Conversations: Kathryn Richey

(Caption: Kathryn refused to let me use a picture of her. I guess this is effective.)

I write a lot of pointless blogs on Dribbling Ink; however, blogs like this make it worth it. It's always interesting to talk to other arists and creative people; it's even more exciting when you grew up with the person, which is this case with this week's interviewee -- Kathryn Richey.

I've known Kathryn since kindergarten. In fact, in elementary school, Kathryn, Daniel Vangilder, and I morphed ourselves into three Arkansas Razorback basketball players: Corey Beck, Corliss Williamson, and Scotty Thurman. It's been a long time since then, but Kathryn continues to utilize her creativity in new ways.

Jacob Cooper: Recently, very recently, you started posting pictures that you've taken on Facebook -- professional-grade portraits, I guess (everyone posts pictures on Facebook). You also started a group/business, Kathryn Richey Photos. So, how long have you been interested in photography? I mean, I've known you my entire life and this seems to be something relatively new.

Kathryn Richey: I've been casually interested in photography since my senior year in high school. I enjoyed taking pictures of sunsets and spring flowers, playing with angles and action shots, but after Kyndall was born my casual interest evolved into a passion.

JC: Why is that? Do you just like taking pictures of your beautiful child? Or did she trigger something else? Or did something different inspire you?

KR: Am I taking the easy way out if I say a little bit of each? Of course I enjoy taking pictures of my beautiful child! Watching her play and grow reignited my tendency to see moments that would be beautiful frozen forever. The "something else" would have to be the feelings I had after taking her in for her first professional shoot. We were able to take her to a fantastic photographer whose studio is in her spare bedroom. The excitement of the session and the joy of seeing my daughter captured so beautifully were overwhelming. Paying for those beautiful pictures was overwhelming too, but not in the same positive way. Something in me was like, "I can do this myself."

(Caption: Kyndall, a bundle of inspiration.)

I researched photography, read articles, watched hours of how-to videos, and poured over studio sites from all over the country for inspiration. I tried to do some different shoots with Kyndall on my own, but my equipment wasn't high quality. After talking it all over with Kyle, and getting the encouragement I needed, I purchased the quality camera I needed.

JC: It seems to be a leap of faith from how-to videos to starting a business. So, what kind of reception have you received from the pictures you've posted on Facebook? Do you think Facebook is an invaluable tool for amateur artists like us (OK, maybe I shouldn't have included myself)?

KR: I've had very positive feedback on Facebook. I've scheduled shoots daily since posting examples of my work.

I think "invaluable" is a great way to describe Facebook for people like us. Since we're so old (editor’s note: she may be old, but I’m not) and able to remember life without Facebook, I know getting a photography business off the ground would have been expensive. I'd have all the time it takes to do shoots and edit photos like I do now, but then I'd have to pay to print proof books and books of examples to show prospective customers. My audience would only be those I could physically show the pictures to. It would be much more difficult to get my work noticed.

JC: This is probably a difficult question to answer, but what expectations do you have for your photos or photography business? Not to relate my blog to your photography, because the quality of your work is most likely superior, but I always have conflicted feelings about the work I put out for the public to see.

KR: After I post my final versions of pictures into customer's private albums on Facebook, I'm anxious beyond words to hear what they think. No matter how good I think I picture is, it's not about me. It's about what my customer's think about the images. Of course, it is about me to a point because I want them to like what I did. It's a nerve racking experience every time!

I'm actually avoiding expectations as much as possible. As soon as I start attaching expectations, I'll start getting disappointed.  My plan is to do this on the side as much as I can. If it ever becomes a full-time thing, I guess that would be good, but I'm not sure. I don't really want photography to turn into something I have to do. Make sense?

Another red flag for me in doing this full time is my tendency to be compulsive about things. Once I get my mind on an activity (editing photos, generating business, researching new techniques), I can't think of anything else. It's not the best trait when added to my roles of mommy and wife.

JC: With the overwhelming availability of professional-level photography equipment to the amateur photographer, how does a new photographer make his or her mark? Or what do you think you bring to photography or approach that is unique?

KR: I invested in a quality beginner DSLR with the adjustable features I needed, such as aperture, exposure, flash compensation, and shutter length. For professional photographers, I'm sure my camera is a joke. For me, it's the second most important tool I have. What sets me apart and helps me make a mark, I would have to say, is creativity. My goal is to see shots other photographers may not see, to take pictures from angles that are anything but traditional, and to make my subjects feel as comfortable as possible. Poses are necessary at times, but natural, fun pictures are always the most meaningful. After my camera and creativity, I should mention that my access to a 400+ acre farm with hundreds of different scenes is my third most valuable asset!

Also, I strongly believe great photography doesn't have to be expensive. I keep my prices as low as I can so that I don't eliminate people based on income. That's a pretty big deal to me.

JC: I usually always ask this question, and since we grew up together it will be interesting to see what you have to say, but what impact does living in the South have on your work, if any?

Obviously, you already mentioned the influence of a 400-plus acre farm.

KR: Though my interest was not serious enough to take out a camera and capture scenes until high school, I've always looked at beautiful landscapes, moments with family, etc., and seen them as pictures, matted in a frame. The South, particularly Northeast Arkansas, has always fueled that inspiration. Arkansas is such a beautiful state. We get to experience all four seasons: watch leaves change and fall, sneeze through spring and still make snowmen and swim in rivers. The fact I, as a photographer, get to have that many backdrops is fantastic. Arkansas gets such a bad rap (don't get me started on that, I've written papers on what I call geographical stereotyping), but there is so much to inspire future artists of any kind.

JC: Thanks for taking some time out of your busy schedule to talk with me. I wish you the best of luck, and maybe I'll sign up for a family shoot or something someday.

KR: Thanks for picking my photography to blog about. I'm flattered to know my pictures are getting so much attention.

Kathryn is currently a photographer in the Northeast Arkansas area. She lives in Jonesboro, Arkansas, with her husband Kyle, who are self-proclaimed moving professionals, and their daughter Kyndall. She stays at home with her 21-month old daughter, who is her world. Kathryn holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences and plans to begin work on her Master of Theological Studies Degree in the Fall.