Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kimberly Butler. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Kimberly, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

I’ve run my own photography business since I graduated from NYU in the Arts. With the exception of working for two photographers full time over the first 3 years, I have been enormously successful.

My attitude from the beginning, is to do what made me happy.. I loved the idea of being my own boss, and building my portfolio one shot at a time, and raising the bar to showing my art to bigger and bigger publications over time.

As I look back, while teaching my interns, I realise this building of your career , must be approached one brick at a time.

I believe if I had rushed things, I would not have developed the skills needed to handle all the elements that go onto running a successful business in the Arts.
Many artists who peak to soon, burn out.
I was one day at a time, and deliberately making choices I could handle as I grew as an artist.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I went to NYU film school and quickly feel in love with photography. I worked as an assistant for two very high level photographers to learn about all aspects of the business than branched out on my own. I specialize in portrait photography, mostly celebrity, and celebrity driven service campaigns. People have always enjoyed working with me thats why I have been able to be in the industry for 20 + years thankfully. I think beyond my skill I have the ability to be relatable and kind which is hard to find when working in a very competitive profession. I am most proud of my series on Banned books. I feel as an artist it is important for me to use my skills to fight against injustices that are happening in our ” free” society. The main thing I want potential clients/followers/fans to know is when I photograph someone I strive to make them as comfortable as possible so that our interaction produces an authentic portrait. If the person loves their picture, Ive done a good job.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I have pivoted my career several times. I started photographing celebrities and as time went on, I’d be asked to take on other human stories, from Heroes, to great political figures, to going off to Russia after the collapse of the Berlin Wall.
My years working with refugees escaping tyrants and war, have been the most rewarding.
I’ve recently pivoted again, producing a Banned Books project that brings attention to a movement in the US to control what we read.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

During one of my missions into the FSU, specifically The Ukraine, I was held against my will by some men whose job it was to protect me. Instead, they took me, into unknown areas, away from anyone I knew or could ask for help.

After hours of enduring unwanted advances, I talked them into returning to my hotel, where I could get washed up and treat everyone “with my unlimited expense account” to a great night of partying, and so on.
They believed me. I was returned to my hotel, with promises to meet for dinner.
After barricading my room, and complete silence, I got a lady in the hotel to get me to the airport at 4 AM.

I jumped on the first flight to Moscow, safe, wiser and thankful that I remained calm.
It is what saved me, and my great diplomatic skills at lying to creeps that would have killed me had I panicked and went insane.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.Kimberlybutler.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimberlybutlerphoto/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kimberly.butler.39/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberlybutlernyc?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/dakimbo?lang=en
• Other: Call me for all the other information please. Thank you.

Image Credits
(C) Kimberly Butler