Meet Kimberly Marsh | Professional Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kimberly Marsh and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kimberly, other than deciding to work for yourself, what else do you think played a pivotal role in your story?
If we are speaking business wise, I can say the single most important decision I made for my business was to stay in my own lane. So many people who go into business submerge themselves in what everyone else is doing. I personally decided that it was better for me not to know. I follow the industry as a whole but other local photographers in my area I do not. There can be so much drama and hate in probably every industry but even more so in the photography world. I believe there is enough business for everyone as not everyone is my client. We all shoot different, we have different styles, personalities, clients and love for our art. I love how 10 people can photograph the same exact thing and we all do it differently. What I do in my business is not how someone else does it. By not paying attention to what others are doing it allows me to focus on me, my work, my style, my clients and give them personal aspect that separates me from everyone else.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Wow, what a question. You know how companies have a “tag line”? Well one thing that people pointed out to me early on in my work, my style so they say, is the ability to capture the soul of someone. With that being said, my tag line became, “Capturing the soul of who you are.” I do not want to just photograph someone. I want to know who they are. I will not book a session until they come and talk to me. Sure there are people that just want the quick snap and be on their way, but the ones that will come talk to me and realize what I actually have to offer them become not just clients but close friends.
If you think about it, your photographer knows and learns every line on your face. I want to know my clients so well that they trust me to put down their walls and let me pull out who they are, I want a husband to see the wife he fell in love with. I want the kids to really see their mom, their dad. More importantly I want the person I am photographing to really see themselves. My favorite part is seeing the confidence and self esteem grow by showing them how amazingly beautiful they really are on the back of the camera. When you knock down the walls and can give raw emotion as to who someone really is that is when the magic happens. There is nothing more rewarding to me than seeing a shy teenager who is trying to discover themselves truly see how amazing they really are.
I have parents that say they can hear their kid laugh by looking at a photo. This becomes priceless to them when that child is grown and moves away. I have husbands who say they see the woman they fell in love with. I don’t want to just set up posed sessions, have kids miserable and uncomfortable, and spouses that didn’t want to me there. What memories are you sparking with sessions that are run that way? I never want someone to look at their images and think, “That day sucked. The kids didn’t listen. We all look stupid in matching clothes. All we did was fight the whole way there but at least she got a couple good ones.” Why do you want those memories? I may spend a little bit more time with someone but I promise they will have fun.
I really believe the ability and desire I have to photograph this way is what sets me apart. I love that my clients become a part of my life and that I can stay a part of theirs.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Prescott is an amazing place. It is full of history and amazing scenery. I would book them a room at one of the historic hotels downtown. Many of them were built in the early 1900’s and still have the historic charm. We would have to go get coffee at Campgrounds Coffee. It is the cutest little camp trailer that has been turned into a coffee truck and the best coffee in town. Then we have some of the greatest shopping downtown but would have to go to the Ian Russell Gallery. This gallery has the best and most original art anywhere in town. It has been voted the “Best Art Gallery” in Prescott for many years and is my favorite. There are many places to choose for lunch, and El Gato Azul is one of my favorites as well as Farm Provisions. Both places use local produce and meat from farmers close to town and I love that they source out local resources. Plus their food is AMAZING. We have old Jeeps so we go off road quite often. Prescott offers amazing trails for off road, biking and hiking. We have beautiful lakes and scenery. We are also close to Jerome which is an old mining town/ ghost town that is literally hanging off the side of a mountain. Jerome is one of my favorite places as well.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have quite a few people that helped me be who and where I am today. My husband, Tyson, gave me the encouragement and support to chase a dream and remind me that I can do all I set my mind to. There were some instructors I had in photograph school that I can still hear in my head every time I shoot. Bernie, Roy and Karen… I hear you. Every. Single. Time. Then Jason Lanier… I don’t have enough words as to what he instilled in me. Jason’s belief in me and my work is one thing that pushed me to not quit but to up my game. I also want to give a shout out to Ian Russell. Ian gave me an opportunity to grow, and flourish. The studio space above his art gallery in the heart of downtown to me is priceless. His friendship, trust and support is something that I do not take for granted.

Website: www.kimberlymarshphotography.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/kimberlymarshphotography

Facebook: www.facebook.com/kimberlymarshphotography

Youtube: Kimberly Marsh Photography

Other: @KimberlyMarshPhotography on TicTok

Image Credits
©KimberlyMarshPhotography ©PeiChoPhotography