Today we’d like to introduce you to Ruth Kim.
Hi Ruth, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
During the first year of the pandemic, I did the most logical thing one would do in the middle of complete and utter uncertainty: I quit my stable full-time job as a project manager at a social media agency and decided to jump into the unknown abyss of starting my own business! I’m not usually such a risk taker, so this was a big deal for me, but this turned out to be arguably the best decision I’ve ever made for myself. I’ve always been a lover of all things aesthetic and had a knack for taking good photos, but this career move accelerated this little interest of mine into a full-fledged business — and ultimately it gave me a chance to uncover skills and talents that I didn’t know I had, and which would have otherwise stayed dormant had I not made the leap.
I spent most of my early days learning and soaking up as much as I could. I’m completely self-taught, and while I knew how to press the shutter button on a camera and use natural light to my advantage, I had barely stepped into the expansive and gadget-filled world of photography and Photoshop. I learned so much online, from YouTube videos and other fellow photographers who generously shared their knowledge and resources (shoutout to Joanie Simon from The Bite Shot, Weekend Creative, and Haas House, to name a few!) In the beginning, I naturally didn’t have many projects, so I spent every day I could photographing portfolio pieces and test shoots, researching tutorials, sending out countless proposals on sites like Upwork trying to land a gig, cold-emailing companies for opportunities, all while questioning myself over and over again if I had made the right decision — but these were all absolutely necessary steps in my career that led me to where I am today. Now, I’m a little over 2 years into my business and I’m so grateful that I’ve experienced the growth that I have, and I can’t wait to see what comes next! 🙂
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?
It definitely hasn’t been smooth sailing, but I don’t think I ever went off-roading, which I’m grateful for! I think my biggest struggle in the beginning was figuring out my rates and striking the right balance between charging what I’m worth and potentially undercharging to get a job. In the beginning, I was absolutely selling myself short — and while this did lead to more jobs, it also led to burnout, a lot of self-doubt, and questions of self-worth, because I felt I wasn’t valuing what I was bringing to the table. Another big struggle, which gets magnified even more with social media, was comparing myself to other photographers and where they were (or seemed to be at) in their business. But over time, I’ve learned it’s all part of the journey and the best thing I can do for myself is focus on mine. I always remind myself: comparison is the thief of joy, and I have a lot to be joyful about!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a commercial product photographer and prop stylist based in Long Beach, California, and I create clean, impactful, and playful imagery and dynamic visuals for brands! I specialize in stylized still-life photography, GIFs, e-commerce imagery, and social media videography. My clientele spans all industries, including food & beverage brands, skincare & beauty, health & wellness, and more.
When I really think about it, I’m most proud of taking that first step into the unknown and sticking through it despite countless days of doubt and uncertainty. That first step not only led to the chance of growing a successful business, but it also catalyzed immense inner personal growth, which — as cliché as it sounds — is truly priceless. And as silly as it sounds, I think what sets me apart is my nerdy love for organization! I’m a sucker for to-do lists, shoot plans, and calendar reminders. I just bought a label maker! I strive to be extremely organized and responsive, especially when corresponding with my clients, meeting deadlines, being punctual on sets, and getting back to inquiries, which I think has all led to more and more opportunities for my business.
What makes you happy?
Here are a few things that make me happy 🙂
– Making my daily cup of pour-over coffee
– Taking my dog on a walk or to the park and seeing her run around with pure joy on her face
– Prop sourcing! I love just browsing around stores like Target, Daiso, or thrift stores for the perfect props to complete a shoot
– The feeling of successfully finishing up a day of shooting or editing and reorganizing my studio space
– Baking anything and everything
– A home-cooked meal
– Checking off my to-do list
– And of course, hearing that my clients love the photos!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ruthkimcreative.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/ruthkimcreative
Image Credits
All image credits to Ruth Kim
