IAM820- Photographer Helps Create Memories That Will Last a Lifetime

Kyara M. Lombre is a Washington native and earned a bachelor’s degree in Communication and Media Studies at Bowie State University, before moving on to Florida State University, where she pursued her master’s degree in Television and Film. When she returned home, she worked for Maryland Public Television (MPT), where she produced and directed documentaries like “Voices of Baltimore” which chronicled the 2015 Baltimore riots for Freddie Gray. She quickly realized that her talents and dreams were often being boxed away inside a cubicle, she quit her job with MPT as an Associate Producer and started her media company, Lab House Studios, which specializes in outdoor and indoor portrait photography. With over ten years of unique experience behind the lens and behind the scenes, she has continued to define and refine her craft as contemporary/modern, simplistic, and clean- lending itself to dynamic, engaging, and beautiful images. Ultimately, her mission is to create memories that will last a lifetime.

• CEO Hack: Allow people to see what I do behind the scenes, it helps me engage with them
• CEO Nugget: Find a mentor who is willing to take you through your business journey
• CEO Defined: Living out my dreams

Website: http://www.labhousestudios.com

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Transcription

 

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00:02 – Intro

Do you want to learn effective ways to build relationships, generate sales, and grow your business from successful entrepreneurs, startups, and CEOs without listening to a long, long, long interview? If so, you've come to the right place. Gresham Harkness values your time and is ready to share with you precisely the information you're in search of. This is the I Am CEO podcast.

00:29 – Gresham Harkless

Hello. Hello. Hello. This is Gresh from the I Am CEO podcast and I have a very special guest on the show today. I have Kierra Lombre of Labhouse Studios. Kierra, it's awesome having you on the show.

00:39 –  Kyara Lombre

I'm excited to be on the show. Thank you for having me.

00:43 – Gresham Harkless

No problem. Super excited to have you on. Before we jump in, I want to read a little bit more about Kyara so you can hear about all the awesome things that she's doing. Kyara is a Washington native and earned a bachelor's degree in communications and media studies at Bowie State University before moving on to Florida State University, where she pursued her master's in television and film. When she returned home, she worked for Maryland Public Television, where she produced and directed documentaries like Voices of Baltimore, which chronicled the 2015 Baltimore riots for Freddie Gray.

She quickly realized that her talents and dreams were often being boxed away into a cubicle. She quit her job with MPT as an associate producer and started her media company Labhouse Studios, which specializes in outdoor and indoor portrait photography. With over 10 years of unique experience behind the lens and behind the scenes, she has continued to define and redefine her craft as contemporary, modern, simplistic, and clean, leading to dynamic, engaging, and beautiful images. Ultimately, her mission is to create memories that will last a lifetime here. Are you ready to speak to the I AM CEO community?

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01:46 – Kyara Lombre

I am. I'm very excited.

01:48 – Gresham Harkless

Awesome. Awesome. Awesome. Super excited to have you on the show. And I know I read a little bit about your bio and I know it's great to hear that you went with that little quiet voice sometimes we hear when we're getting started and we don't know what to do or what not to do. So could you take us through a little bit more of that in your CEO story and what led you to kind of start your business?

02:07 – Kyara Lombre

Okay, so when I went to film school, I started out being a filmmaker. So I've worked like on the set with Nike and Goodwill. I did a few projects with them, and then I produced some short films. 1 of them was screened at the White House. So that was pretty exciting. And I think essentially doing those things kind of was kind of like my true passion. So being a producer with Maryland Public Television, that wasn't enough for me. It wasn't fulfilling enough. Like I wanted to tell more stories. I wanted to see what else was out there. And then I think also, once I moved on to being a business owner myself, I felt like it was important for me to help other business owners as well. So when I first started out, I started out doing videos. So branding videos and short videos about, I guess, documentary-style videos for artists and things like that.

And that's kind of how I was able to tell their stories. So it was still kind of the story-making kind of thing I was doing when I first left NPT. But from there, when people see that you're doing video, they also assume that you can take pictures as well. So I was doing video for a very long time and then my friends and family, they were asking me, well, can you take some family photos of us? Can you take some pictures? And I'm like, oh, okay. I mean, maybe I think I know how to take still images. So I just picked up the camera that I had purchased for video, which is a Canon, and went out and took pictures. It was quite an adjustment with the settings. I had to learn new settings and I had to learn how to pose different people and, you know, that sort of thing.

But once I started taking pictures and I found out I was good at it, I was like, oh, okay, this is pretty fun. It's exciting. It's still telling a story, but just through a still image. And then it's also, as far as comparing it to filmmaking, you get to direct your clients. You get to direct them on how they pose, the expressions that they give. So it's still sort of the same like they have the same principles as far as video and photography. It's just taking different, different pieces of those theories and principles and applying them to create a still image. And from there, it just grew and grew and it became bigger than the video. So now I strictly mostly do photography. I do some video on the side, but mostly photography. And I just gained a, I just love for it. And yeah, that's basically how it started.

