Inspired, A Very Special Project | Courtney Keim Photography

    Already time for a new week and a new fresh amazing photographer. If you are completely new to this project and are stumbling upon this week’s most recent post be sure to head back and take in the amazing eye candy from the first two featured Photographers Sarah Phillips and Lisa Tichane’ from the past two weeks. When I first began brainstorming how I wanted to go about this project I thought it would be amazing to interview a photographer a week for an entire 52 weeks of the year. There is such a range of talent in this industry. So many different kinds of photographers. Some specializing in weddings, others in families and so on and so on. I remember starting out being totally overwhelmed with the idea that you could come into this industry and be anywhere near as good let alone find a way to embody even half of the vision some of the photographers I was coming across seemed to grasp in their work. I was moved and enthralled and obsessed. And as I slowly began to fall into my own style it only made me appreciate them that much more. As this project progresses I hope you will find the same shock, awe and inspiration I did. I had such an overwhelming response there will even be two photographers featured some weeks! Lots of inspiration to be had!

    This week is someone I consider not only to be one of my favorite photographers but also a friend! Courtney Keim of Courtney Keim Photography is down to earth, insanely talented and an absolute breath of fresh air! She is a total creative genius in the web design world as well and I am beginning to wonder if there is anything at all she is possibly not good at. I seriously have my doubts! With her clean but colorful processing, astounding ability to capture connection and true to life beautiful one of a kind moments, and her eye for detail I am totally in love with every single photo she produces. She is also a member like myself of Clickinmom Pro. Incredibly web savvy, she has such an eye for design and seems to only get better with time. And oh yeah… TOTALLY gorgeous. Right?! Total package over here!

    You can find her Website HERE and her Twitter HERE. And she even so kindly supplied her Pinterst link HERE.

    So lets get this party started!

    Hi Courtney!

    You can say “Hi!” to her too on her Facebook Fan page HERE.

    Lets get to know you! How would you describe yourself in three sentences?

    I’m a super geeky science dork who grew up thinking I had zero creativity but I am thinking my photography has hopefully proven otherwise.  I’m a beach bum who cannot imagine not waking up and seeing the beach from my front door which influences me each and every day of my life.  I’m a family girl – I chat with my mom and dad at least 3x a day, love my kids (and husband) to death and consider myself blessed to have each of them in my life – they are the reason I do this!
    What sparked your passion for Photography?

    I wish I could say the birth of my kids sparked my interest in photography but I think it renewed it.  It made me focus on people rather than places.  I travelled the world with my parents growing up.  They didn’t own a camera (I eventually did) and I decided early on that I had to capture each moment of my life the minute I got one – because I so quickly forgot the castles of Ireland, the concentration camps in Poland and the gorgeous sunsets of Hawaii.  My camera allowed me to capture those memories … and since then, I’ve added people to the scenery and cannot imagine a day going by without picking up my camera.  Life is too short to forget.
    Whats in your camera bag?

    Too much LOL!  I’m a Canon girl.  I use a Canon 5D mkii + use a classic as my backup.  I have a love-hate relationship with primes + zooms.  I have: 35 1.4L, 85 1.2L, 24-70 2.8L, 70-200 2.8L, 50 1.4 and 100 2.8 macro.  Two flashes.  Four camera bags.  One shoot sac.
    What Camera/Equipment did you start out with?

    My trusty Canon XTI, the nifty fifty + a Tamron 28-75
    If you could only use one lens an entire session which one would you choose and why?

    Ah, that’s too hard.  I photograph so many different subjects … large families to couples.  Can I list two?  For large families, the 70-200 … I fell in LOVE with that lens this summer.  For smaller families, the 85 1.2L – the bokeh, clarity + color is AMAZING.
    What advice would go give to someone just beginning in photography and hoping to have a business of their own?

    While I could say, go legit!  Get your licenses and whatnot in order … but in all seriousness, learn.  Learn to photograph a SOOC shot that needs minimal processing.  Do not use actions … until you have the basics down.  Too often, I see new photographers using actions and I wonder if they actually like the processing or use it to mask an underexposed, out of focus photo.   I love simplicity.  I love clean.
    What was your first official Photographer crush if you had one?

    I’m so indecisive … geez.  I think I crushed on a lot LOL!
    What kind of photos do you like to take for just yourself when not working with clients?

    My sweet kids and our everyday life.  It’s been two years since my little guys were born so premature.  I look back at those photos and see them running around like crazy toddlers and want to bottle it all up.  I want to stop time.  I want to remember.  My photographs do that for me.
    If you could photograph absolutely anyone who would it be dead or alive?

