Today we’d like to introduce you to Kindle Reeder.
Kindle, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’ve always been one to see things in “frames.” I grew up thinking to myself, “Man, that would be an awesome shot!” But, never had a camera or the time to devote to photography. That changed in 2008. I purchased my first Nikon, a D60 crop body and spent practically every moment since with it in my hand or researching ways to improve. I started asking friends and family to do sessions with me or capture their events (which I pretty much did anyways) and about a year or so after felt comfortable enough to start charging.
My passion lies in landscape photography and candids so I put my own spin on lifestyle photography and started putting people in some of my favorite places. A landscape within a landscape is what I go after, capturing emotion in an interaction with a beautiful surrounding.
It’s taken a lot of setbacks, a lot of scrutiny and a lot of people telling me that I should quit to get where I am today, which is nowhere in the grand scheme of things. That’s why I love this profession, it is ever changing, always pushing and forever improving which makes you strive harder with every session.
Has it been a smooth road?
HA! Smooth road! Definitely not. The world is a funny place full of people that always want to take you down. I think the hardest thing for me was believing in myself and not listening to the critics. There is something about creative people, it’s almost like we have a thinner skin than most. Always wanting to know if we did a good job, never feeling good enough. Pretty sure that is a strength as well, though. If we didn’t constantly seek that approval and praise we wouldn’t have that drive to continually get better.
Another struggle was finding my pricing and not being inhibited by losing clients because of it. Not taking it personal but realizing that your business has evolved and to eat and continue to run a business, you have to put on your thick skin and not take it personal. That sometimes it really is just about the money and if the right client wants you and loves your work, they’ll make it happen.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I specialize in lifestyle photography. Like I said before, landscape within a landscape.
My passion lies in those little moments when families, lovers, sometimes even strangers interact with one another and that genuine emotion comes forward just for the taking. It’s personal and raw. I just got chills thinking about it, haha.
I would say I am known for my landscapes and wide angle shots. I break the rules when it comes to negative space because I have that eye for landscape photography. Placing raw interactions within beautiful locations and scenes really is my passion and sets me apart from others.
I think I am most proud of sticking with it. Photography, I mean. Things get tough, people decide to go with other photographers, there’s one million new photographers each and every day coming into the scene. It really just comes down to who you are and how you connect with your client. I’ve stuck with it, grown strong in my business practices and continue to push forward in my learning. The “thick skin” coat I’ve managed to grow and store in my closet for those special occasions, I am definitely proud of as well.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Los Angeles is a GREAT place for all things creative. The inspiration just from walking down the street could get someone excited to be an artist. I would recommend anyone to start out here. The competition makes you work harder and the resources to learn are unparalleled.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://soulintentionsphotog.wixsite.com/kindlereeder
- Phone: 562 280 3734
- Email: Soulintentionsphotography@
gmail.com - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soulintentionsphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoulIntentionsPhotography/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/SoulIntentionPH
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/soul-intentions-photography-long-beach
- Other: http://soulscapes.bigcartel.com
Image Credit:
Chris & Shannon Starnes
Veronica Martinez (sam, aiden, zach, kailey)
Kami & Summer Kenyon
Ivoree Vailu’u
Steven Simmons
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
