Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimberly Anderson.
Hi Kimberly, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I grew up with a darkroom in our basement in our house in Virginia and have always love working with images. I graduated with a degree in textile science from Va. Tech. in 1984. I had an internship as an assistant designer for a swimwear company in NYC the summer brfore I graduated and learned that I loved the city but did not love the design industry. Part of my job that summer was to work with the models who would come and go… for fit modeling, showroom modeling, catalogue and advertising. I was the right size and shape for modeling and these women would make in an hour what I made in a week… so when I moved back to the city after graduation I started working as a fashion model. I had an amazing experience working in that industry… I didn’t mean to stay in it for as long as I did but it was a great way to travel the world and get paid… which with an eye on design was such a joy for me. I expanded into doing television commercials and joined SAG and I finally retired after 30+ yearws after my husband and I moved to Hilton Head in 2019. I married a cinematographer and my camera skills continued to evolve as we both transistioned from film to digital. My first photography job was with a company called Bella Baby. We had moved to Connecticut in 2004 and although I was still auditioning in the city I wanted to expand my skills.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I don’t think smooth roads are always the most interesting but I have always been very adaptable and I love the art of image making and story telling. Challenges are always there… and some days it takes all you have to focus on finding the right balance between all of life’s parts and pieces. I do think it helps me to know what I am good at and where I need help and learning. Especially in a world where technology and life are constantly changing. I learned to challenge myself early on and I don’t give up that easily and always give myself permission to fail miserably… because there is often great learning in that.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Well… I am currently working as a photographer and I love working with big families who have a lot of personality. My early days with Bella Baby taught me great workflow techniques and my time in front of the camera taught me what to look for with my clients. It’s about collecting a visual slice of personality and and life. I want my families to look back at their albums and see the unique beauty of their family in that moment. Also, I have developed a technique for creating canvas prints from my images and spend a lot of time photographing local wildlife. This has come from years of working with digital images and goes back to the days of printing my film images using an enlarger and photo paper… only photoshop is quicker, more magical and doesn’t make your hair smell! I wanted to be able to add sensory details into a photograph, some of the “unseen” parts of the experience of standing on a beach with wind and sun and salt spray and birds calling… like a great painting does… I wanted to hang images like that in my house to look at. It has taken years but I have a technique that I am continually developing and I have started to frame and sell them locally. It’s a discovery process and it’s fun!
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Keep at it you are doing great. Nap if you have to. Keep an open mind but know what you want. Say no if it feels wrong. Have faith in yourself and keep learning.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.aboutyouphotographyofhiltonhead.com and www.digitalartbykim.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aboutyouphotographyofhhead/ and https://www.instagram.com/digitalartbykim/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090557284430 and https://www.facebook.com/photographyofhiltonhead/
