Today we’d like to introduce you to Ronald Knerem.
Ronald, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My story almost never happened… After surviving a dysfunctional abusive childhood, and severe suicidal thoughts, I gave up on dreams, I never imagined pursuing anything that made me happy. I just wanted to quit on life or try and survive through life, cause survival was all I knew growing up. Right after high school I had a life-changing moment as I went to church gathering where people told me how valuable I was and that I was born with a purpose. I believed that God may have the hope I needed. Several years later, I realized I needed to forgive my father. After I confronted him, I felt massive weight lift from life from hate and bitterness I had carried for soo long. It was then that internal freedom became something I strived for in my life. I pursued inner healing and more forgiveness, dealing with all the pain I accrued in childhood.
During this time, I had begun the road from going to school for engineering and playing sports, to embracing the creative and artistic side of me that I never knew existed. That’s because it was completely stifled and buried, the real me was coming out. I started playing guitar, then playing in bands, I went to many concerts, and all my friends were artists. The one craft that I stumbled upon was photography. Little did I know that years later I had a natural talent for it, and it would become my profession. I used an old Canon film camera to capture a concert and was amazed at the accidental creativity of the slow-motion blur imagery that developed. I told myself ‘I have to do more of this!’
I bought my first film camera and explored and took photos of anything and anyone I could! I loved it soo much, it leads to shooting video at concerts as well. Just for fun I shot portraits of me and my brothers for mothers day and they came out amazing! Not realizing I became a self-taught portrait photographer! I then needed to go back to college to get a skill, I had only been doing seasonal work until then and needed something better. Because of my love of graphics and imagery, I entered into the Visual Communication and Design program for Graphic Design at my local College in Cleveland, Ohio. While there I was still going through my healing process and working 2-3 jobs on the side while attending school.
Sometimes you wonder what doors will open for you in life as you start to walk out your own path. Well, I had applied for a job at a professional portrait studio through the school. They replied about six months later, I had forgotten about it. They hired me as a graphic artist and retoucher. I didn’t know at the time but they lost their photographer, and a month after being there asked me if I wanted to do photography. I was shocked, I only had hobbyist skills. So I said ‘yes’, and they sent me to get training from another pro photographer through his classes he held for a different college in his studio. Four months later, I was their studio photographer! I was in over my head. But, they brought in professionals every month to train me along the way for that whole year. It was an overwhelming year, but I loved it!
As I was very busy in this studio, I was also met with the opportunity to use all my skills I’ve learned through the years to eventually run the business by my second year. I ran the studio for about five years. In that time realized how very happy I was doing the work of an entrepreneur. I loved the challenge! I had thought I finally made it, I finally arrived to do what I’m gonna do in my life. But yet, there was something deep inside that wasn’t able to just settle. I realized I needed more of a creative outlet than just portraits. That’s when I saw my first episode of America’s Next Top Model. Seeing the fashion, the photography, the models, the photo shoot productions, I said to myself “THAT’S WHAT I WANNA DO!”. From that point, I pursued other fashion designers, models, whoever I could find that shared the same passion I did for fashion photography. Through a Craigslist ad I found three people that were passionate, taught me what they knew, and shot many photoshoots. I learned my craft the best I could, gaining experience and practicing constantly!
I had left the studio I started at, pursuing my own business, and working part-time for the photographer that first trained me out of his studio. I kept learning, more retouching skills, more photography skills, and also print lab skills. Up to this time about ten years had passed in this new life path. Awakening passion, dreams, and desires were awakened that had been dead and buried since childhood. I thought, “maybe it’s possible, maybe I could be happy in this life?” That had seemed an unattainable task previously. I went through yet more healing from my dysfunctional childhood, changing my way of thinking from negative, depression, and pessimistic, to hopeful, gaining courage, courage to really live, and gleaning a new perspective on life and what the outcome could be, even for me. I thought I was a hopeless situation…
At this point, I had moved to a new location in Cleveland, which was had developed into a group from my church to build a community outreach into a downtrodden neighborhood in Cleveland. The building that was attained was to become an art gallery, which happened after I moved to the apartment above the gallery building. Soon after moving in, I became the manager of the art gallery, Helping the Director of the gallery to curate and hold numerous events as a gallery. Yet again, an unexpected door of opportunity opens for me. The director trained me and gave me all their vast knowledge from extensive years as an accomplished artist in Cleveland and nationwide. We began to produce fashion shows and concerts at the gallery! This was unreal that my two passions in life were being put into my lap to help curate and produce in an art gallery! We even became voted as the city of Cleveland’s ‘Best New Attraction’! We were operating at a high level and being recognized for it. I got much more than I bargained for. I just wanted to help a neighborhood be revitalized, and in the process of helping others, my dreams were further unfolding before my very eyes! All I can say is God is good, I have life in my eyes instead of unforgiveness, bitterness, and hate that I used to have.
