Meet Keithena Kibbe

Today we’d like to introduce you to Keithena Kibbe.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I have had a camera in my hand for as long as I can remember. As a child, I grabbed my Mother’s camera every chance I could to take pictures of anything I could, animals, places I visited and my surroundings. As I grew older, I always had a camera close by. when I was a teenager, I even modeled a bit. I wasn’t great on that side of the camera!

You see my childhood was not a “TV Perfect family life” quite the opposite. It was a tough one, way different then what was depicted in our family photo albums. I loved photo albums and portraits. When times were very bad. I could look into those albums and feel like things weren’t that bad. I could pretend that the moments in the pictures were always as good. My life looked Picture Perfect.

When I became a young Mom, I began to document with my camera every moment I could of my children. That was a daunting task as time went on. I brought 8 incredible kids onto this planet. I tried to preserve all the memories I could on fit on 24 exposure film. Some might say I was a bit obsessed with all the pictures I took. Honestly… I was.

My kids grew older and developed their own busy lives. My camera got a little dusty. One day I picked it up and decided to take it all to a new level. I wanted to take peoples pictures as a career. It didn’t seem viable for me with my old film camera. I needed to make that leap into the digital world. That was all fine and good. But with that came Lightroom and Photoshop. Prior to that time in my life computers were used for surfing the web and email. I had so very much to learn. Challenge accepted. At 44 years old I emerged myself into learning everything I needed to know to start and run a photography business. I quickly fell in love with Photoshop. It took a full year of constant shooting and editing to get where I wanted to be with my images. I worked on it daily. sometimes I would get so engulfed in some images that I would watch the sun come up while editing. Not even realizing I had been at it all night. It can be a bit like a drug. with every experience, you want more and more. All of my other hobbies and artistic/creative outlets fell away. This photography thing was all I wanted to do. Funny these years later and hundreds of sessions….. I still get lost in it.

Please tell us about your art.
Photography is number my one. It is all-consuming. I love every step of making an image. From the pre-consultation with a client to the final touches in photoshop. I create every step of the way. I shoot Maternity, Newborns, Birthday’s, Boudoir, fashion, and high school seniors.
Occasionally I will also do family sessions.

In my maternity sessions, I make gowns. I love to sew. For Newborns, I knit blankets, sew outfits and collect vintage props. Birthday setups in my studio are always a great collaboration with my clients. When on location with my clients looking for light, textures, and colors that will make a great image, it is always adrenaline filled artistic adventure. And when it all comes together, it is such a beautiful high.

I hope that my clients feel cared for. I want them always to feel the love. the energy and the soul we put into it. I really want them to have a great memory of the session. Also, I want them to get a few kick ass pictures that they love! My favorite thing in the world is when someone says to me ” You captured me/us/her/him perfectly”! Or when someone tears up when they see their image. The feeling I get from that makes it more than creating art. It is a true human connection through the art. And it is everything.

What do you think about conditions for artists today? Has life become easier or harder for artists in recent years? What can cities like ours do to encourage and help art and artists thrive?
The starving artist is a thing!! It is so hard to get your work seen. Marketing doesn’t always come naturally to an artist. As a photographer, I live in an oversaturated market. There is a feeling that you won’t work if you are not undervaluing yourself. That is not true! But, There is a $50 photog on every corner! lol. I feel like artists need more inspiration to learn the business side. There is no way you’re going to continue to love your work if you can’t afford to eat. And working full time, while nurturing your art is really hard!.

As artists, I believe we are naturally a little more free-spirited, vulnerable and fearful of losing the art vibe. We are always chasing the feeling that creating gives us. Making time for the “getting exposure” and “Running a business.”
Isn’t the feels we thrive on. Making a business work with our right brain calling the shots is hard. We need more left brain business mentors willing to nurture us. Without scolding us! haha I would love to see a space where Artists and business/marketing/ mentors and curators could co-exist and give each other a helping hand. Artists creative problem solvers. Naturally thinking outside of the box. We have something to give to the business world, and the business world could really help us get our dreams transformed into a plan! Does that sound crazy?

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I have a website.
www.artfulsoulphotography.com

I post a great deal on my social feeds.
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/ArtfulSoulPhotography/
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/artfulsoulphotography/

Contact Info:

• Address: 18211 West Solano Court
  Litchfield Park AZ 85340
• Website: http://www.artfulsoulphotography.com
• Phone: 6023802714
• Email: artfulsoulphotography@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artfulsoulphotography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArtfulSoulPhotography/

Image Credit:
Keithena Kibbe

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