Today we’d like to introduce you to Kiana Jordan.
Kiana, before we jump into specific questions about your work, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
It all started when I came home from school and I found my auntie who helped raised me crying on the couch. The reason why she was crying is because she was so tired of the financial strain that we experience on the everyday basis. So me being only 14 at the time, it was not that many jobs hiring a 14-year-old. So with the interest of YouTube, I started a channel starting with makeup videos to create a type of following and income to help my family out. I also related to makeup because, at the time I was experiencing acne and self-esteem issues. So I convinced my mom to buy me makeup so I can enhance my beauty and cover up my trouble areas.
As I started to have a following and promoting myself at school, I noticed my equipment wasn’t the best or how I pictured it to be, so I started from a camera that was given to me and using my aunties from out of town computer. So I did my research from watching my favorite YouTube makeup artists and knew what type of camera I wanted to record my videos.
So I was watching an infomercial (HSN) and they had the best camera I’ve ever seen in my life the Canon Rebel T4i. It was of course a sale going on and I convinced my mom that if she got this for me, I promised to bring revenue in and help pay for bills, etc. So through my persuasive presentation, my mom made away got the camera for me. I knew from that day that this was only the beginning to my success.
For so long, I played around with it, going around the neighborhood taking pictures practicing and also using it to record videos for my YouTube channel. It wouldn’t be a day that went by that I didn’t pick up that camera to something with my new Canon T4i. As I continue to practice my skills, I started to take it to school with me. As I took my DSLR camera with me, people saw me with it and wanted me to shoot music videos, take pictures for events, or even photoshoots. So I turned my camera into a money market just by carrying it around. I realized I needed that push and it forced me to become better. The more pictures I took the better I got and built a portfolio.
Through the portfolio I was building, I noticed I needed my own computer to edit my videos and pictures. So somehow, I convinced my mom once again to get me a MacBook Pro. She sacrificed and got that for me. I can still remember the first video I edited with my new MacBook Pro “Kiana, where have you been?” And I felt so much accomplishment and a real YouTuber/Director/Filmer/Editor/makeup artist etc. because I took my tripod and camera and did everything by myself. I went to work with my mom in downtown Decatur in Georgia and filmed and edit everything. So from that moment forward, I took my videos to the next level and I felt in what I was doing was paying off.
Just from my mom getting me that camera, I met some great people and life long connections just from having a camera in my hands. I’ve met the amazing Dr. Adia Winfrey from H.Y.P.E. (The Hip Hop Psychologist, Author, and now is a political candidate) through her protégée Brandi Williams who went to my school (Redan High School) who help introduce me to her, and also had an interest for the creative arts industry as well. From then on from my high school drama class, I met this amazing person named Alfredo to have auditions for TASF (Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation) 2016 Arts Summer Camp Production.
Through that I met Mr. Vern (Director of TASF), Kayvon Sledge (Audio Engineer and Producer), Cici Nicole (Professional Dancer), Aunt Set (Tupac’s sister), Mrs. Janella (Dance Instructor), Ms. Amber (Vocal Coach), and Alfredo (Spoken Word Artist and Instructor) who have such a positive influence on my love or arts which made me fall deeper into the arts industry and how putting a entire production together. They pushed me and believed in me so much. I was known for my spoken work and acting there but that camp changed my life. Even to this day, we all follow each other on social media and stay in touch which got me deeper into my connection of my loves: makeup, spoken word, production, editing, and film.
Even after the production, Mr. Vern called me there faithfully to take pictures for an event or record a video for an event to get my name out there for publicity and networking to get known for what I do, and each time I promoted my YouTube channel KianaJTv along the way as well.
Not too long after that, Dr. Dia called me and asked me if I wanted to be a movie extra for All Eyez on Me movie that was honoring Tupac. As I was known as a “Pac’s Kid “ already, I wanted that experience to be apart of that moment. It was my first time being a movie extra. Just to think how things lined up and how I still have a connection with these people through how I’ve helped them with my photos and videos.