During this time, I knew there was more to explore in the fashion realm, I needed the next level. I barely had any courage but started planning to find a way to New York Fashion Week. As I did, people were put in my path that had worked in New York that are from Cleveland. They helped me get into my first fashion show in New York City! While I was there, the energy and passion in New York simply ignited me! It was a life-changing experience to shoot at a large scale fashion show in New York. I knew I needed to do more of this! My next location I wanted to visit was close to my heart.
Since I was a teenager, my heart has always been set on living on the west coast! I love the beaches, the ocean, the surfing, the skaters, the world-renowned concert clubs, the palm trees! At this time, I was trying to see how I could possibly be a photographer at LA Fashion Week. Through the same company I shot for in New York, Style Fashion Week, I got in to shoot in LA for fashion week! I was surely flying high! I was finally going to reach a place that was a dream of mine to be at. A dream that was seemingly dead and buried, like all the other ones. I thought, maybe these dreams ARE meant to be pursued? Maybe, they ARE good. Being afraid to believe for good things in my life has always been a struggle. But now, things are really changing for me. Momentum is building. I was starting to really see light in my life! I know a movie I had watched really spoke to me as well. Through being compelled, I had to watch the movie “Into The Wild’. A true story about a young man that sought adventure in his life, not to settle in the comfort zones that we can fall into. From inside of me, I heard the words, ‘It’s not the Fear of the unknown, but Freedom of the unknown”, meaning Freedom to explore, freedom to seek out adventure, into the unknown. I realized I was still battling fear. I had to say ‘Yes’ to freedom. That’s the most important lesson I could have learned in my life. I hunger for freedom, and I need courage to pursue it, to pursue life!
After all these years, in October of 2017 I landed in Los Angeles! I remember it was night time, but I loved seeing the palm trees at night, and the smell of the ocean air as I neared my AirBnb. My first sight to see, I told my friend to ‘take me to the beach!’. When I got there, it mesmerized me. It was over 20 some years in the making to fulfill this dream that frankly, I never thought I’d see. It was beautiful to see the vastness of the beaches, the ocean, the salt air, it blew me away. Every piece of LA I visited I fell in love with. I shot LA fashion week, on an outdoor runway at the Pacific Deign Center, and again I was blown away at the beauty around me. Toward the end of my visit I walked down Melrose to see all the fashion boutiques and shops it had to offer. I remember internally saying to myself, “so why am I living in Ohio?” Haha! Wow! The last day of my visit, and literally this was the first place that ever felt like home to me! I visited the John Varvatos store in Beverly Hills, one of my favorite men’s fashion brands. Then, last but not least, Rodeo Drive. This was it! The ultimate shopping, window shopping, experience for me! My favorite designer and store was Valentino! I can’t believe I’m actually in a Valentino store! Another dream come true for this fashion photographer from Cleveland, Ohio. This was a telltale sign of future things to come.
That first visit was in October, in March of 2018 I came back for Spring Fashion Week. And yet more signs and doors opening on my behalf, seemingly to say to me, “It’s ok to dream, and pursue those dreams, you belong here”. On my second visit to LA, I had been with friends at a church gathering with artists painting symbolic artwork. I look to my left and this painting spoke to me, it was a sign, communicating to me to get ready, it’s time to leave Ohio. The painting had a large clock with red birds flying away from it. The red birds symbolized the state bird of Ohio, the Cardinal. And that it was time to leave! When I returned, I wrestled with being anxious to see doors open to go to LA. But in three short months, a new friend in LA had a room open up at his apartment and I said “This is my shot, I have to take the leap of faith and go for it!”. June 2018, I decided to move to LA, and in September 2018 I drove out to LA with my two younger brothers on what would be an amazing bonding experience for us.
