Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimber Greenwood

Hi Kimber, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?

I grew up with a passion for the water, but it wasn’t until I was a year into my photography career that I found my true calling as an underwater portrait photographer. It was actually motherhood that brought me to photography. When I was pregnant with my son, I went to a local photographer for some maternity photos. While I still cherish those images, my husband thought it would be more cost effective if I captured them myself, so he bought my first camera for Christmas that year. Before I knew it, I had friends asking for a few family photos, or some snaps at their kid’s birthday party. Suddenly I found myself learning editing programs, buying lights and backdrops, renting a studio space, and upgrading my gear.
Underwater photography wasn’t even on my radar until a friend asked if I could take some maternity photos of her at a Spring. She wanted to try and get some partial underwater photos, so I picked up a waterproof point and shoot camera and we went for it. It was such an incredible experience capturing those images; I called my husband on the way home to tell him my camera was going to live in the water from now on.
The interesting thing about underwater portrait photography is that it’s a relatively new niche and there was virtually no training, education, or standards to how a photographer would work in the water. My pivot to underwater meant building not only my skills, but the practices for safety and capturing stunning shots. It didn’t take long before I had other photographers asking me how to get into underwater portraiture and thus, the creation of The Water WorkshopⓇ, my underwater portrait photography workshop I host annually right here at North Florida’s stunning Springs. We’re in the 4th year now of The Water WorkshopⓇ and our community of underwater portrait photographs has grown from a few people dabbling in the water, to a network of professionals around the world, and I am thrilled to be a part of that incredible community.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?

The reality of life is that if things are perfect and nothing goes wrong, then something is wrong. No matter what you choose to do in your life or career, you’ll have growing pains. Taking the leap to trying to build a successful business is a huge risk. The odds are just not in people’s favor. Some months are spectacular, other months make you want to close the door and walk away; but in that, the challenge to keep going has motivation in itself. That’s where we’re challenged to step outside the box, to try something new. That’s where real growth happens.
Making the move into underwater was a huge risk. I didn’t know if there was a sustainable demand for it, if I could afford the high cost barrier to entry, or how I was going to capture incredible images while keeping my pregnant clients safe. The water is a tricky medium to work in, then we’re adding the complexity of photography on top of it. As I mentioned, there was no training manual for this. I literally had to go out there, do my best, and learn from my mistakes, and let me tell you, there were a lot of them. Even today, I’m constantly challenged in what I do to be more creative and keep my head above the growing sea (pun intended) of photographers entering the water every day.
I have been blessed to have an incredible team of people to work alongside every day. From my assistants and safety swimmers, to the models and photographers who I get to collaborate with every week. We all continually challenge each other and try to push the bar higher and higher. Life isn’t meant to be easy, and growth only comes from going down the path less followed.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?

Water Bear Photography (WBP) is a luxury portrait photography studio located in Jonesville, that specializes in creating unique artwork for unique persons. WBP offer studio, outdoor, and underwater shoots for individuals, couples, families, maternity, boudoir, and elopements. We also offer a suite of media services to businesses through our commercial brand Kimber Greenwood Media, that creates photography and videography marketing media, headshots, and branding work.
WBP specializes in underwater portraiture and is the only studio in North Central Florida with a custom built underwater studio. We’ve had the privilege of working with many great local and non-local clients who come to us for a unique, one-of-a=kind experience and incredible photos. You’ve seen some of our work in ads and on billboards and RTS buses around Gainesville for many years.
I love big ideas. One of the great advantages to having indoor and underwater studio spaces is I get to build and create amazing sets. From a manicured underwater floral garden, a jungle, even an underwater aquarium, if you dream it, my team can build it.
Answer:
When you walk into my studio, my goals are to create a one-of-a-kind experience that is uniquely you. From your styling, to the background we use, to how I craft the final images, it’s all about making your images as unique as you. Also, I always like to make sure you get exactly what you’ve come to me for. If you just want a few digital images to share on social media, an album to showcase a memorable time in your life, or a stunning piece of wall art that captures the attention of anyone who walks by, I’m the one who can make that happen. All our photography sessions start with a session fee that includes credit towards whichever images, albums, or artwork captures your heart. I love to learn about a person’s goals and find out how I can best serve them, and that’s all part of the unique and personal experience you get when you come to Water Bear Photography.

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?

Like many here, I moved to Gainesville for school, but I stayed because it was an incredible place to raise a family. The thing I love the most is the weather. I love the water, and I hate the cold, so Gainesville is the perfect place to be able to be in the water year-round and only have a short period of cold weather. I absolutely adore the Springs. I’m not just a water-baby by heart, but I’m also a swimmer, diver, and conservationist. Not only that, but the uniqueness and artistry that Gainesville has keeps me here. The city has such a modern eclectic draw that I just love.
While there are many benefits to growth, the boom in Gainesville of the last many years has taken some of the uniqueness away. I drive down University Ave often and look at the towering apartment buildings that sit where some small local businesses once stood. It’s sad to see that loss of local business and some of the uniqueness that make Gainesville what it is. Still even in all that, there’s pockets of the City that continue to survive. I think it’s important that we as a community continue to support those small businesses, to make sure they continue to thrive and provide for those families that rely on them everyday.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://waterbearphotography.com
• Instagram: @waterbearphotography
• Facebook: @waterbearphotographyllc
• Youtube: @waterbearphotography

Image Credits

Water Bear Photography, Kimber Greenwood