Image Credits
Lauren Nygard
Today we’d like to introduce you to Kim Arredondo.
Hi Kim, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I really cannot pinpoint an exact moment in life where I can truly say, “I knew I wanted to be a photographer from an early age.” At least I don’t recall it happening that way. I do vividly remember going into my dad’s dresser drawer and playing with his Yashica camera but nothing more. At that time it was merely a toy in my eyes, like all the other toys. I guess in a roundabout way, one may say, the seed was planted and it didn’t have much time to nurture. One thing, in particular, I do remember was wanting to be a cartoon artist, so I guess there was some sort of a creative side there in my youth.
Now I wish I could tell you high school was where my love for photography started but that is far from reality. At one point I did want to take photography as one of my elective classes but was short-lived because one of the requirements was to purchase your own camera. I wasn’t really upset, just a bit disappointed. My workaround was to carry a disposable camera everywhere I went and I would immediately have it developed once full. So I guess there was an interest without the love or passion yet.
Fast forward. I graduated high school with no clue about what the future had in store, got married, started a family and we joined the military. My interest in photography grew stronger and I quickly became bored with the disposable camera and wanted the real thing. So my husband bought me a real camera that I still have today, a Canon Rebel G. We became best friends and that’s where my love for photography began. At this point, I was never in the pictures but always the one taking the pictures. So it’s 1997 and now you think this is when I became a professional photographer, not the case! I went to school for cosmetology and that’s exactly what I did for 5 years and I truly enjoyed it.
In 2003 we were stationed in England for 4 years and that’s where I started fiddling with my camera again, here and there capturing memories of our time there. It wasn’t until coming back to the states that I realized how important those pictures were to me and how important the pictures became to the families I took in England. They weren’t professional pictures but they were precious moments that became important. So there it is, it all began with playing with a camera, to having an interest, a hobby, and now being a professional photographer.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I never assumed having a small business was going to be a smooth ride by taking a few pictures, meeting new families, and building relationships. The photography business was going to have a lot more in store for me. I understood from the get-go that there were going to be some challenges with a lot of bumps and curves throughout. I needed to learn how to prioritize my personal and business life, two loves but with different needs. I’ve experienced 10 years in this business and along the way my family has grown and so has the learning process. When your family and business grow you’re always going to have to readjust. Family and business needs will always change.
I definitely came across the struggles of owning a small business and soon developed a love /hate relationship with photography. The part I love is meeting new families, capturing that beautiful moment in a person’s life, and watching the images come to life during post-production. The part I hated was the marketing, financial and legal side of the business. There have been a few times I just wanted to throw in the towel. You wear many hats owning a small business and it becomes very challenging trying to maintain and juggle everything at once.
If I had to tell you what my biggest challenge was, it would be learning to run my business legitimately and not like a side gig. I didn’t attend photography school so everything during the first few years was solely self-taught. I eventually realized a change had to be made in the investment part of my business. I felt there had to be an investment made in other small businesses in order to grow. As I outsourced in better equipment, different vendors, and education I started to see a significant change. Supporting small businesses is lending a helping hand and in turn, receiving a helping hand.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Kim Arredondo Photography?
My love in photography is maternity, newborn, children, and family portraits. I have the pleasure of witnessing small intimate moments while photographing people’s lives. I have been inspired at times by the love and bond that families have toward one another. Watching a parent awe over tiny hands and feet, a first attempt toward crawling, smiling, or even taking that first step toward independence is a beautiful site to see. To capture these moments I love to use natural lighting but studio light is always an option.
It brings me great joy when I’m told I have a way of capturing authentic moments and making people feel at home during their sessions. Every family is different so I focus on the moment and their interactions with one another instead of forcing something that isn’t natural for their family. Laughing with my clients and getting to know them is an amazing part of every session. I enjoy capturing different and amazing stories through the scope of my lens.
It is important that my clients come stress-free, so I offer an in-person or over-the-phone consultation to answer any questions or concerns about the session. All my clients are welcome to use outfits from my client closet and props collection to ease the process a bit. I offer digital collections with the option to purchase products if desired.
Contact Info:
- Website: kimarredondophotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimarredondophotography
- Facebook: hats://www.facebook.com/kimarredondophotography