    Celebrity wise … Caroline Bessette Kennedy – there was a spread in Vogue that was lifestyle that had an interview of her – I’m unsure if it was before or after she died.  I loved it.  The relax nature of it to this day inspires me.
    Personally … I wish I could travel back through time + meet my great-grandmother and photograph her and my dad together.  I’ve heard so many stories from him … but I’ve never seen a photo of them together.  I wish I could capture that if not for me, but him.
    Describe your style in 3 words.

    Can I combine them because they kind of contradict themselves… Simple + Classic with a Modern Twist
    Most embarrassing moment on a session would be?

    Photographing a Philadelphia Eagle + his family while pregnant with twins and having my darn maternity pants sag a little too low?
    Any challenges you have had to overcome to be where you are today?

    Maintaining a balance and learning to say no.  I am a full-time teacher but also a full-time photographer + web designer + mentor/newsletter editor on Clickinmoms.  I take on way too much but I love the insanity + craziness.
    Favorite time of day to shoot is?

    Early evening definitely – right before sunset … isn’t that everyones?
    If you had to stop taking photos right now, what would you do instead?

    Stay active on Clickinmoms – can’t imagine being without the site + the wonderful friends I’ve made there.  Keep teaching Chemistry + Physics.  Spend every summer day on the beach.
    Now, if I won the lottery and did not have to work AT ALL, then I’d move to Kauai, lay on the beach + read my Kindle.
    Have you attended college or had any formal education in Photography?

    Nope.  Totally self taught … but I did begin to build a computer in an Electronics class in college LOL.

    What do you do to get your clients to relax with you?

    Talk, talk and talk some more. I seriously do not shut up.  Ever. The majority of my clients are out of town vacationers so we usually chat about their beach vacation, sites, and what to do in the area.
    What are your photography related goals for 2012?

    1. I want to break out from my comfort zone.  I plan to visit (in Texas) two amazing mentors (and friends) over on Clickinmoms – Sara Seeton + Leah Cook – and pick their brains on lifestyle photography…
    2. Maintain a balance between work + family.
    3. Learn to say no … not really a goal though, right?
    4. Learn lightroom (I plan to take the Clickinmoms workshop)
    How do you push yourself to keep growing and learning? Any Big Aha! Moments?

    Just as I tell my students, you never stop learning + growing.  Everyday I add something to my to-do list … Clickinmoms opened my eyes up to so much more I do in fact need to learn … I can’t even list them all.
    The biggest Aha moment was realizing you just need to be you.  I process my photos how I like.  I pose my clients how I envision.  Once I started calling the shots, the pieces all fell into place.
    Biggest Photography related insecurity?

    That people book me for me.  I have an amazing friend local to me who refers so much business to me when she is booked.  Too often, I doubt my own abilities and find myself feeling second best.  But she has become such a rock to me (although she probably doesn’t realize it) and I can’t imagine being in this business without her … ok, totally went off topic.
    Digital or Prints?

    While so many photographers insist on prints because you can control the final product, I’m a digital person – both in my business + my personal life.  I have 6 canvases in my home and 3 photos.  That’s it.  Yet, I’ve had sessions with some amazing photographers (Mindy Harris, Jessica Walker and Alicia Gould).  They are all still on a disc + saved on my computer.
    What inspired your business colors and logo?

    The original concept was based on a pattern by Katie Daisy.  I so love every single pattern + print she comes up with.  But I realized I hadn’t really elaborated my vision enough … and it didn’t ‘fit’ my photos.  I thought I wanted vintage-y.  But I really wanted modern – so totally polar opposite.
    I told Sara (Seeton) my vision and literally within a few minutes she sent me my current logo.  I am amazed that we have become so close (living so far away) that she knew me well enough to create this logo for me.
    You are amazingly web savvy! When did you discover you had a passion for that kinda thing?

    Like I always say, I’m a super dork.  I have a Physics and Mathematics degree.  I went to an Engineering college originally.  All I did was computers … I had to take computer classes.  I started maintaining organization’s sites both within my college and nationally.  It basically just took off from there … to where I am now.
    If you could trade places with another photog for a day who would it be?