04:50 – Gresham Harkless

Nice, I absolutely love that. And it's so funny how a lot of times in our lives and obviously in our businesses as well too, so we have kind of like a set, I guess, way that we're gonna start our business, a set thing that we're going to do. And then we start to try out other things. And next thing you know, that thing becomes bigger than you said the video part that you guys started with. And I love how you talked about that kind of storytelling piece and how it's very similar to our somewhat similar.

05:13 – Kyara Lombre

I should say what you're doing with video, but it's kind of a different modality. So you have that opportunity to kind of maybe, you know, express or tell that story in a unique way.

05:22 – Gresham Harkless

Yes, for sure. Definitely. Awesome. So I know you touched on it a little bit. Could you take us through exactly how you serve your clients? Like how exactly that process goes and the type of photography that you do as well.

05:33 – Kyara Lombre

Okay, so I pretty much do a lot of different types of photography. So portraits, lifestyle, cover events, product photography. I've done sports photography. That's, I guess that's mainly it for the most part. And then I do a lot of branding photography as well. So branding and lifestyle, kind of blend together a little bit, especially with social media today. And sorry, what was the second part? And just how exactly that process works. Do you have a kind of set process? Yeah, so to do those things, it's kind of like a, I guess, like a workflow. Yeah. Okay. So yeah, the client can go online, see my works, and then from there they can, it's kind of sort of like, okay, maybe I should start over.

06:34 – Gresham Harkless

Go ahead.

06:34 – Kyara Lombre

So, hold on one second, I'm just going to clap real quick. All right, good. Okay, I'm sorry. So for the type of photography, I always envision myself being a high-end picture person. So when you go to my website, I want it to be very, very easy to book. You kind of know what to expect before you get there. You're prepared. And then you go to your session, you spend time with the photographer, you get to know the photographer. And then you'll get your edited images after you finish. They'll come back within 5 to 7 days. And then you're all done. So I want to, basically, I'm trying to create a seamless process. But you're getting quality portraits at the same time. So our main focus is delivering high-quality images at an affordable price.

So with picture people, you can get like decent pictures, but you can tell like, it's very, the image is very flat is very 1 note, everybody's going to look the same as far as lighting and how the overall quality comes out. But for me, because I mostly do portrait, photography, documentary style, and product images, that's my main focus. I just want to create a very customer service-oriented experience. We're a seamless you go online, you book you know what to expect you're prepared, and you get your pictures within 2 to 5 days. So that's kind of the structure of the structure of it now. And that's where I want to see it grow. So more locations and yeah, from there just get bigger and bigger.

08:10 – Gresham Harkless

Nice, I absolutely love that. And I think that kind of those nuances, I think so many times in so many different industries and you definitely touched on it so well that you kind of forget that kind of customer-focused aspect when we were kind of running a business. And I love how that is really at the forefront because I think in my opinion, a lot can be done very well if you kind of set and know exactly what is to follow as far as the experience and setting those expectations. So I love the fact that you have that way that people can go, they can book, they can figure out exactly what they're going to do, they know what to expect. And when that opportunity happens, you do the shoot and then from there, they know exactly what to expect. Because I think so many times it cannot flow seamlessly. And a lot of times that isn't a great experience for the customers at the end of the day.

08:54 – Kyara Lombre

Yes, and that's so true. Basically, it's been my experience, like throughout the years, you find what loopholes there are in your business and you learn from it. And then it's your job to improve on that. And I think at the end of the day, for me, it's I wanna be able, I wanna create a lifetime, a lifetime product of images for the client, but I also want them to have like a lifetime experience. So when you come, I want to get to know you a little bit. I want to develop these relationships because they're very, very important in business. And I felt like in the beginning, I was just very much so 1 note, like, just, I'll meet you there, we'll take the pictures, and then you'll get them in 3 or 5 days. But now we actually get to know you a bit if you want to meet with us, you can talk to us via Zoom.

If you want to explain, you can give us a call, you know, there are questions that we ask you to help you flush out your story because a lot of times, clients don't know their story. They don't know they just see your work. And they're like, Oh, that's great. I want pictures like that. But someone else's story is not your story. So we need to help you clarify your story and help you tell it effectively. So your story doesn't get muddled or you're telling someone else's story just because you like what their images are or what their brand is. Their brand is not your brand. So Now for us, it's about really, really getting to know the client, developing those relationships so we can effectively tell their story. So we try to do a lot of that upfront. So when we get there, we know exactly what we need and then you can get your images back quickly.

10:30 – Gresham Harkless

Yeah, nice. And I absolutely love that. And like you said, because so many times, you don't realize that the product that you see or the image that you see has a lot of behind the scenes as you talked about evolving in the business, but also really understanding that person's story. And that is the manifestation of those conversations of that knowledge. And I love that you take that into account. So would you consider that to be what I call your secret sauce? The thing you feel kind of sets you apart and makes you unique that you're able to kind of take it, you know, from, you know, what would be like a photo into having a great lifelong experience?