Even at my high school, I did a film for Mr. Kevin Brown who featured me in his book “My Conversation with Life” which got me exposure as well. He helped me at school to stay motivated. I would come to his class all the time to edit and tweak his video book trailer that we created together. Even from there, he introduced me to Mrs. Boger who was assistant principal at the time who is now the principal at Redan High. I filmed and edited a couple of videos, which she recommended me to Dr. Franklin who I did some videos for her and her friend as well.
Not long after I graduated, I joined the navy and as soon as I graduated school, I flew back home and Dr. Dia called me to ask to come with her and film with some ladies at Patchwerk Studios.
So through my time being active duty in the navy I’ve felt that my videos have shifted and become more creative and apart of a production of everything as a whole. I’m reacting album covers such as most recent, K.Michelle‘s All Monsters Are Human and when Kendrick Lamar did his DAMN cover and just letting my creative juices flow and see where they will take me. I’ve even submitted auditions tapes for Tyler Perry Studios, The Real (for their theme song), and many more places.
Over the years, I’ve put myself out there and told my truth and dreams and every day to pursue something bigger than myself that will live on forever and ever…
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not it has not been an easy road at all. I’ve struggled financially, to publicity, creatively, but I’ve always had to reset myself and fill my spirit to find a reason to continue to move forward and to remember the reason why started. I know now more than ever is not the time to stop.
Some obstacles starting out until now was that I was hesitating charging people because I love what I did so much I’ll use my work as a “favor “ or gift to use as promotion. I was doing it as an exchange I’ll take your pictures or video all I ask to tag me and promote me to your family and peers.
After that, I noticed some people went holding their end of the bargain and it wasn’t until Mr. Brown told me, who do you know is doing something like you? I said nobody. He asked, Do you think what you do? You put a whole bunch of time, effort, passion and creativity into what you do? I replied, Yes of course!
He said well, you better start charging people for your service. Anywhere else, they would have to pay. That’s your time, equipment and money your putting into those services. So from that point on, if someone wants to book a service, I see it as a passion, not a job. That’s a living I created and with every service comes compensation.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
So the brand of KianaJTv is my own personal avenue of the crafts I love doing such as makeup, behind the scenes, lifestyle, editing videos and photos, and coming up with creative looks and short films. This channel is going to be your one-stop-shop that includes everything from entertainment and my video diary of how a black female is pursuing her dreams every day.
What makes me proud of KianaJTv, my video “diaries” showed me where I started and how far I’ve come and the road ahead. Thai platform helps me put out all my talents instead of confining to one thing. In film and production, it includes makeup, style, editing, etc. So on KianaJTv, I use those talents on a consistent basis.
What sets me apart from the others is my creativity; personality is like no other. My animated character and to offer and bring something different to the table is always a plus. The fact of being authentic and transparent throughout the entire process I believe, is humbling experience.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
The fact of being consistent and to have quality content, I believe is the secret potion. If you take the time to go over the details of your work while producing quality content eyes are going to draw to you. You can’t give up and quit! You also have to jump over every obstacle no matter what it is. A hiccup in the road doesn’t mean you should stop but simply means you are this close, so keep going.
Getting out there and promoting any and every day you can is a great tool. I notice once I step outside the house and network and have tangible products to promote my brand, it made people want to explore it more and like how you do this, and make a video, etc.
I can say Redan, TASF, my mentors, friends and family have supported me along the way as well.
Pricing:
- Modeling Shoot -$150
- Artistic Promo Package- $215
- Mini Video Package -$275
- Event shoot-$300
- Full face makeup-$50
Contact Info:
- Website: www.itskianaj.com
- Email: aKMJBusiness@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/itskianaj
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thekianajtv
- Twitter: https://www.twitter..com/itskianaj
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/user/KianaJTV
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