Meet Kemet Alston | Photographer

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

Hi Kemet, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My thought process for starting my own photography business was understanding what I was meant to do on this earth. Growing up I never knew what my true purpose was. I felt like I was not good enough to accomplish much. I ended up putting a Point and Shoot camera in my hand when I went Africa in high school. That experience changed everything. I felt that going that far away from home I needed to capture the movements on camera. After the trip I ended up getting my first DSLR camera senior year of high school when I joined the yearbook club. Photography became a hobby I explored because my aunt was amazed with my photos from Africa. My love for photography grew in college as well as my skills and my belief in myself. Photography truly became the first thing of which I was proud of about myself. That is when I knew photography was what God saw for my future. Since junior year of college, God put it in my heart to pursue photography full time and build what today we call Kemet Alston Photography.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
What sets me apart from other photographers is the love I have for the art. To me it seems like the art is missing. So many people forget there is more to photography then getting clout or trying to be around the entertainment business. We tend to forget why we as artist truly picked up a camera. We are there to capture special moments in time. How can we truly capture those moment if we are just going through the motions?

Kemet Alston Photography does not take photos. We make memories. We make sure that we give the best work we can with are heart. I can say one of my proudest moments right now was getting my first magazine publication. Last year I had the opportunity to have two photos published in an Atlanta based magazine. It was a blessing to work with two experienced models at a barn on the eastside of Atlanta. I got to step out my comfort zone and capture beautiful fashion style photos that I had never photographed before. Getting to that moment in my career has not been easy. I have had difficulties and I have had great moments. I will just say I am so happy that I have stayed the course and never gave up on my dreams. I have taken the long road to learning the ends and outs of photography so I can be the best photographer I can be. I will say that learning never stops cause there is always room to grow. I have had moments in my career that could have broken me but with good faith and the right people around me they have always encouraged me to never give up. I have kept the fight because I see a brighter future in my photography business.

Lessons I have learned are to stay true to who I am as a person and artist. Work hard and learn as much as I can as a photographer because its more than just pressing a button. God sees a path for me and believes in me. He has never allowed me to truly give up because each time I hurt he opens a door for me to walk into. God does not give me all the answers, but he does show me with my work ethic and love for the art of photography my goals will come to life.

If there is one thing, I want people to remember about my brand, it is that we took the time to make people smile. It was not about the glitz and glam but about loving what I did and being an outlet for people to feel good about themselves. I want people to say that Kemet Alston Photography truly made a difference in people’s lives with the camera by capturing special moments. Once again “We don’t take photos. We make memories”.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friends were coming to town I would def show them a fun time. My best friends would come for a weekend. I would make sure we had nonstop fun. Friday afternoon I would take them to a happy hour place like Tin Lizzy’s for tasty food and drinks. Friday night we would go to Puttshask for a fantastic night of competition. Saturday rolls around and we head to brunch with an amazing atmosphere. I would take my friends to Negril ATL for brunch. The food and music are spot on. After brunch if the weather is beautiful, I would find another outdoor vibe to spice up the day. Once we finish with the afternoon functions it is time for a nap. At night we would stay in for game night or I would take my friends out to painted duck or painted pin for great music, games, food and drinks.

Let us say my friends were staying more than a weekend I would also have few other places in mind to take them. The High Museum, Trap Museum, Piedmont Park, and Little Five Points would be other places I would take my friends. Now for other food places you cannot go wrong with wings. Wings are a statement in Atlanta. My two wings’ spots would be JR Crickets and The Bando. This is just a little bit of what I might do if my best friends came to town.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Yes, there are people I would love to shoutout.

The first person I want to shout out is my Aunt Lynne Alston-Leonard. She is the reason I am a photographer. If it were not for her telling me how amazing my photos from Africa were with my Point and Shoot camera in high school, I would not have gotten my first DSLR camera senior year. Thank you to my aunt for being the rock I needed to really be where I am today. I can go to her about anything and everything when it comes to my business. She is my right-hand person and I thank her for it. This journey has been a rollercoaster, but I am incredibly happy my aunt supports it.

Next thank you to my grandpa for always supporting me. He gave me my very first DSLR camera in high school. He also helped me buy my first professional camera out of college, the 5DMarkiii. He truly helps spark continued growth in my photography. I want to thank him for always taking the time to ask me if there is anything I need for my business. You have always been supportive of my photography.

Next while in college there were three people that have always been there for me in my growth and still to this day are a part of it.

Racardo Davis was the first person who truly saw something in my photography outside of family. He gave me an opportunity to collaborate with him as he worked on his music career. He believed in me and has never fell short of being an amazing friend and brother in support of my dreams. He put me on a path when I did not truly know what kind of photography I really wanted to do. I thank him so much for the continued support in my photography.

Alexus Person is a friend I met late in college. She saw the passion I had for capturing beautiful moments and felt my work was genuine and not for clout. Alexus appreciated how I was for the art and love of photography. My love for photography inspired her to pick up a camera as well. Till this day she reminds me how proud she is in my journey and lets me know when I am slipping. Could not ask for a more supportive friend then her in what I do.

Jessica Nettles has been a great supporter of my photography for years. She has seen the growth and always been someone I can talk to about my photography and just be as excited as I am with new work or opportunities in my field. She is another one of my best friends I can lean on in support of what I do. Thank you for still supporting this journey.

Last are my parents. Thank you for never giving up on me even when I did not know what was next. They have seen the good and bad but never feel short of reminding me they love me and how proud they are. No matter how long it takes they back me up in what I do as a photographer. With the long talks or just listening to me talk about special moments or giving me business advice, I thank you again for never giving up on my dreams of being a successful photographer.

Website: https://www.kemetalstonphotography.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kemetalstonphotography_/

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/KAlstonPhotos

Image Credits
Model Jasmine Hood, Vernecia Allen, Racardo Davis, Courtnie McCarthy, Bubba Mack, Daniel Simmons Artist 1KPhew, Latto, WHATUPRG, Andy Mino