As if I didn’t have enough hurdles and obstacles to go through in life, I had yet another. It seemed like a test, maybe so I could see how far I’ve come in life? I dunno. But, In Texas the engine in my car died! Just stopped! At that moment, I coulda freaked out, but with the encouragement of my brothers, I chose not to. I decided that I know who I am, I know where I’m going in life, and that God’s got my back. In the end, the dealership paid for a new engine, they paid for all my rental car fees once I got into LA, and they paid to have my vehicle shipped to LA once the repairs were completed! So I had made a decision for me, I had chose to say yes to the voice of peace about my life, of truth, that I was not going to be a coward or back down form this trial. It was stressful, it was absolutely crazy to even imagine this happening on a freeway in the middle of Texas where I was. But I had developed courage and fortitude that over the years that would get me to where I need to be at. I wasn’t stopping now!
I can remember three distinct times I tried to quit photography altogether. I didn’t want to struggle, I didn’t want to barely make ends meet, I wanted to just stop. My last attempt to stop, I actually did get hired for a sales job. I put in my two weeks notice at the studio and lab I was working for. My boss, my family, couldn’t believe it, leaving what you love to do for a high-pressure sales job? It just wasn’t ‘me’. Well, as I did a lot of soul searching, I finally came to an epitome. It was that, to take this new job, “it would be like cutting off my heart, just to put money in my hands”. Money alone will not buy happiness, but fulfilling your purpose and dreams in life, that’s worth sacrifice. I quit the sales job, went back to photography yet again… I’m now happily living in LA, pursuing a fashion photography career! On an adventure, enjoying beautiful Los Angeles, meeting new friends, shooting in such an amazing creative city! I love pursuing life to the fullest in California. The best is yet to come, and I love Los Angeles!
Great, 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?
A lot of the struggles were being in a small fashion market in Ohio. Yes, there are amazing people and designers, but not expansive. Finding more opportunities had to be at time manufactured. Cold calling boutiques to do a lot of free photo shoots just or prove myself and add to my portfolio. In the mid-west, it can be difficult for creative people to pursue a career because it’s not always encouraged. Either friends or family usually asks, what’s your real job? That can be difficult to get through when your trying to develop your skills and don’t have a typical 9-5 working job.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Ron Knerem Photography – what should we know?
I am the owner of Ron Knerem Photography and Pro Image LA photography. Two separate categories of photo work, Ron Knerem photo is primarily Fashion and Model Photography. Pro Image is for Headshots, Businesses, Commercial type of work, Events, etc. I do all retouching, I have 15 years in graphics, editing, retouching, and graphic design experience. I specialize in on location and in studio photo shoots. Images I specialize in is Editorial, and editorial headshot Photography, the more creative the better!
I am very proud of the fact that the business prides itself on taking care of people. This is about humans, connection, and coming way feeling better off for knowing me and having the experience of a photoshoot with me and my team. The thing that makes me rise to the top is that I never take where I’m at for granted. I grew up the underdog and I’ll always be fighting to perfect who I am, what I do, and the quality of my workmanship to be first class, hands down professionalism at its best. I am very competitive, I got that from all the sports I played in my youth, I’m determined to deliver the best work to my clients.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I think the most important thing is to be authentically yourself, to be me! I am unique and have different experiences to offer in my business. If I tried to copy other people, it would not be anything special. My work or finished artwork and photography wouldn’t stand out. If we’re authentic and honest with putting our uniqueness on display, it will get noticed.
Contact Info:
- Address: Studio Space near K-Town
3923 W. 6th St., Los Angeles, CA
Office is in West Culver City - Website: http://www.RonKnerem.com
- Phone: 216-339-6906
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/ronknerem_photo
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ronkneremphoto
- Other: http://www.ProImageLA.com
Image Credit:
Ava Desari, Ashley Rockwell, Egith Van Dinther, Donetta Brown, Johanna Kowalski, Suzy Rowe, Ava Capra
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