When I launched my photography business in 2014, I focused on one thing and one thing only: photography. I was not concerned with “followers” or “likes” or marketing my brand; I did not have a website, a blog, an Instagram or a business Facebook page. My sole priority was improving my skills– all I cared to do was develop my shooting and editing, and book sessions along the way. Fortunately for me, I had lots of friends who kept wanting to hire me. In fact, at first, I refused to take on clients I didn’t know. I was already plenty busy photographing friends and didn’t have the time (or the legal contracts in place) to recruit strangers.
Looking back, I know I was lucky. But now, in retrospect, I’m kicking myself for not designing a website or blog, publicly showcasing my work from the very beginning. Literally every session I did the first 2.5 years is posted on my private Facebook page– a page not privy to most prospective clients. Hence, here I am 3 years later, digging through the archives and posting my favorite images. While my skills and style have certainly morphed over this time, I believe these sessions still represent who I am as an artist– and what my clients can still expect of my work.
In my opinion, the one consistent theme in my style over the past three years is my ability to document emotion and capture natural, candid moments creatively. When you hire me, you are not just another client. Before each session, I take the time to genuinely get to know your family. I ask you questions about your children, your likes and dislikes and what your overall vision is for the session. Every family and session is beautifully different and I enjoy the challenge of connecting with even the shyest of clients. Let’s just say, artificial smiles make me cringe and I will never tell you to say “cheese!” Ultimately, it’s my goal to capture your family’s unique personality and produce images you will cherish forever.
Speaking of cherished images, check out my first-ever newborn session (photos featured below) with the Taylor family in July 2014. As fate would have it, I met Lindsey during a paddle boarding adventure in Okinawa’s East China Sea. A friend of a friend, she was the girl cracking jokes and finding humor in every wave that knocked her down. She was pretty. She was witty. And we clicked. A few months later, she hired me and the rest is history.
Photographing her family was a sincere joy. Lindsay was so laid back and completely patient as I navigated the unchartered waters of newborn photography. The funny thing is, at first, Lindsey did NOT want to be a part of the shoot; she simply wanted her children photographed. But after a little coaxing, I talked her into it, and voila! The session was fabulous. In fact, she later told me she was so grateful I had persuaded her to be in the photos.
“After the birth of our second daughter, we made a great decision in hiring Kimberly to take newborn photos. I have to be honest, I was just looking for newborn photos but when Kimberly suggested that I jump in the pictures, although hesitant, it was the best decision I made. I will always cherish those moments captured in the photos! Kimberly was extremely prepared coming into our session and her ideas and suggestions made the photo shoot go incredibly smooth as well. She was so patient working with us that day and a week old baby girl! And of course, we were extremely pleased with the outcome of the photos.” -Lindsey Taylor
So here you go, a little resurrection of pictures past…a #throwback if you will. Here’s the Taylor family with their glow and in their glory… precious moments they can relive again and again, thanks to these photos.
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