We recently connected with Kimberly Richardson and have shared our conversation below.
Kimberly, so great to have you with us today. There are so many topics we want to ask you about, but perhaps the one we can start with is burnout. How have you overcome or avoided burnout?
When you’re working consistently and constantly, taking time to find peace is crucial. I’m a workaholic, so it’s something I’ve always struggled with.
It looks different for everyone, but giving myself space to process and pray is beneficial to my mental health.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I’m Kimberly Anne, I’m a photographer based near Royse City, Tx (a small but growing city just outside of Dallas). I focus on a airy, vibrant and documentary style approach in my work.
I’m very intentional about letting my clients do what feels comfortable in front of the lens and then adjusting them (or posing them!) as needed. No one wants the stiff, uncomfortable photoshoot – my job behind the lens is to help you tell the story – the candid giggles between you and your partner. The awkward peace signs in your graduation gown. You reminding your children to “look at the camera! Cheese!” and them inevitably looking at you and smiling instead.
There’s honestly no better time to book than now. I have lots of upcoming seasonal mini sessions; from fall in a pumpkin patch, to Christmas in a studio. I have multiple locations/dates – its a great way to get those memories captured without paying for the travel fees, the studios, and an hour of photos. Contact me for more details and time slots!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I’ve been a content creator for years and I fell in love with portraiture around five years ago. To be honest, one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned over this time was simply that I will not only never be “the best”, but that I’ll also never know everything.
I feel so confident I’ve mastered iso, shutter speed, aperture, all the cameras and gear and lenses – until someone corrects me on something or I read something on the internet. It upset me for a long time. I would convince myself that if there are things I don’t know, that I clearly don’t know what I’m doing at all.
I’ve found though, not knowing, is a massive blessing. If there was a “right way” to do everything, it wouldn’t be a craft. If there was a “wrong way” to create, would we be creatives?
The two others go hand in hand; it’s cringe until its not, and it’s rare that you can make a permanent decision. I’ve avoided doing things because of that thought ‘what if I look really dumb when I don’t get any likes.’ or ‘what if they’ll judge me.’ and I know a lot of us make decisions based off the ‘what if I end up hating it.’
I think you’ll find, just like me, that if people hate it – they’ll forget in a week tops. And if you hate the job or the direction you ended up going – switch. It sounds simple, because unfortunately, it is. If you take a chance, nine times out of ten, you really can just try something new. It may not always be comfortable, but you can always choose a different career. You can always study something new. Don’t like that post you made? Don’t wallow over it. Try again, and harder. Or don’t.
If people are holding onto your failures – I guarantee they wouldn’t have celebrated your victory either way.
How would you describe your ideal client?
My ideal client is looking back at their memories years later. They’re sending out graduation party invitations or hanging a canvas with their partner on the wall of their first apartment. Their looking to be met with an outgoing response to sending me their wedding shot list and detail goals, or asking me for outfit advice by location.
My ideal client is ready to share all the excited and nervous feelings. I look forward to not only the positives and the happy tears, but the concerns and questions prior to their photoshoot. Even the “Hey can you remove that stray hair on my shirt?” after I send the album!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/already.kimberlyanne
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/already.kimberlyanne/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089424404073&mibextid=JRoKGi
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-richardson-62a481318
- Other: Pinterest: https://pin.it/47Vo0KC0q
Image Credits
All images (outside of the photo of myself) were taken by me. @Already.KimberlyAnne
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
