Meet Kenneth Munyer | Catholic Wedding Photographer

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

Hi Kenneth, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
This is an interesting question. I had my first experience of photography in the “Photography 1” course in High School, back in 2008. I was captivated by the art form, but I could not bring myself to pursue it full-time. I joined the Marine Corps in 2010 instead because it was more practical. In 2018, I went on a mission-trip to Nicaragua with the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS). I was able to fundraise the entire $2,000 for the trip, and I figured “why don’t I find a way to give back to the community”. This thought prompted me to buy my first ever DSLR camera – a Nikon D3400. I photographed great memories during that mission-trip and continued to be obsessed with the art form. Eventually, things started to line-up. I began volunteering at church events and even a few weddings. At one wedding in particular, I met my friend Molly who used one of my lenses during the wedding she was photographing. Thankful for my help, we further connected and she invited me to be her second shooter at her next wedding job. It was at this wedding that I met my mentor at the time, Frank. He taught me everything there is to know about the business side of wedding photography. I finally created Kenneth Munyer Photography LLC in October 2019.

All that said, I went into the wedding photography business because I desired to serve my community by bringing value through my creative expertise and huge heart.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
First and foremost, I am Catholic. My Catholic faith influences my art because art is simply an act of co-creating with God. It is impossible to separate my faith from my art, or my art from my faith. That said, I noticed how the only reason I am a wedding photographer is because of certain serendipitous moments rooted in my interaction and practice of the Catholic faith. Second, most of my wedding photography clients have been Catholic as well. As such, I decided to market myself as a specifically Catholic Wedding Photographer, for I feel this sets me apart from others. Some have said that I am limiting myself by putting myself in a box. I’d argue, I am setting myself free by generating a presence within a highly specific niche so that the right clients will come to me, and I receive them with open hands.

I am most excited about expanding my Catholic wedding photography to other states, specifically Colorado. I love the mountains, so having the opportunity to do destination weddings for clients in Colorado would be a dream come true. I’ve already purchased advertising spaces in several Catholic churches in the Denver area, so it is only a matter of time before I get my foot in the door in that region.

Getting to where I am today has not been easy. After-all, the wedding photographer marketplace is highly saturated and competitive. However, the combination of being Catholic and being a Marine Corps veteran helped me to discipline myself so I can “grind” my way to where I am today. Late nights, early mornings, filled out calendars and white-boards, all while working towards finishing my Master’s in Clinical Counseling. Like Jocko Willink always preaches – Discipline Equals Freedom. I’ll take it a step further and say that Discipline is the Way of the Cross, which is humble obedience to which path God has you on by saying “YES!” to Him!

I want the world to know that each and everyone one of us is “imago dei” – or made in the image and likeness of God. That this life is fleeting, and that love is the sweetest gift we can ever give to one another (love the choice, not love the feeling). I want the world to know that I am only a pencil in the hands of the Creator, dying to self so I can photograph the special and unique moments of my clients during their wedding days. It all goes by so quick. So, for me, nothing else matters except capturing their moments of love, which is to say, the little moments when God makes Himself known to each of us.

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 my best friend visited the Dallas-Fort Worth area, the first place I’d take him would be the Reunion Tower in downtown Dallas. After that, we would go to the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, and then the Bishop Arts District for some ice cream. After getting our fill of the city vibe, I would take them to go hiking at Arbor Hills Nature Preserve in Plano, followed by paddle boarding on Little Elm Beach. The evening would end with some drinks and burgers at LSA Burgers in Denton!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First, I want to give a shout-out to Father Kyle Walterscheid, the priest at Saint John Paul II University Parish at the University of North Texas in Denton. I thank him because, at the time (2017), he sponsored and hosted a group of Missionaries from the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) at the Catholic Campus Center.

This leads to the next shout-out, specifically, Matthew Schmerber and Conrad Collins of FOCUS were influential in not only the deepening of my faith, but also the deeper rooting of me in my own God-given talents and abilities. Conrad helped me get on the mission-trip to Nicaragua last minute. If I didn’t go on that trip, I don’t think I would have delved into the world of photography. Jenny Lynn Pezl was also a huge encourager for me at that time. She was the Catholic Campus Minister back then at UNT. Bless you my friend!

I also want to give a shout-out to my beloved friend Lianna Mueller, author of her book “A Different Story: Trusting the Greatest Author With Your ‘Still Single’ Chapter. If it wasn’t for her (also last minute, just like with the mission trip!), I wouldn’t have become a vendor on Spoken Bride. I’ve gained numerous clients from there which have bolstered my wedding photography portfolio to a significant degree.

The next shout-out is for my brother Frank Garnica of Dream Moments Photography in Austin, TX. He brought me under his wing and taught me everything I know about wedding photography – the business side, the art, the angles, client poses and interactions, pricing and scheduling, everything! Without him, I would not be where I am today! Mike Pantalone was also a huge help. Both these men acted like bigger brothers to me, encouraging me to step out of my comfort zone and into my own unique greatness within the field of wedding photography.

Last but not least, my family. They’ve always offered their ears to me when I share my dreams and desires, goals and passions. I’m a real pain-in-the-ass to them, but I’m thankful they put up with my crazy self through all my ups and downs while on this journey in life.

Website: www.kenmunyer.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/kenmunyer

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KennethMunyer.Photography

Image Credits
Photographer: Ken Munyer