What is one thing about your photos that says the most about you as a person. Dig deep!
I think my photos say I’m a mess, and that’s okay!! Really, aren’t we all? I’m a bit whimsical in nature, and I want my images to portray life as it is- but also the amazing magic that is always a part of life, but we don’t always feel or pay attention to. I’m not sure I always accomplish this, but it’s my hope that sometimes I do.
Can you tell us a little bit about the process you’ve gone through (or that you are going through) to find your photographic style? How has it evolved over the years?
I started with my DSLR almost 6 years ago, and it took me until last year to settle into a style that felt like me. I remember being obsessed with needing a long lens and only wanting creamy bokeh and completely out-of-focus backgrounds. Now I shoot most of the time at 24mm or 35mm, and that’s my love! I never shoot longer than 75mm. I’m always transforming though, and I feel that if we aren’t, we aren’t growing. Trying new things and FAILING at them is a huge part of the journey. My editing style is always changing, and sometimes it feels like I fall flat on my face with it. I LOVE trying new creative techniques and tools, and seeing what I get. My favorite thing is to imagine a feeling I want in an image, and to combine techniques, tools, and lighting styles together in a random mix to see what I get. This is FUN and it is so freeing to shoot and see what you end up with, no pressure involved.
What Lensbaby lenses have you shot with before? How have they transformed your work?
I used to own a Composer Pro and Sweet 35, in my early days as a photographer. I didn’t use them a whole lot because at that place in my journey, I wasn’t sure where they fit in. But what they did do was allow me the courage to try different things and to learn to sit back and see what happened! They opened up a desire to experiment, and that permeates everything I do. This Twist 60 was so fun, and the creative aspect is awesome!!! I took what is probably my favorite shot ever with it! I also definitely need to get my hands on an Edge 80 to try out that awesomeness.
Why is it important that photographers not get too fixed in their ways? What makes experimentation so crucial to an artist’s growth?
This is why I said above, if we aren’t failing, we aren’t growing. Being fixed means we’re missing out on the opportunity for growth, and for our path to go places we didn’t expect. When we experiment, we learn what works for us, and also what doesn’t. And that’s okay! Not everything has to be our cup of tea. But experimenting unlocks new doors to be awesome in ways we never expected to be.
ABOUT THE ARTIST:
Kim is a lifestyle photographer living in the midwest- way too far away from any ocean or mountains for comfort. She spends her days searching out sources of caffeine while attempting to survive her three wild kids and trying to keep up with her very busy husband and his never-ending projects. You’ll find her chasing kids and light, reheating coffee, and praying for a little bit of quiet and a whole lot of sleep!
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