We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kimberly Maroon. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kimberly below.

Alright, Kimberly thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

I was working in a toxic job environment for almost a year. By Spring of 2016 after seeing how it was affecting my personal life and mental health, I decided to take the leap and quit – the first time I quit a job without having another lined up. Big risk, but also the greatest gift I could give myself. I went full time freelance photo and video. Barely knowing anything about running a business or getting clients, I took it as a trial and error experiment. The open time allowed me to take a breather, take it all in and explore — What do I want to focus on in my photography and video work? What am I curious about?

Around this time, an event was happening called The Race of Gentlemen. a beach race in New Jersey featuring pre-war heritage cars and motorcycles. I always wanted to go and capture the event but never had the time.

My initial goal was to tap into GoPro to request to borrow a few cameras to capture The Race of Gentlemen and sideshow attraction The Wall of Death in a more immersive way, and kickoff a relationship with their content team. Through searching Linkedin, I came across a photo producer who specialized in motorsports and cold-emailed him. I shared a bit of my idea to capture the event using GoPros, some sample videos I created from mounting my own cameras on friends’ motorcycles and mopeds, and requested to borrow their latest model GoPros to use throughout the weekend event.

The photo producer not only sent me a box of gear of onboard tools and mounts two weeks ahead to experiment with, but also flew out to New Jersey and showed me how to prep and mount the cameras on vehicles. Because it was just the 2 of us on location, I had the opportunity to take on the role of producer and director – scouting vehicles at the race, talking with drivers / riders to get their approval, and managing the cameras from the race grid and starting line. In the end, we came to a trade deal. Selected photos and a write up by me were shared back to be included in GoPro’s blog which features curated content by the community. In return, I was given a GoPro Hero 4+, the latest model at the time.

The learning experience from this project was priceless – incredibly valuable and rewarding. The autonomy I had on the beach that weekend pushed me to take initiative and use skills on the fly. YES! I can do this! This was the gateway, catapulting my interest in motorsports photography and later a personal project, and gave me a great deal of confidence in my abilities I didn’t even know I had in me — confidence beyond the technical, beyond the camera.

Fast forward to early 2017, I pulled together the footage and images captured in 2016 as part of another editorial pitch to a self-curated list of 100 media contacts. This time I focused on a day in the life, personal stories from the racers at The Race of Gentlemen. Since I had previously met people and established those personal connections, I knew who would be there for the 2017 event. Out of a list of 100 self-curated contacts, Red Bull’s motorsports editor responded with interest. He assembled a team of myself, freelance writer, and freelance video editor, and guided the story framework for the piece. We all agreed I was close, about 70% of the way there in terms of what content I had vs what I needed in order to complete the story. The end deliverables included a collection of photos, a written article, and a video edit all for the Red Bulletin UK website. *this was a paid commissioned assignment.

Building on that relationship, the following year 2018 – I assembled and pitched the same Red Bull editor an idea for a story similar to my approach for The Race of Gentlemen – a kind of day in the life at Bonneville Speedweek, finding people to tell a story, and following their attempt at setting landspeed records. However, this time, we didn’t know what to expect or what would come out of it. I didn’t know who would be there and couldn’t schedule anything ahead of time, aside from 3 or 4 racers I connected with online a month prior. Very much everything done in the moment, on the fly. A HUGE RISK. Having the relationship with the editor, writer, and video editor helped tremendously. They saw what I was capable of on my own, so they were more comfortable taking the leap.

A bit more complex than the previous, The Red Bull shoot involved securing press credentials, installing a CB radio in my rental car, adhering to strict safety protocols, a $2500-3000 media fee, and $2 million of coverage on my insurance policy. I was extremely lucky to meet the friendliest, most welcoming people in the community – all who became the subjects of the video documentary – generous with their time, sharing their story, and even their pit space. I had captured 12 interviews, B-roll, action, and on-board GoPro cameras within the 2-3 days on the salt. The biggest win was nothing melted or corrupted by the 100+ degree temps and blazing sun. I organized and overnight-shipped the footage on a USB drive to Red Bull’s freelance video editor in the UK, and provided feedback and background details to pull it all together. *this was a paid commissioned assignment.

