Meet Karl Yost of Karl Yost Photography-Heart of the Business
How did your story Begin? What inspired you to take the leap into entrepreneurship?
Photography’s been part of my life for as long as I can remember. Even during my 30-year career in IT, I always had a camera nearby and was the kind of person who’d stop and take a picture of something most people would walk right past. Over time, I started feeling burned out in tech and began looking for something different. Photography is where I landed, I wanted to have more connections and less computer screens. I wanted to create and collaborate, and to finish the day with something tangible that I could look at and say I created that.
When you’re not working, where is your favorite place to shop, eat, or unwind in Yellow Springs?
- To explore: I walk a lot, it’s usually just walking the town, Glass Farm or Glen Helen.
- To shop: I would have to say the 4 Seasons Farmer’s Market on Saturday’s.
- To eat: it’s Sunrise most often, and coffee at the Emporium.
What do you love most about owning and running a business in Yellow Springs?
While I work outside of the village as well, my favorite work has come from the people and clients here. Some of my best work and my favorite experiences all happened within Yellow Springs.
Where do you call home, and how does that community influence the way you do business?
I call Yellow Springs home. The pace and vibe just work for me. Most of my work comes from relationships, conversations, and word of mouth, and this community makes that possible. There’s also no shortage of creative people around, which keeps things interesting and gives me plenty to photograph.
What services do people love most – and what makes them special to you?
There are two things people respond to most, and they really share the same quality. Events are a big one, especially when I’m photographing performances, musicians, dancers, spoken word.
There’s something special about catching people in that moment where they’re so focused on what they’re doing that they forget about everything else.
The same is true for what I’d call storytelling portraits. It’s all about getting someone comfortable enough that the guard drops a little.
In both cases, I just want to photograph people as they are.
“There’s something special about catching people in that moment where they’re so focused on what they’re doing that they forget about everything else. “
What are the top three things you love most about being a small business owner?
Making my own schedule. Working with other small businesses. Figuring out the things that work and don’t.
What is the mission or heart behind your business…the “why” that keeps you going?
Capturing people, places, and things is an amazing job to have. Being able to use those moments to help people and businesses succeed is another level.
What is the biggest challenge your business is facing right now, and how are you working through it?
The biggest challenge is the inconsistency of freelance work. Some stretches I’m slammed, others I’m chasing leads. A lot of it comes down to helping people see the value of strong photos and why it matters for their business.
What’s something that people might not know about you or your business that you wish they did?
About me, well I am 6’8″, and yes, I played basketball so now you don’t have to ask.
In addition to running this small business, what other hats do you wear?
I am a board member and the treasure of the YS Chamber of Commerce.
Can you share a favorite memory or moment with a client that has stayed with you?
One of my favorite moments was a completely unexpected encounter. A customer I met at an art show saw a landscape photo of a German town I was selling and immediately recognized it. She began to tear up as she told me she had moved away decades ago, hadn’t been able to return, and had no photos of her hometown. Now she does. It was pretty special.
Karl Yost Photography, based in Yellow Springs, OH 45387 and in business since October 2018, offers a creative, connection-driven approach to photography rooted in authenticity and genuine storytelling.
Guided by authenticity, creativity, community connection, and a deep respect for the people he photographs, Karl Yost Photography offers a warm, collaborative experience that empowers clients to feel seen and celebrated, whether through a candid moment onstage, a visual business project, or a portrait that tells their story.
Visit karlyost.photography.
Heart of the Business cover photo by Karl Yost Photography.
Heart of the Business is presented by the Yellow Springs Chamber of Commerce, celebrating the vibrant stories and unique contributions of local member businesses throughout the village.
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