Meet Kern Hagley

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

Hi Kern, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
The simplest way to answer this question is that I didn’t, not originally. It took many years but I just fell out of love with my professional corporate career. When I was applying to colleges way back in high school and choosing a major I absolutely had a plan and vision for my career early on. I knew exactly what I wanted the next couple of years of my life to look like and I was more than content with that idea. Then everything in the proceeding years didn’t happen at all like I had visioned. College started off great but became a struggle like two years in dealing with finances and health issues and underperforming in certain classes. I ended up leaving school for almost years just to get my life back on track. By the grace of God, I did end up finishing my bachelors degree but I was so worn out from everything going on in life that didn’t bother pursuing a graduate degree. However, I was able to find a suitable career in the corporate world but it wasn’t in my field of study but I had success there. Ended up staying in that sphere for almost a decade but half way through I wasn’t eager to excel or grow in that career path any longer. Had I not kept getting promotions or raises that kept me there I would’ve made a switch much sooner until I just got to my absolute breaking point. Quitting my job in June of 2023. Photography was just a hobby I had picked up somewhere along the way but it really bought me joy like nothing else had.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m just excited about the future. My first year in business hasn’t always gone super smoothly but I know I was called to do this so no matter how many bad days I have I going to give each day my best effort. I think what sets me apart from others is how much I care about what it is I am shooting. I still get nervous before each photoshoot I go on because I’m constantly thinking about how I can mess this up if I don’t do well. But then in the moment I turn my game face on and instantly become calm and more relaxed. The fun turns on. I enjoy capturing people in their element. I gravitate to more candid shots that way instead of straight up posed shots because I want to bring out the joy my clients have for their craft. Has it been easy, absolutely not. Each day is a challenge. Creatives often wear so many hats that a photographer is not just a photographer. They’re also the marketing team, sales team, admin team, social media team, bookkeeper, scheduler, lead generator, editor, so on and so on. Learning time management and keeping yourself accountable to the schedule you set for yourself or the goal you have often makes the difference. That’s being a business owner in general means making sacrifices who never thought you’d have to make in order to be successful but once you’re on the other side and the business is flowing and flourishing, it is so worth it. I’ve learned to be just a bit more resilient through it all. Not every opportunity is for you and simultaneously you can’t say yes to everything either. Narrow your focus then expand instead of trying to do everything all at once or you’ll burn yourself out. I’m not sure what I want the world to know about me but I do want to create something so dope one day that it stands the test of time. I don’t know what that thing is yet but I want to make something so everlasting it becomes my legacy, that’s my dream.

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.
My wife and I are mostly home bodies now that we’re in our mid 30’s so most of the places I’d likely take a friend would be food spots. Ellen’s in the historic district was the first place that I ever ate at when I moved to Dallas so definitely got to go there. It was nice little brunch spot that had good food and large menu variety. Terry Black’s or Hutchinson’s for some BBQ. STK to grab us good vibe and an even better steak. I’m kinda fond of a few places Deep Ellum to grab food and drinks too. Chilango in Dallas to get some tacos for sure! I’d take them to Grandscape since there are a ton of great food options and activities to do. We’d have to find a rooftop place downtown at night to enjoy the city skyline.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would definitely like to shout out my long time friend and fellow photographer Christopher McCain. He’s one of the most coolest and creative friends I have. He singlehandedly got me into photographer just visiting him one year when he was living in Shanghai, China. He recommended a good starter camera for me back in 2018 which was a Sony a6300 for my trip. I sucked but luckily I had so much fun capturing those moments I kept up with photography as a hobby when I got back. Then shortly after he came back to the states himself, he and I would go to these photo walk events a friend of his started called Streetmeet DC, who I also would like to shout out because I got to practice, meet, collaborate and work with other creatives that I still follow and talk to and can learn from. Just a gathering of photographers, videographers models and content creators just having fun taking photos. Between Chris and Streetmeet DC, I definitely would not be where I am today.

Website: https://ksoulphotography.mypixieset.com/

Instagram: kdotsoul_photos

Facebook: K. Soul Photography