Kimberly Kay Photography captures the authentic and genuine nature of every wedding they have the honor of photographing. They always strive to create beautiful memories that feature the emotions of the day from the big picture down to the smallest of details. Kimberly and her husband Chris both feel it’s incredibly important to find a photographer that will provide not only amazing quality and technical expertise but also, photographers whom you can truly connect with. Kimberly and Chris believe that with all these qualities, you will truly have valuable visual keepsakes of your authentic love story!

Combined, Kimberly and Chris have over 30 years experience in the photography profession. Kimberly was brought up in a family of photographers and for the past 11 years has focused her fulltime career on weddings and portraiture. Chris has a degree in photography from Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, CA, and studied design at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. Within the last 5 years, Chris has joined Kimberly’s business and it’s been an incredible journey capturing the most amazing love stories all over the entire West coast and beyond.

Kimberly and Chris’s work has been featured in Oregon Bride Magazine, Portland Bride & Groom Magazine, Celebrations Magazine, Cascade East, Gusto Magazine, Central Oregon, Cosmo Girl Teen, the television show LA Ink, nordstroms.com, and Bow Ties and Bliss wedding blog, Jetfeteblog.com, amongst many more.

The Interview

1. What equipment do you use?
I have been shooting Nikons from the very beginning. I have several D700′s, and a plethora of lenses. The D700 is workhorse with great ISO sensitivity. When my mind’s eye composes an image it is always through a particular lens. I have to be honest though, I recently picked up a Canon 5D because I love the 50mm 1.2 that Canon makes.

2. Where are you located?
We make our home in Bend, OR. Bend is located on the high desert East of the Cascade mountain range. We are surrounded by wide-open spaces and natural beauty. Bend is known for it’s outdoor activities like skiing and cycling.

3. What type of photography do you like to create?
My goal is to create timeless, romantic images using natural light in beautiful locations.

4. Price range of events?
The range of prices for events that we are currently booking is between $3,000 and $6,000.

5. When did you notice you had a passion for photography?
From the time I was just a little girl I have been taking pictures. My father lovingly tried to explain exposure to me while I posed my dolls, but I never imagined I could support my family as a photographer. Following my sister’s success I made the leap in 2002, and never looked back.

6. What is unique to what you do or what you offer?

I believe great photographs involve collaboration between the photographer and the subject. I try to make my subject feel at ease with me and my camera. Having the ability to shoot in every situation makes the work flow smoothly and fluently.

7. Most awkward moment during an event?
Mistakenly calling the bride’s mother, her grandmother.

8. What is the scariest thing that ever happened during a shoot?
One time, at the rehearsal dinner, in La Jolla, the guests joined the bride and groom in releasing Glow Lanterns into the sky. With a breeze blowing on shore some of the lanterns became entangled in a pine tree. The fear of fire was narrowly averted.

9. Best advice that you’ve been given in your photography career?
Take baby steps, and grow a strong referral base.

10. Best advice that you could give someone else that is pursuing a photography career?
My favorite quote for beginning photographers comes from Henri Cartier-Bresson. He said, “Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst.” Learn how to get great quality with your gear. Know how to do it so well that it comes naturally to you.

11. Best moment of your photography career?
Every day there is a moment when the light is perfect, the subject is in place, everything is framed up, and my finger is on the trigger.

12. How many sessions/events do you do each year?
On average the number of events we shoot each year is 50.

13. Have you changed anything to adjust in the current economic times?
I haven’t done anything differently. I approach each inquiry as a custom job. Each client’s needs may be different. Our goal is to provide a great customer experience every time.

14. Describe your shooting style.
My shooting style is organic. I try to get my subject in the best light while not disrupting the natural flow of the interactions that occur between people. It’s a fine line, like walking a tight rope, trying to create a great photograph.

You can connect with Kimberly and Chris through the following website and social media sites:

Website: www.kkayphoto.com
Blog: www.kimberlykayphoto.com/blog
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KimberlyKayPhotographyOregon
Vimeo: vimeo.com/40324553 and vimeo.com/19483976