Meet Kay Kawada | Personal Branding Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kay Kawada and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kay, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
My business River Eight & Co helps the community of small business entrepreneurs and creatives with their online presence with content and strategy. I make sure to provide my clients with beautiful images by bringing out their personalities that will attract their ideal clientle. I am all about community over competition and love empowering women so they can be at their best and create photos of them to help pursue their dreams.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I have been a professional photographer for about 10 years now. I also have an another business called KAWADA PHOTOGRAPHY (www.kawadaphotography.com) So for me, I knew my settings, editing skills, and biz but what I learned that is SO important in personal branding is seeing how the client sees things. To learn how to get the best faces, smiles, personality out from that client was a learning curve for me. I have no shame in my game when it comes to dad jokes, making funny faces and making sure my clients feel comfortable, so I can photograph their genuine selves. As an introvert this was something I had to overcome. I love coming up with ideas for the clients to deliver more content for them and see watching them thrive on their social media is so rewarding.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If I had a week with my best friend and there was no covid restrictions, I would definitely take her to all of the good food places, hit the beach and a high end spa like Ponte Vedra Inn & Club. I would also take her on some of Florida’s natural springs to swim check out all that the area has to offer. I don’t really party anymore but some dancing would be fun!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
To get to where I am now, I have had many people help me along the way. I have read many books, listen to hours of podcasts and definately thanks to my current mentor Gregory Grant from the SBDC, Personal Branding photographer mentor Angie Mcpherson at https://angiemcpherson.com, Amber Romeo with all advice and social media from A.CreativeCo. (https://www.acreativeco.com) and my business besties I talk to often for advice, Maris Barry from www.mariskirsphotography.com and Melissa Anderson from https://www.shoplifeandstyle.com. AND OF COURSE I can’t leave out my husband who always holds the fort down when I need to work on chasing my dreams.

Website: www.rivereightandco.com

Instagram: @rivereightandco

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rivereightandco

Facebook: @rivereightandco

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbSHxiFMNkv_p89eWCgz7tw

Other: Tiktok: @rivereightandco

Image Credits
Jordan Keenan Photography https://www.jordankeenanphotography.com