I would not be where I am today — photographer, creative entrepreneur, or avid motorcyclist and part the community — had I not taken that initial risk and put myself out there.

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’m a multidisciplinary creative — self taught photographer, director, and designer — far from a linear path and chock full of facets that set me apart from others in my industry. Working with me is a thrill a minute. Buckle up for a wild ride. I love collaborating, bringing unique talents together, allowing everyone to have a voice, thinking outside the box, taking risks, and making work fun. AND SNACKS!

In 2011 I wanted to add to my creative toolbox and joined an MFA graduate program, the Dynamic Media Institute at Massachusetts College of Art & Design. Immersed with professionals from several career paths, I learned a ton about technology, media, art, design, research, user experience, and interactive installations. I saw my medium of photography through a new lens and pushed my craft further.

Today, as a photographer and director, I specialize in commercial and editorial automotive, motorsports, adventure, and lifestyle. Living and working on both coasts, my style blends the grit of the Northeast with the wild free spirit of the West. I’m an active part of the motorsports community — I learned how to ride motorcycles from being inspired by those I photographed. Over my career, I’ve been stoked to partner with teams to create visuals for campaigns, events, brand asset libraries, feature stories, and still images for TV/film. Additionally, I’ve been in solo and group gallery shows and commission large scale photographs.
Through the other side of my work as an experience designer, I tote skills in product design, user experience (UX) and interaction design, strategy, writing, and producing — collaborating with teams to build websites, digital experiences and mobile apps. My background designing both in house for brands and digital agencies drives my holistic, hands on approach to projects.

Most recently this year I had the chance to coach and mentor early career creatives as an adjunct design professor at Northeastern University and guest speaking within the photography program at CalBaptist University.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Getting out in the community – immersing yourself in places where the people you want to work with come together. JUST SHOW UP!

I’ve had the most success making connections through the community, attending events both for photographers and film directors and with cars and motorcycles. Be yourself, be genuine, show you’re interested and curious.

The space I’m focused in — automotive and motorsports — is unique in the way that it’s a lifestyle, a culture, and a small world. From Boston to LA to even Germany — the machines, especially vintage, are the common thread that brings everyone together. They are tools for connection and common ground.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

Believe it or not, I started out as antisocial / introvert ….and in some ways I still am. When I was just learning how to use a film camera (2003) I took my camera to concerts, immersed in the punk rock and hardcore scenes. The camera became a tool for conversation, like a key to access a cool space with people full of unique and interesting stories. Getting out with my camera in hand and connecting with people helped me break down my social anxiety. Sure I made a ton of photos from that time, but the relationships, stories, and memories were way more special to me and lasted longer.

Much of the challenges I’ve experienced in my creative journey are overcoming my own anxiety — overthinking, comparison, imposter syndrome, or the fear of uncertainty. My path to success has been mostly mental and all about embracing uncertainty, letting go, and being uncomfortable. By hurling myself over the edge, taking on overwhelming, difficult, ambiguous, sometimes chaotic experiences — or rather, strategic risks — I learn how to navigate through. I find as a result, I come out even stronger and more confident, with a new set of skills and tools. I’m better equipped for the next time. And I know myself a little better — my values, what’s important to me, my boundaries, and limits.

Many photographers have asked me one time or another for a magic bullet – there isn’t one. There’s no right way or wrong way. The path twists and turns, and forks. There is no ladder, so feel free to boldly skip all the imaginary rungs like I have. You get to make it however you want, whatever works for YOU.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kimberlymaroon.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kmaroonfoto
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kmaroon/
• Youtube: https://vimeo.com/kmaroon
• Other: Design website: www.kmaroon.com
  Photo website: www.kimberlymaroon.com
  Blog / Journal: www.maroongoeswest.com

Image Credits

Sending you a link to photos of me and photos to use in the article