25 Aug Meet the Photographer: Kimberly Tank, of Kimberly Tank Art & Photography
Favorite Movie: The answer to this can totally depend on the day you ask! I often have trouble determining my favorites of some things. One movie I love enough to watch every year is It’s a Wonderful Life. It’s a great reminder that life doesn’t always go as planned, and we simply need to focus on the wonderful things in our lives.
Favorite Book: I love to read, and I can’t choose one favorite book because it’s a series that I love: the Harry Potter series. My 11th grade English teacher got me hooked by reading the first book aloud to my class throughout that school year. I have been to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, but I haven’t seen the new Diagon Alley and really want to go! I’m thankful I can get butterbeer at Whole Foods, and it’s pretty close to the one they serve at Universal Studios.
Favorite Lens: The Nikkor 85 MM 1.8G is my newest and favorite lens. I love the sharpness and compression I get with it. It’s actually not my most used lens though, as the 24-70 MM 2.8 is better for when I’m chasing little ones (which is most of the time).
Favorite Magazine: I don’t read many magazines anymore, but my favorite would be Rodale’s Organic Life.
Favorite Website or Blog: My favorite business related blog is Marie Forleo. I love that she incorporates video; it’s much easier to listen to her tips without having to read a lengthy blog post. She’s positive and fun and I love her goal: to help “create a business and life you love.”
I also want to share another favorite that’s more personal. As an artist and homeschooling mom, I love The Artful Parent. She shares inspirational messages about art and creativity on her Facebook page, and the website is full of great art projects for kids and ways to get their creativity flowing.
Favorite Music: I like various types of music, but I listen to Country the most. Tim McGraw is one of my favorite artists.
Favorite Store: Does Amazon count? Amazon Prime has been a lifesaver for me since becoming a mom, especially the first year (when my son hated being in the car). Is it sad that the only actual stores that came to mind were grocery stores (or Target), haha! If you were giving me a shopping spree in any store, then I’d pick Anthropologie.
Favorite Local Spot: We have a beautiful waterfront park in our historic downtown St. Marys, GA. Events are held there throughout the year and it’s a popular spot for getting photos done. I love to go on a quiet evening and walk around or relax on a swing overlooking the river and watch the sun set.
Photographer Idol: I don’t know that I have an idol, per se, but there are two photographers who had a huge impact on my photography and my business. Michele Celentano is the first. Thanks to her I learned the importance of providing quality archival prints and products for clients, and going above and beyond in the service provided. I also learned the importance in understanding how to pose and angle the body to help my clients look their best in front of the camera, even if I’m more of a lifestyle photographer. The other photographer who has made an impact on me is Julia Kelleher. Her Pricing & Sales workshop changed the way I structure my business and has made it so much better. She talked about Simon Sinek and the importance of identifying your “Why.” This has made such an impact on my business and I’ve already seen the effects of communicating my “Why” to past clients who have stuck with me through the change in my business as well as new clients that want to book with me because of my “Why.”
Favorite Instagram Accounts: Sweet Theory Baking Co is a local gluten-free, vegan bakery that’s allergy friendly. Their goodies are delicious (and my son and I can actually eat them) so I love seeing them post the yummy things they’ve baked for the day.
Favorite Pinners on Pinterest: I love Lisa Leake, of 100 Days of Real Food, and Food Babe. I am very passionate about clean eating and health and I learn so much from following these two on Pinterest.
Favorite Quotation: My current favorite quotation is from Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Be silly. Be honest. Be kind.” Imagine how the world would be if everyone did those three things.
Most Interesting Place I’ve Traveled: My husband and I celebrated our second wedding anniversary in Punta Cana, Domincan Republic. The city itself is mostly a resort community, and the locals who live there work at the resorts. On one of the tours, we learned that people from Haiti cross over into the Dominican Republic for work.
Best Family Vacation Spot: Since I live near the beach, my answer would have to be Disney World. I never went as a child, and had the opportunity to go as an adult, pre-children, which was really fun. It wasn’t until I had my son and we went back that I really fell in love with it. We have a blast every time we go! If you’re looking for something more relaxing, then I’d definitely recommend the beach! It’s one of my favorite places to be.
Guilty Pleasure: Chocolate. I LOVE chocolate.
If money were no object, my occupation would be: … an artist/photographer! I’ve definitely landed my dream job. Launching my photography business has allowed me to bring back my artistic side and allows me the flexibility to be able to stay home with my son and homeschool, and still help provide for our family. I used to teach elementary school so I love that I still work with kids, but without the extra stress.
What Makes Me Memorable: I’m a kind person with a friendly smile that helps people feel more comfortable around me. This is especially helpful for bringing out personalities during a photo session. One of my daily life goals is to show love and kindness to those around me and anyone I meet.
A Favorite Personal Photo: My personal favorite photo right now is this one of my son’s toes. It’s one of the images for my Project 52 (that I’m doing with several other fellow NAPCP photographers). This image represents how this project has helped me bring out my creativity and see in new ways. I’m taking more pictures of my family and I love the images I’m getting. I’m not just taking snapshots of my son smiling at me (which I also love), but I’m looking for the details and the things I want to remember about his childhood. When I took this picture, the theme was “through” and he was sitting on his feet on this chair while “working on the computer like mommy”. It was the perfect moment, so I pulled out my camera and captured it. Everyone loves baby toes, but I think they’re still cute at three!
A Favorite Photograph From My Business: … is this newborn family image. I asked everyone to look at baby, and big sister decided to kiss the top of her head. It was such a sweet, natural moment and a favorite of my client as well. I love tight crops that leave out distractions so that the true focus of the image is the family.
How It Represents My Brand: It’s important to me to capture the whole family and make sure mom and dad are in the photos, and not just the kids. These are the images our children will cherish when they’re grown.
Thank you for the introduction, Kimberly! For more from Kimberly, and for booking inquiries, visit her website, and Like her Facebook page.
About the Photographer: Kimberly Tank is a professional photographer and artist in Saint Marys, of Camden County Georgia, servicing the areas of Southeast Georgia (including Kingsland & Woodbine) and Northeast Florida (including Yulee, Callahan, Fernandina Beach, & Jacksonville). Using natural light and custom on location sessions, Kimberly Tank specializes in the photography of families and children.
Image Credits: Title photo courtesy of Amanda Sause Photography. Disney World photo by Disney PhotoPass Photographers, and used with permission.
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