Today we’d like to introduce you to Kevin Wilkes.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started with a 35mm Minolta XG-7 film camera and some family support. When I was 13 years old I met with the photo editor of Surfer Magazine with my sad attempt at action surf photography. He patiently set me on the right track, suggesting camera settings and film that I should use. I started submitting photos, but didn’t get many, if any assignments or images published. One day I got a call from the photo editor of Surfing Magazine ( the rival mag to Surfer). They started giving me small assignments and film and processing and lots of mentorship. Not only was I getting advice from the photo editor but also other photographers that worked with Surfing. I was the youngest staff photographer, I was still in high school. I was doing homework on planes and also taking courses at night at the local community college. At college I was exposed to the classics. Penn, Avedon, Robert Frank, Gordon Parks, Ansel Adams, to name a few. I applied and was accepted to an art college in Pasadena where I got a ton of technical instruction from instructors that were working or had worked in the industry. From there I got a job as an art director at a surf wear company, learning more about graphic design and production. I was also shooting model portfolios and actor head shots. From there I started just meeting people and submitting my work for different projects, mostly portrait work and album packaging. Things seemed to take off from there.
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 have had my share of disappointments and challenges along the way. I have had to take the occasional part time job, some of them sucked balls. But it just made me appreciate and be grateful for opportunities that would come my way. Just dealing with life one life’s terms. Sometime you work on establishing a working relationship with an art director or art buyer and then they leave their position for whatever reason and then I was kinda left out in the cold. But I know a lot of people that have experienced the same thing. So I try to just roll with it and learn from the experience.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My work started in the ocean, that is where I get a good part of my inspiration. The work is evolving and changing as I change and evolve. I have an old school approach to working with cameras and with design. The work I am most proud of is the images that I make for myself. Whether it’s motion or still. Sometimes its painting or refurbishing a bike.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Staying determined and openminded to possibilities. Sometimes success looks different than I think it should and being adaptable helps. Staying consistent and willing to do the work that is required.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kevinwilkesphoto.com
- Instagram: @kevinwilkesphoto @362magazine.com
Image Credits
All images, photography by Kevin Wilkes.
