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

Kristen, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. The first dollar you earn is always exciting – it’s like the start of a new chapter and so we’d love to hear about the first time you sold or generated revenue from your creative work?

First dollar I earned as a creative is a great question. This was 2001. I was 18 (I’m definitely feeling my age here lol.) I was hired by a local band in my hometown to take a photo of their upcoming album they were recording. I was so young and still learning who I was as creative, much less a photographer. My knee jerk reaction to them was, “Are your sure?” The confidence behind my photos wasn’t there yet, but this band really wanted to give me chance. They didn’t want a portrait style group photo of the band. They wanted something quirky and random. The photo and what ended up being the cover to their album was of a gecko. I was paid 25.00. It’s a moment that you can look back and cringe on the product you produced, and how you handled your first “client”. Definitely learned a lot from that though.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I knew I wanted to pursue photography as a profession when I was about 16 in high school. My parents bought me this old 1970’s Canon SLR camera. Even in high school, I would take a portfolio to professional photography studios and art galleries to just get some feedback. I wanted to know if I had skill to pursue this further. They all said “yes” and “go for it”. However, at home, the family support stopped at buying me a vintage camera. No one supported me going after a college degree in media arts. I went to college pursuing something completely different and got married really young while in college. After that marriage ended, I stopped letting others dictate what I really wanted to do professionally. I couldn’t afford to go back to college for photography. So I took free online courses, watched others in the field, and taught myself what I needed to build a career as a professional photographer. Of course over the years, I stumbled and felt like an idiot. Making mistakes or not satisfying what the client wanted in their photos. You just have to keep going. Even if it’s, at first, uncomfortable.

My photography, my art, my brand has a lot of confidence behind it. The subject or use of color is bold and earnest. I want honesty in my photography. Honesty, confidence, and being earnest doesn’t have to be pretty for the photo. It makes better photography. I think that’s what sets me apart from others.

Here’s something that I will never get used to. Whenever I get a fan or a follower of my work tell me they really like my work. They like it so much they hire me for a photoshoot or buy a print. I will never get used to that, but it makes me so happy to know my weird perspective is loved by someone else. When I have other photographer’s tell me my latest photo or a body of work I created inspired them to create new photography, it stops me in my tracks. What an honor to feel. I’ve been a professional photographer for 15 years. I never thought my work or art would inspire others. That’s something to be so proud of. The inspiration others use to make something beautiful.

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

Yep. In 2020 during the pandemic. I had to close my photography business. No support, no financial backing. I lost it all. It crushed me. I spent so many years proving to all that doubted my work because I was a self-taught professional just for it fail. The pandemic was hard on so many businesses. I developed Imposter Syndrome and almost sold all of my camera equipment. But I didn’t. It took 2 years and work in a completely different field to make my photography business successful again.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Support artists while they are alive. So many artists are famous and are supported after their death. Van Gogh being amongst the most famous. Also support artists no matter what their social standing is in society. Fame should not dictate how much you should support their talent. Who cares how many followers they have on social media. There are so many creatives or artists getting lost and unseen because they are not famous enough. They don’t have thousands or millions of followers on Instagram. If you like what they produce, whatever the medium they use, tell them. If you know them from social media, follow them. Buy the art print they have available. Listen to their music. Hire them for a commission if they are available. Tell others.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: thegingergoon
• Other: I’m also on Threads and mildly on Tiktok at thegingergoon