    Hmmm.  Mary of Justin + Mary.  I love reading her blog posts and the videos they post … they just seem so fun LOL …
    Favorite Photo Ever Taken?
    Favorite Color:  to wear, black.  just because, yellow.
    Favorite Season: summer
    Biggest Guilty Pleasure: wine + chocolate
    Pet Peeve: When people misuse there and their, your and you’re etc … that’s the teacher in me.
    Favorite Day of the Week: Saturday
    Favorite Pandora Station: foo fighters
    Studio or On location: on location
    What did you want to be when you grew up? a pediatric radiologist
    One thing no one knows about you is: I want a nose ring.
    Pc or Mac: Mac
    Lightroom Or Photoshop: Photoshop
    Film or Digital: Digital
    Props or No Props: No Props
    If you could travel anywhere it would be: Bora Bora
    Glass Half Empty or Half Full: Half Full
    Favorite photo ever taken:
    Raw or Jpeg: RAW
    Favorite Music to Edit to: none – i have my tv on in the background
    Favorite Quote: If you compare yourself to others you will become vain and bitter; there will always be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
    Most valued material possession: Ah so many … dunno.
    Processing Style: Simple + Clean
    Coffee or Tea: Coffee
    If you could photograph a Celebrity who would it be? 
    What kind of Camera bag do you rock? I have Ketti, a 7-million dollar Crumpler, a Kelly Moore, and the Epiphanie Lyric.
    Pretty awesome right?! Good luck not getting lost in her website! Gets me every single time!
    Coming up soon we have Joy of Wildflowers Photography, Bre Thurston Photography, Carrie Small Photography, Lisa Holloway and MANY more!! Some will be coming on Tuesdays to keep up the pace so be sure to check back to see who is next week!!

    27 Lovely Comments  •  Leave a Comment for Sarah

    27 Beautiful Souls Commented

    1. BEAUTIFUL work. I adore her processing.

    2. Parikha says:

      Great interview, Courtney! 🙂

    3. Lacey says:

      This is so great to learn more about you, Courtney!! You are such an amazing photographer and this is a wonderfully inspirational interview!

    4. Courtney, loved reading more about you. Your work is amazing. Thank you Sarah for the weekly interviews. They have been great!

    5. susan says:

      Your work is inspiring and fabulous and beautiful, and might i add, you are GORGEOUS! Thanks for sharing!

    6. Leah Cook says:

      you are SO amazing Courtney!!!! (and you too Sarah + Sara 🙂 ha) what a FUN interview – beautiful work of course and truly you are the coolest teacher around. I’ll be forever grateful for all you’ve taught me. xo

    7. Sarah Vaughn says:

      Wonderful interview and amazing photos. Your beach photography never fails to inspire me. Love.

    8. sara seeton says:

      bah! i totally meant to say courtney + SARAH! LOLOLOL i just spent the past few days with courtney + leah…guess i can’t get my mind off of them. hahah

    9. sara seeton says:

      great interview, courtney + leah! courtney you are such a beautiful person on the inside + out + i love love love you, my friend. you are truly talented in so many ways. xoxox

    10. Kim says:

      Loved reading all about you, Courtney! You are so talented….self-proclaimed geek and all!!!!

    11. Erica F. says:

      Loved reading about you! Your work is amazing!! And you are so gorgeous!!

    12. Heidi says:

      I love the clean look in Courtney’s work. Simply beautiful! Great article!

    13. Joyce says:

      Wonderful interview!! I love your work Courtney <3

    14. Dawn says:

      She must be the coolest physics teacher. like ever. 🙂

    15. holly says:

      These photos are stunning and an inspiration Courtney!

    16. Liz says:

      LOVE Courtney! Thanks so much for these interviews Sarah! 🙂

    17. Michele says:

      What a wonderful interview, I loved reading it and finding out more about Courtney. Not only is she beautiful and super talented but also incredibly smart. Thank you so much for sharing yourself with us Courtney!

    18. Tanya says:

      Thank u Courtney! Quick question, with large families, why the 70-200?

    19. celeste says:

      Loved learning more about you Courtney! What a great interview and I always adore your photos!!

    20. Anne says:

      Loved to learn more about you, Courtney ! <3

    21. Annie says:

      Great to read a little more about you Courtney! Love your work all around!

    22. Bre Thurston says:

      I am enjoying these so much! Courtney, I’m a huge fan and I loved reading all about you!

    23. Jen Cooke says:

      Courtney you’re so inspiring, both personally and professionally!!

    24. Jess Cadena says:

      I love this! Courtney is also an amazing teacher<3 Love her work in both photography and design!

    25. Melissa says:

      These posts are so fun, Sarah! Courtney, you are a cutie…and put out lovely work. Loved this interview!

    26. Sarah says:

      Learning so much from these interviews and finding all sorts of new favorite photographers. Absolutely stunning photographs, Courtney!!

    27. Sarah says:

      Learning so much from these interviews and finding all sorts of new favorite photographers. Absolutely stunning photographs, Courtney!!

    Leave a Lovely Comment

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