Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ki’ami King. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Ki’ami thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?
Yes, I am happier as a creative. I remember being miserable at every other job I’ve ever had, so when I really think deeply about it, I am so much happier than I have ever been previously. This is not to say that I don’t have bad days or times where I really just want to give up. But ever since I took the leap into creative work being my main job, I have had so much more control and freedom in almost every aspect of my life. I don’t really have to answer to anyone but myself which has been both empowering but also terrifying at the same time. There are times where I feel like I am on top of the world because a photoshoot or event went super well, but then there are other times where I feel completely in over my head. I’ve found that running my own business has become a double edged sword in this way. On one hand, I can work whenever I feel like working, but on the other hand, I’m pretty much on my own and it can feel very isolating. Whenever I feel this way I definitely think about what it would be like to have a regular job. I think about how having an employer would make doing things like taxes easier, how I’d be able to have a dependable stream of income, and how I wouldn’t be solely responsible for whether my company lives or dies.
I thought about what it would be like to have a regular job a lot over the course of this last winter. 2025 was overall a very good year for me creatively and professionally, but around the end of November the jobs really slowed down and by the end of the year I had pretty much zero prospects for the coming year. This was absolutely terrifying because even though the jobs stopped coming, that didn’t mean the expenses stopped. I knew conceptually that it is completely normal for people in creative fields to have slow seasons and that (almost) no one ever wants to do a photoshoot in the cold. I even planned for this to happen by setting aside emergency savings, but it still didn’t make the reality any easier and it certainly did not stop the feelings from coming. Feelings of failure, fear, inadequacy, and uncertainty flooded my mind as I looked at my empty work calendar like it was a black hole. This was also on top of some already present mental health difficulties that I have had to overcome over the years and that I am still working on.
During times like these, I lean on my family, friends and other creative colleagues for support. I have been so fortunate in life to have met so many wonderful people who really “get it.” It is especially meaningful to have other creative friends who I consider to be some of my closest confidants especially when it comes to the struggles of owning a creative business. I would not be where I am today without their support which is why so much of what I do emphasizes community over all else.
Ki’ami, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My name is Ki’ami King (also known as Depth of Violet). I’m the founder of Wonderscape Company which is a creative collective group primarily located in the city of Boston where creatives of all kinds are invited to come together and just create without limits! The idea behind the Wonderscape project is to create opportunities for artists to meet and network with each other and with other professionals so that they can grow and thrive in a world that is not always kind to creative folk.
In terms of my work and education, I’m a professional portrait photographer, aspiring cinematographer, production designer, and I sometimes work as a model for my fellow creatives. I have some educational background in both traditional and digital visual arts through photography, mixed media, illustration and painting. Currently, I am pursuing a degree in psychology because I believe that the connection between art and the human mind is so much deeper than we can comprehend and I plan to find out anything and everything I can about that connection.
Ever since I was very young, I have always had a sense of wonderment for the world around me and I have always been able to see the beauty in even the most unassuming things. Some of my fondest memories as a child are from playing pretend and dress-up, creating new worlds within my imagination. I remember creating all kinds of stories or making my own “spin-offs” of my favorite movies or shows and roping my brother and/or my childhood best friend into all sorts of adventures. My brother would often create soundtracks for us by humming his own scores and my friend had all the best outfits and toys to use and create “productions” with. It was a great collaborative effort between all of us and it made my childhood feel so incredibly rich. Even though reality wasn’t always easy, at least we always had a way to escape into our make believe. These memories have been the foundation behind Wonderscape and my driving force for a lot of my own creative work.
My love of the arts began with photography when I got my first digital camera in my early teens. It was just a simple little camera that I loved taking pictures of flowers and my friends with. A few years later, in high school, I joined a film photography class. I learned the fundamentals of light and shadow through black and white 35mm film photography. I even learned how to develop and print my own photos. The darkroom became my safe haven in a very emotionally tumultuous time of my life and photography became a way to express how I felt without a need for words. I continued my education in the arts by taking college level courses for graphic design where I learned that the principles of design follow the same general rules for just about every visual art form and that they can be applied to any medium. This opened the door to my exploration of collage work, mixed media, painting, illustrating, and even pottery (although I was very bad at it.) I have learned to appreciate art in all of its forms and have met some absolutely incredible artists along the way!
These understandings about art, imagination and the human condition are what really keeps me going in the creative industry, as well as a desire to share it with others. My goal when it comes to working with clients is to always come from a place of curiosity and exploration. I often ask questions like, how do you see yourself? What emotions do you want to convey? How do you want others to perceive you? My most favorite thing when working with clients is when we find that spark that really brings a concept to life. There is no greater feeling for me than when I nail a shot and see someone’s face light up and ask, “is that really me?” One of the most magical things about portrait photography is that I have found a way to show people just how I see them.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
My driving force comes from a very human desire to build connection with others through the arts. Growing up, I didn’t have a lot of friends, but I did have art. In adulthood and through meeting other artists, I realized my experiences were actually pretty common among creative people. I learned that a lot of creatives have experienced similar feelings of isolation, loneliness, being misunderstood, etc. and that by connecting with each other, we can at least alleviate some of those negative feelings for each other even if it’s only for a moment. That’s why I started Wonderscape. I wanted to create a space where creatives could come together, leave reality behind for a little while and create with other likeminded people. I think at the end of the day that’s all most of us really want is meaningful connection.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
Art is everywhere and I think it’s been so ingrained into our lives for so long that we often take it for granted. Let’s try to imagine for a moment what life would be like if we removed all art from the world. There would be no music to listen to on your commute to work, no visuals to reference when ordering food, no entertainment to sit and watch after a long day, no poems written to loved ones… I could go on, but I think you get my point. Art is all around us. It is what gives life color and meaning.
I think as a society we could all stand to gain a lot from seeing the value in art, not just in grand museums, but also in our day to day lives. Historically, there have been times when artists were revered as “masters of their craft” and highly valued for their work. I would really like to see that happen once again. But this can only happen if people invest in their favorite artists!
I would really like to see the narrative of the “starving artist” start to phase out of existence someday. I would like to live in a society that values artists for their work and skills. I would like to see artists not only survive but thrive while doing what they love. Because when artists are valued (and properly compensated!!), they are able to continue creating. It’s as simple as that really. Supporting your favorite artists by buying prints or supporting their projects and sharing their work is one way to get started!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kiamiking.carrd.co
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/depth.of.violet/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/depthofvioletphotography
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiami-king-4a9034296/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sleepysylveon
Image Credits
Personal Image: Rafael Arturo
1: Angel Carboni
2 – 5: Ki’ami King
6: James Blanken
7 – 8: Ki’ami King