charge what you are worth. In the beginning, you struggle with imposter syndrome and worry about turning people away. Overcoming that meant recognizing that my time, my skill, and the unique perspective I bring to a shoot have real value.
2. The Hard Truth About Support
One of the most painful, eye-opening lessons I had to learn was about where support actually comes from. When you launch a dream, you automatically expect the people closest to you to be the loudest in your corner. But I quickly realized that family isn’t always your greatest supporter.
Instead, it was often friends, acquaintances, and complete strangers who stepped up the most. People I didn’t even know were the ones booking sessions, sharing my work, and cheering me on. Accepting that—and redirecting my energy toward the people who did want to see me win, regardless of whether we shared a last name—was a major turning point for my peace of mind and my business.
To be fair, there are a select few family members who did step up, consistently held me down, and believed in the vision from day one—you know exactly who you are, and I am incredibly thankful for you.
3. The Art of Starting Over
Moving isn’t just about packing boxes; for a photographer, it means completely rebuilding your ecosystem. Going from Detroit, down to Alabama, and ultimately settling here in Pennsylvania meant starting over in different states multiple times.
Every move meant leaving behind an established network, a recognizable brand, and a loyal client base. Every single time, I had to walk into a brand-new market where nobody knew my name, learn the local culture, and build a reputation entirely from scratch.
The Silver Lining
It wasn’t easy, but every struggle taught me resilience. Starting over proved that my success wasn’t a fluke tied to one city—it was a result of my work ethic. And learning who my real supporters were taught me to value the community I built, no matter where the road took me.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My Work, My Style & My Specialty
At the heart of my business is a commitment to capturing people at their absolute absolute best. I am a professional photographer specializing in studio, portrait, wedding, and engagement photography.
What I am truly known for is my vibrant style, precise retouching, and meticulous care for my edits. I don’t believe in rushed, cookie-cutter processing. Every image I deliver gets my full attention because my ultimate goal is simple: I try to make you look like it’s your best day. When you look at your photos, I want you to see the most confident, stunning, and genuine version of yourself.
What I Am Most Proud Of
While I am incredibly proud of my resilience and the ability to rebuild my brand across different states, my greatest pride comes from the foundation of love and family that built this business.
I didn’t embark on this journey alone. I am immensely proud that I started this business alongside my lovely wife, Lakisha. Her partnership has been everything. I’ve also been incredibly blessed to have the unwavering support of my mom and dad from day one. And when I was just starting out and needed to perfect my craft, my little sister, Bria, stepped up as my very first model and muse, helping me bring my early creative visions to life.
To top it all off, seeing my niece look to follow in my footsteps today makes me an incredibly proud uncle. Knowing that the hard work I’ve put into this craft is inspiring the next generation of my family is the greatest reward I could ask for.
What Sets Me Apart
What truly sets me apart from other photographers is my ability to blend traditional photography with cutting-edge digital art.
Before I committed fully to the camera, I developed a background in 3D animation. I actually learned to leverage this skill creatively while navigating some of the limited areas and resources available for photographers in Birmingham. Instead of being restricted by the physical spaces around me, I realized I could bring my 3D animation background into the mix to create entirely custom, interesting digital backdrops.
This unique fusion means I am not bound by the four walls of a standard studio or the exact layout of a location. I can manipulate depth, lighting, and environments in post-production to place my clients in visually stunning, one-of-a-kind settings that you simply cannot get anywhere else.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
Those long road trips are unmatched, man. There is something so classic about piling into a car, watching the landscape shift from the Midwest down to Alabama, or watching the miles fly by on that shorter run from Detroit straight to Pittsburgh.
And heading to Kennywood? That is the ultimate Pittsburgh tradition right there. You can practically smell the potato patches and feel the wooden roller coasters just thinking about it. Getting to cap off a road trip by visiting your aunts and uncles and hitting the park is the exact kind of core memory that sticks with you forever.
But the absolute star of this story has to be your dad packing a whole Big Wheel from Detroit to Pittsburgh. That is top-tier parent dedication right there! You weren’t just riding it either—you were out there doing absolute stunts, drifting on two wheels, and putting on a full-blown thrill show doing donuts around your grandad back home. Ripping it so hard that the wheel literally flew right off is a legendary way for a toy to go out
Pricing:
- My portrait and family session start at 250 an hour
- Weddings start at 1500
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kpauldingphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kpauldingphotography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KPauldingPhotography
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KpauldingPhotography
