Alumni Spotlight: LeWayne Productions

Kalamazoo Valley alumni Allen and Abby Burch, 33 and 34 years-old respectively, have engaging careers that keep them passionate about the work they do. In addition to full-time marketing positions with their employers, the duo operates their own business, LeWayne Productions.

"LeWayne productions is a part-time side gig," Abby explained. "We operate it this way so that we can enjoy our work and stay passionate about what we do. We mostly provide professional photography and hi-quality branding."

The couple married in 2010 and established their business a year later while still pursuing their degrees at Kalamazoo Valley. They credit their experiences at the college for leading them to their careers and for inspiring them to start LeWayne Productions. Allen notes that they are especially grateful for the connections they made while taking classes.

"We really valued our professors," he said. "Shout-out to professor Aubrey Rodgers. She was actually the person who inspired us to start our own business. Not only was she encouraging of our dreams but she was also encouraging in the classroom too."

Abby graduated with an administrative assistant degree in 2012 and Allen with a time-based media degree in 2013. "We chose Valley for the diverse educational options that met our needs as non-traditional students," Abby said. The two were reverse transfer and commuter students and note that the college's diverse class offerings were instrumental in their journeys.

"It's never a bad option to go to a community college," Allen said. "It's more affordable while still trying to figure out what you want to do. It exposes you to new opportunities and experiences that you have yet to become passionate about."

The Sturgis, MI natives added numerous experiences to their portfolios through their work with LeWayne Productions. "We started off doing anything and everything, from newborn photos to weddings," Abby said. "As the years progressed, we narrowed down our focus." Abby was ordained in 2019 and later officiated for clients during the COVID-19 pandemic. This offered additional service at weddings where guest attendance was limited.

Over the years, LeWayne Productions has provided the couple with opportunities to travel the country, including San Francisco to capture photography for a wedding in the mountains. Their travels eventually brought them to St. George, Utah, where they currently reside.

Allen notes that their experiences with Kalamazoo Valley have also been beneficial outside of work with LeWayne productions. "It's given me lots of opportunities in my daily job," he said. "I've had the pleasure of working with many major companies, including Harley Davidson."

The couple says what they most value about their careers is being entrusted to capture special moments in people's lives. "We've gotten to see families grow over the years as we document their important milestones," Abby said. "Being trusted to capture memories that they can forever look back on is meaningful."

Learn more about LeWayne Productions here. Fall semester begins Sept. 4. Register now at www.kvcc.edu/register.