Kelly Wachs

Kelly Wachs Photography
Website - KellyWachsPhotography.com
Instagram - @kellywachsphotography
Located in Johns Creek, GA 

Photography by Kelly Wachs Photography

​How did you get started in photography?
I got started in photography because my mother shoe store was next-door to the town photographer who later became my mentor John Guyette.   I would ride my bike to visit my mother at her shoe store and just sit in Johns studio and rifle through his example albums. John was one of the best senior portrait photographers in upstate New York so you can say I was lucky. I love photographing high school seniors to this day

What do you love most about photographing teens?
I love photographing teens because these are the last years that they will be photographed before they become adults.  I have so much fun with them and it is very rewarding when they’re shy at first and I can make them feel at ease. Especially guys.  Of course, I love all of the fashion for the girls. But it’s the simplicity with the guys that I find challenging and rewarding. 

Photography by Kelly Wachs Photography

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​We see you have both a senior and a teen model team. What is the difference between the two?
The difference between my teen modeling program and my senior modeling program is that my teens actually are excited about being photographed.  My senior modeling team are motivated by incentives and money.  When a senior is excited to be photographed by me and to represent my business I feel very blessed because they have so many more choices now more than ever as far as choosing a photographer for their senior portraits.

Tell us about your special connection you are making with your teams and senior citizens.
I’m super excited about an idea I came up with it’s called seniors helping seniors. I help a few senior citizens in their homes, and I noticed when a young child or teen would walk into the room that senior citizen would just light up.  One day I was talking over outfit choices with a high school senior and they said I really want to be photographed and something different that no one has ever been photographed in.  So, we got a sweater at Goodwill and I found a senior citizen to help this high school senior embroider different words and patterns all over the sweater (see image below).  Needless to say her senior portraits were taken in the sweater and there is not another sweater around like it.   I’m going to connect a retired gentleman to help a senior guy build the frame for his senior portrait. 

Photography by Kelly Wachs Photography

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​What legacy or thoughts do you hope to leave behind for your clients?
The legacy I hope to leave behind for my clients are obvious. I want my high school seniors to look back and 40 years at their portrait and either have a laugh or remember something about that day and definitely love or cringe at the outfit they chose to be photographed in.  And I hope the images make it into their wedding montages. 

Photography by Kelly Wachs Photography

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​What else should we know about you?
I Was a painting major at Syracuse University. My style is influenced by renaissance painters.  I would draw magazine covers as a young teen you could say I’m obsessed with Magazine covers. 

I try not to listen to other photographers too much because I do want to develop my own style and not be so influenced
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What are your favorite podcasts and books?
So I have to say rich roll podcast was one of my favorites to listen to. It’s about business, living a healthy lifestyle and just being the best you can be. 

The best business book I’ve ever read is the e myth.
Another book I enjoyed and was very influenced by us by Stephen press field the war of art. 

Photography by Kelly Wachs Photography

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​Other than photography, what do you like to do?
Other than photography I love to spend my time outside hiking I played tennis I spent a lot of time with my friends. 

​What could you speak to a group about?
I feel confident I could teach a course and discovering creativity within yourself.

Photography by Kelly Wachs Photography

​What advice do you have for upcoming photographers?
My advice for any upcoming photographer. Is to stay in your lane and be true to yourself just don’t regurgitate what you see out there on the Internet.  It’s OK to be different. 

Visit Kelly on her website or instagram account above!

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