We recently connected with Maddie Kamp and have shared our conversation below.
Maddie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
The journey I’ve had to learning how to be a photographer and gain the skills needed has been a never ending one. I’m constantly learning more and more and hope to never stop growing as a photographer. I first started taking photos for fun in high school when I had almost no clue what I was doing.I gradually began learning more as I taught myself and got my first DSLR camera. In college I took a couple photo classes and learned more technical skills with my camera and got much more comfortable with it. I also took a dark room film photography class which gave me a deeper appreciation for photography and I learned how to take my time to get just the right shot, because you only have so many chances with film.
After school I kept teaching myself and improving my skills through online resources and practicing as much as I could. I think the most essential way to learn is to try new concepts, whether it’s with your subject, lighting, or creative ideas and just keep practicing. The more you are actually using your camera the more you’ll learn faster. I think what kept me from speeding up that process was working full-time jobs and not having the time I wanted to devote to shooting. I would have photoshoots on the weekends as a side-business, but if I was able to devote all my time to learning and practicing I think I would have been able to go full-time as a photographer sooner and have more confidence in my abilities. However, it still takes time to grow and I felt more ready when I finally did pursue photography full-time.
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 background and context?
I’ve always loved photography and knew that was my dream job I wanted to work towards. I was doing it as a small side-business for many years before I took the leap to go full-time, which was scary and exciting at the same time. I started out as a portrait photographer shooting lifestyle portraits, senior photos, and setting up creative and collaborative shoots with other local creatives. Portrait sessions are still the main focus of what I do and what I really love. I now focus on branding portrait shoots with mostly small business owners around St. Louis. I’ve discovered that my passion really lies with supporting and working with small business owners and entrepreneurs in my area. I am always inspired hearing their stories of how and why they started their businesses and got to where they are. I can relate to them and connect on a deeper level because we tend to have similar values and outlooks on life. I’ve also started providing product photography to business owners which is another kind of photography I love to do. I get to be creative and style the product in addition to taking photos. I help my clients stand out from other brands with inviting and authentic images that portray who they are to their customers. I want to show what they stand for and who they really are to attract more ideal customers that support them and also show up for them. When my photography clients have success is when I feel the most successful and fulfilled in what I’m doing. I do what I do for them, and will support them before, during, and after working together. I want them to feel taken cared of and supported in their journey, because working for yourself can feel like you have to do it all on your own. So if I can take at least one thing off their plate, that gives them more time and freedom to get back to doing what they do best.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
I think what drives my creative journey is empowering other women-owned small businesses. Whether they are in my neighborhood or somewhere I’ve never been, we all can benefit when supporting each other. I strongly value having community over competition. Getting to know other photographers in my same industry is so rewarding and I’ve met amazing women who know exactly what I’m going through and share my same values. That connection and friendship empowers each of us to continue growing and be the best that we can.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
Throughout my journey I’ve had to unlearn that there’s only one way in life to be successful and fulfilled. Society has told us for a long time that for a women to be successful she must be married by a certain age and start a family of her own, and that a full-time job is the only stable career path. I’ve chosen a different path for my life and I’m much more fulfilled following what I love to do rather than working for someone else 40 hours a week. I’ve seen so many photographers make a successful and lifelong career for themselves and know that it’s possible, even if it isn’t the traditional route. Having a family one day is still important to me, but it isn’t my main focus at my age when I’m still figuring so many things out in life and just getting started.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.maddiekamp.com
- Instagram: @maddiekphotos
- Facebook: Maddie K Photography