11:03 – Kyara Lombre

Yes, I would agree. A lot of people after the session say they have such a good time and they'll be back. Before they even see their images, they will, when they leave, they'll say, oh, I'll be back. I'm going to book. You'll see a lot of just different sessions come in. I'll be back. Or they'll say, you know, via text message, they'll say, Oh, I had such a good time today, you know, or if we, you know, if I'm looking for something in particular, they'll share that information at the end of the session or if they're looking for something in particular that's unrelated to the photos, they'll share that information. So yeah, it's been like, I guess, yeah, you can say that's kind of my secret sauce is yeah, developing those relationships and it actually attributed to a book that I read earlier this year.

It's called the 5 keys to success, like a successful, 5 keys to powerful business relationships. I read that book earlier this year and I purchased it from the dollar store. I was in the dollar store looking around for different things and I thought, oh wow, they sell books at the dollar store. So I started looking through and I found that book and I'm like, okay, yeah, I need to read this. I need to know the 5 keys to a successful business, I need to know what those are. And they said it's relationship building. It's building those connections with people and networking and making it personal, making the experience personal. I think that's what's really, really important for sure.

12:30 – Gresham Harkless

I absolutely love that. So I wanted to switch gears a little bit and I wanted to ask you about what I call a CEO Hack you might have already mentioned this but this might be like an app or 1 of those books or a habit that you Have that makes you more effective and efficient

12:41 – Kyara Lombre

At least for my industry, I think what has helped me is to allow people to see what I do behind the scenes. People only get to see the final product, but they don't get to see the amount of work and the who you are and what you do unless you let them in. And that's how they get to know you and feel you and want to work with you. So I actually have, I do behind-the-scenes videos for my followers that follow me on my personal page. So it gives them a better idea of who I am. I get to articulate different things that I do. And I also, people can also comment and I can engage with them. And I kind of developed my community. So I think it's important to probably allow people to see what you do and they see how passionate you are about it, how much knowledge you have. And then from there, you develop your own community of supporters.

And believe it or not, those people will market you more than you probably market yourself. They're going to be resharing the posts that you show them behind the scenes that's really fun or they're going to be talking about you if they meet someone because you've let them into who you are and what you're doing. So I would say that's definitely something that like entrepreneurs or anyone, at least in going into my field, allows people to see who you are and what you're doing and see all the effort and the work that you're putting into it. Because people admire that and people love people who are like humble and you know have really really great energy and if you know that's who you are and you want to show your community that and they'll do all the work for you. You don't even have to.

14:32 – Gresham Harkless

It's truly phenomenal. And so now I want to ask you for what I call a CEO nugget. And this could be a word of wisdom or a piece of advice. It might be something you would tell yourself if you were to hop into a time machine or you might tell a client as well.

14:55 – Kyara Lombre

Probably look for a mentor, someone who is seasoned in your industry, and who is willing to mentor you while you are getting started. I wish I would have 5 years, 5 plus years ago, really done my homework and did my research to find someone that could take me through this journey. And it doesn't have to be like a serious commitment, but just someone I can reach out to, who's in my field that I could ask for guidance.

15:12 – Gresham Harkless

I love that nugget. And so Now I wanted to ask you my absolute favorite question, which is the definition of what it means to be a CEO. And we're hoping to have different quote-unquote CEOs on the show, so Kyara, what does being a CEO mean to you?

15:23 – Kyara Lombre

For me, being a CEO means like I'm living out my dreams.

15:27 – Gresham Harkless

Truly appreciate that definition. And I appreciate your time even more. What I wanted to do is pass you the mic so to speak just to see if there's anything additional you can let our readers and listeners know and of course how best they can get a hold of you and find out about all the awesome things you and your team are working on.

15:40 – Kyara Lombre

If anyone's interested in what I do and would love to see my photography They can go to my social media tags. My company's tag is Labhouse Studios. You can find that on Instagram and Facebook. Or if you just wanna follow me and follow behind the scenes and get to know me a little bit more, you can follow my personal Instagram page, which is Kyara, K-Y-A-R-A, underscore Maria, M-A-R-I-A.

16:08 – Gresham Harkless

Awesome. Awesome. Awesome. Thank you so much again, Kyara. We will have the links and information, the show notes, just so that everybody can follow up with you. But definitely, an honor was all ours to get the opportunity to hear all the phenomenal things you're doing and all that advice that you gave as well. So I appreciate you again and I hope you have a great rest of the day.

16:23 -Outro

Thank you for listening to the I AM CEO Podcast powered by Blue 16 Media. Tune in next time and visit us at iamceo.co I AM CEO is not just a phrase, it's a community. Be sure to follow us on social media and subscribe to our podcast on iTunes Google Play and everywhere you listen to podcasts, SUBSCRIBE, and leave us a five-star rating grab CEO gear at www.ceogear.co. This has been the I AM CEO Podcast with Gresham Harkless. Thank you for listening.

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