Meet Trailblazer Kymberli Darling

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kymberli Darling.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Kymberli. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’m an Atlanta-based photographer, retoucher and content creator. I started out self-taught and later received a Bachelor’s degree in Photography and Marketing. I’m currently doing photography and content creation on a freelance basis. Growing up, I was always interested in the visual arts. I used to draw and paint a lot until I was introduced to photography in high school. It immediately clicked. Photography for me was an outlet. I was naturally shy, but being behind the camera gave me the opportunity to connect with people and in a way allowed me to overcome that shyness. I especially love shooting portraits of everyday people. I like giving them the opportunity to see themselves in another light and showcase their beauty. I feel like I’ve gained confidence behind the camera while giving people confidence in front of it. From my interest in photography, I began retouching and producing creative content.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
An obstacle that I’ve faced has been finding balance with all my different interests. As women, we are constantly being boxed into what we are “supposed” to so breaking that barrier has been important to me. Finding my own path has been important to me. I’m curious about so many things from shooting weddings and conceptual self-portraits to finding compelling ways to narrate a brand story. I film and edit video, I’m a part-time YouTuber “Kymberli Brenzell,” I’m a branding creative consultant for new businesses, and also work at an advertising agency full-time. My interest do feed off each other, so I’m currently in the process of figuring out how they can all coexist more seamlessly. I work hard in each arena and in all, I believe it makes my work more interesting.

My advice for women in similar journeys is to not box yourself into one category. When I first started out, it seemed like I was doing way too much. It did not seem like what I was doing was coming together. (Even for me) But the more time I spent doing everything I loved, the more I found ways for them to work together. My full-time job keeps me up to date on marketing trends and tactics while also giving me a financially stable lifestyle while I work creatively in freelance. My YouTube channel is one of my biggest marketing avenues that help drive traffic and allows exposure for me to gain new photography clientele. From my YouTube and marketing work, I have gained trust from brands and small businesses to help direct their creative image.

So many times, people have told me to just focus on one thing, but for me, I’ve always saw a bigger picture. Understanding that your journey won’t be a replica of anyone else’s is also KEY! Explore all of your curiosities. Learn all you can. If it’s something that you are naturally gifted in, it’s up to you to figure out how you’re supposed to use it.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Kymberli Darling Photography – what should we know?
Kymberli Darling Photography is a full-service photography company. I shoot everything from Weddings, lifestyle, to fashion photography. I specialize in natural light photography but can also work within a studio. Each one of my shoots and the experience is unique. I aim to take the time to understand what exactly my client wants out of their shoot and finds ways to exceed their expectations. My work is warm, moody and relaxed. I take a photojournalist approach when shooting to give my work a more casual, lifestyle feel. What I’m most proud of is my ability to inspire other photographers and content creators in the process. I make it my mission to respond back truthfully to any aspiring artist who reaches out to me for advice or critique. That kind of attention is what helped me along the way. I just want to be able to give back in some capacity.

What’s the most important piece of advice you could give to a young woman just starting her career?
Some advice I’d give to someone just starting out is to have confidence in your work at whatever level you’re at. There will always be room for improvement so don’t stress too hard on what you’re lacking and focus on what you’re excelling in instead. I feel that one of the biggest barriers could be ourselves and our confidence in our own work. Photography and visual arts, in general, is a competitive, seemingly over-saturated industry, so it can be easy to fall into the comparison trap or doubt our worth as an artist. I think getting past yourself and trusting our skill, not fears, is a barrier most of us have to face.

Pricing:

• Weddings Start at $1050
• Portrait Sessions start at $170

Contact Info:

• Website: kymberlidarling.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @KymberliBrenzell

Image Credit:
All Photos by Kymberli Darling Photography

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