Here we go...
1. Where are you from?
In west Philadelphia born and raised, on the playground was where I spent most of my days, chilling' out, maxing', relaxing' all cool... sorry, old habits die hard :) I grew up in Sherrill, a very small city in Central New York.
2. Did you go to school for photography?
No, not exactly. I have a bachelor's in journalism with a minor in French (I think I just wanted an opportunity to go to Europe... mostly for the photo ops). Post graduation, I worked for Eagle Newspapers in Syracuse as the editor of two weeklies where I was essentially a one-woman-band. After running myself ragged and realizing that I enjoyed shooting a story rather than writing one, I made a drastic career change and opened Kimberly Dam Photography & Design in 2005.
3. What inspires you?
E V E R Y T H I N G .
4. Photographic idols?
Mary Ellen Mark for her humanism. Pamela Hanson for her iconic editorials. The "father of photojournalism" Henri Cartier Bresson. And Josef Hoflehner for his amazing black and white barely there landscapes.
5. Do you travel?
Does Molly have spots? Haha! Absolutely! I was not born for one corner of the world!
6. How would you describe your photographic style?
Fun. Organic. Creative. Timeless.
7. Do you still photograph weddings?
Let's just say I don't seek weddings :) But when the right one comes along, I'm all in.
8. Are you collaborating on another t-shirt design this year?
You betcha! Design process is underway... stay tuned :)
9. What has been your most memorable shoot?
That’s an impossible question to answer! Every shoot has been memorable! I feel every time I’m able to step behind the lens and be in the present moment, creating something completely unique, it, by default, becomes memorable. Plus, my clients are seriously awesome people! I have been extremely BLESSED in that department. The amount of willingness, trust and sheer excitement my clients have shown me is just plain humbling. I get to do what I love while truly being myself in the process and that is just the MOST amazing gift!
10. Weirdest thing that has happened to you on a shoot?
Hmmm. Probably the time the cops were called. (Apparently, uneven terrain makes for "physical altercations" with clients.)
11. What does a typical day look like for you?
I own a business... typical is not in my vocabulary. Hahahaha! I love it that way though! And honestly, I do everything in my power to avoid anything remotely resembling a “typical day”... and I usually succeed. But there are some qualities I like my days to possess. Most days, I’m up by 6:15 a.m. What follows simply depends on what I have going on that day. A daily dose of yoga and hitting the beach for surf or a stroll is usually sprinkled in somewhere. Most photoshoots are scheduled in the early morning or late evenings. And editing, drafting blog and social media posts, invoicing, submitting print orders, answering emails, etc. makes up the in-between. And then there’s my dogs, Molly and Burger. But I’m afraid that’s another post for another time!
12. What's the best camera?
The one you have :)
13. Where do you want to travel to next?
E V E R Y W H E R E . Zanzibar, Bali, India, New Zealand, and the Tetons are priority.
14. What was your first job ever?
Soft ice-cream server :)
15. What was your first paid gig as a photographer?
Wedding.
16. How often do you practice yoga and what is your favorite pose?
Five to six times a week and humble warrior.
17. I see you're going back to Hawaii... AGAIN! Why?
Because I was told to. (See future post for details.)
18. What kind of camera do you use?
Nikon D4.
19. Do you have a favorite subject to photograph?
Hmmm. I love photographing people I don't know in unfamiliar places.
20. Camera bag essential?
You mean besides the camera? Haha! And lens? And backup battery? Hmmm. Lens wipes, I guess. Practicality takes the win :)
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