Meet Kenna Knight-Schoeler | Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kenna Knight-Schoeler and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kenna, what’s your definition for success?
This is an excellent question! It’s great because the definition very much depends on who you ask. It’s subjective at the core and reflective of that person’s set of values. With all that in mind, success to me is achieving a sense of being at peace with myself. When I was younger I was very much concerned with what I thought I should to do over what I could do to have fun.

It’s a great feeling to let go of the things you think you need to accomplish in order to be considered legit, or valid, or worthy, etc. This sort of thinking comes straight from the egoic mind and any time you judge yourself against what others are doing or against some constructed idea of what you think you should be doing you engage and strengthen that egoic perspective.

If you like to look at it this way, we have two modes: one is a kind of judgy autopilot mode and the other is a present and loving mode. When you operate on that weird autopilot mode feelings like jealousy, self pity, and road rage are present. When you operate on that other present and loving mode feelings like gratitude, non-judgement, and admiration for the world around you are present.

To me success is living most of my life off autopilot. It’s being present to enjoy each day no matter what I do for work.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am an entrepreneur and professional photographer. I like to consider what I do as seeing the beauty in the world and sharing that beauty with others. I photograph events like weddings, elopements, and surprise proposals! I also do maternity, couples, engagement, and bachelorette sessions. I love this work because I get to help people document some very special moments in their lives, and doing so is very meaningful to me. The photos I take today will be cherished by children and grandchildren tomorrow and that brings a certain indescribable joy to my heart.

I am also involved in helping to produce a documentary film entitled ‘I Refuse to Kill: My Path to Nonviolent Action in The 1960’s. This is a riveting story about a man’s fight against great societal pressure, to be recognized as a conscientious objector to the Vietnam war. It details Francesco Da Vinci’s experience becoming a CO and forming the peace group, Nonviolent Action, here in San Diego that became a national movement. I absolutely recommend picking up a copy. You can find it at all the usual shops like Amazon and Target, and be sure to keep a lookout for the upcoming film.

I have another exiting project in the works as well, so feel free to follow me on social media @kennasheaphotography for updates on that!

Well, I arrived to this place where I am now by being honest with myself. Before I started my business I worked a more traditional job and I, like many others do, began to feel an increasing level of burnout that I couldn’t keep sweeping under the rug. So there was a choice, change things or wither. I decided to change things! As with any change in life, it was accompanied by feelings of doubt or apprehension but I kind of secretly love throwing caution to the wind – and so I went for it.
I am so glad I did because in this case, the grass was a heck of a lot greener on the other side.

If I had to distill some of the lessons I’ve learned along the way I would say to believe in your ability, keep an open mind, show up for yourself, and to trust that if you put work in the output will have value. I feel like that last one kind of lines up with the law of conservation of energy somehow.

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.
Oooh, this one’s kind of a tough one! There are so many amazing places in San Diego!

Well, before anything I’d take my friend to get some coffee at Bird Rock ’cause nothing happens without coffee. All of my friends love the beach so of course we would spend time at Windansea because it is just so beautiful. I recently had a client that I took to Windansea for an engagement session, and they literally said “I think this is the most amazing beach I’ve ever seen”.

After that, hmm, we’d probably grab a slice of pizza and a beer in North Park at Sicilian Thing because – chef’s kiss – I could live off the stuff. From there we would enter a food coma, so maybe we’d have to go home and take a nap before heading out for a couple drinks in South Park at the new Mothership because I haven’t been yet!

We would probably continue this pattern all week going to all my favorite spots effectively gaining 20 pounds in the process.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Yes! I dedicate my shoutout to my grandmother Helen, my father Jerry, my cousin Heather, and my husband Nico. Without them I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Website: kennasheaphotography.com

Instagram: @kennasheaphotography

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kenna-shea-photography/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KennaSheaPhotog

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kennasheaphotography/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.ca/biz/kenna-shea-photography-san-diego

Other: https://www.weddingwire.com/biz/kenna-shea-photography/7c4a95060cb04e73.html https://www.theknot.com/marketplace/kenna-shea-photography-san-diego-ca-2061896

Image Credits
Kenna Shea Photography