Today we’d like to introduce you to Whitney Sevy
Hi Whitney, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Hi! I’m Whitney! Of course. Thank you for having me! Photography is a great love of mine. It’s not only capturing beautiful moments, it’s documenting stories. It’s freezing those milestone moments and seasons of celebration, providing lasting memories to pass down for generations to come. <3
My love for photography began at a young age. I would sit with my grandpa and go through photo albums with him for hours. He would share pictures he had taken on vacations, with friends and family, as well as loved ones who had passed away. He would recall very vivid memories from the photographs; sharing the moments with me!
It was a special time we shared together and I knew that, I too, wanted to capture moments and memories to look back on and cherish always!
Soon, I received a camera of my own as a gift from my papa. I went through rolls and rolls of film, documenting my life. My dad would then take it to have it developed for me. 🙂
I took a photography class in high school and also joined the yearbook staff. I learned the basics of photography and dove head first into documenting as many school events that I could have assigned to me! My favorite was always capturing the real, raw emotion displayed by fans and players at sporting events.
I haven’t strayed too far from that, because documenting real, raw authentic moments is what I love most about my job today! Capturing the people. The beauty. The love. The laughter. The joy. The milestone and celebratory moments, to treasure for a lifetime.
I followed my love for photography into college and joined a photography group as well as classes, to continue to better my understanding, skills and craft. I knew I wanted to pursue photography as a career in early 2006. Friends and family started reaching out for me to capture moments for them. It took me until 2012 to get a Smiles by Whitney social media page active, and then off I went!
I continued to grow and pursue Smiles by Whitney as a part time role for 10 more years, until I left my corporate job in 2022, to follow my dream as a professional photographer, full time!
*It was really nice to reflect back on my story here! I haven’t really thought much about where my love for photography bloomed from. I just always knew it was something I was extremely passionate about! It means even more to me now, knowing that I am living out my dream career from the seeds planted by people I love so dear!*
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?
Not exactly, haha.
I think what has been the most challenging for me as I grew and continue to grow my business, is imposter syndrome that sets in sometimes, as well as the comparison game that can happen with social media. Keeping up with all the social media trends and the best time of day to post photos/videos/reels to feel ‘seen’, is a whole job in itself, too! lol
I also strive for perfection a little too much at times. Sometimes I spend countless hours analyzing and reediting just 1 or 2 images. No one else will even be able to see the difference, but it has to be perfect to me, for it to be something I want to deliver to my clients.
Finding new and different ways to continue growing and elevating yourself within the profession can also be challenging.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a dedicated and enthusiastic portrait and wedding photographer, based out of the Kansas City Metro. Even though I am based in KC, I love traveling and exploring new places. So, let me know and let’s go!! I am always happy to be a tag-a-long to adventure with my clients to different destinations, with my camera in tow!
I have a great love for documenting stories and I find immense joy in preserving those precious seasons of celebration to be cherished forever. I love capturing authenticity and consider myself to have a bold and timeless style.
My goal is always to capture the people and the emotion. The love, joy, laughter, tears and togetherness.
I specialize in capturing milestone and celebratory moments. I love capturing love stories and just beautiful moments in general! From engagement to wedding celebrations, growing families to multi generation photos. I capture a lot of family portraits. Whether that be at weddings or couples growing their family, welcoming a new little love, to large, extended family sessions, including several generations! It’s a great joy of mine to capture the connection people have and the love they share!
Capturing graduating seniors is also a favorite of mine. It’s a celebratory time for them as they’re about to embark on a next great chapter. It’s always my top priority to make sure each senior’s personality shines through every photograph.
I’m most proud of the connections that I have made and I will continue to make through this business. I have met so many amazing people. From clients, other photographers and vendors within the industry to friends of friends. I think it’s important to connect on a level where you are trusted and it’s easy to be yourself!
I strive for that with my clients. I always do my best to make my sessions fun and light, with a little bit of silliness and a whole lot of laughter! <3
What matters most to you?
What matters most to me is the people. The connections that I make and the relationships that I form through this business. Several of my clients have turned into dear friends.
It means a great deal to me that my clients choose me to capture such special, intimate moments in their lives! Real, raw, beautiful, celebratory moments.
It’s the greatest compliment in the world to continue to be invited back into the lives of my clients to capture more and more life events. <3
Thank you for taking the time to learn a little more about me, my love for Smiles by Whitney and the people who make my career possible!
I look forward to all the opportunities to come and hope that includes meeting several of the readers here!
xo,
Whitney
Pricing:
- Wedding packages start at $1600
- Senior Portrait packages start at $325
- Portrait sessions start at $325
Contact Info:
- Website: https://smilesbywhitney.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/smilesbywhitney
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/smilesbywhitney
