In 1989, with the goal of working for the motion picture industry, kimarie enrolled in a theatrical make-up school in l.a. where she learned everything from old age and monster make-up, to creating realistic cuts, Scars, bruises and bullet holes. However she soon discovered that Breaking into the movie industry was no easy task. Because she needed to Make a living but didn’t want to return to an office environment, she Took a $6.00 per hour job as a make up artist for “headshots”. A studio Specializing in an assembly line process of glamour photography in Shopping malls. Times changed, owners changed, and it was time for kim to Change direction.
With enough knowledge under her belt, she decided to move to ukiah, wanting to be closer to her parents and to try a much smaller version of a “glamour” photography studio”. With no business sense and minimal Photography skills, she planned to make to big move to a small town to do what she enjoyed doing most; making women look pretty. “i knew nothing about running a business or even really taking pictures, but i knew how to make women beautiful for a photograph.”
Before moving, kimarie stormed l.a.’s garment district, bought hundreds Of dollars of glitzy fabric and lots of gaudy earrings, wiped the dust Of an old nikon she really knew nothing about and moved to ukiah.
Kimarie opened fantasy stills photography in june of 1991 strictly Shooting glamour portraits. Making women look their most beautiful, and Somewhat unrecognizable was fun for both kim and her clients, and the Studio became an instant success. As the business grew, she was constantly Approached to photograph other aspects of photography. Families? “no!“ Weddings? “no!” Little kids? “oh lord no!” Anything outside the Studio? “no way!” After realizing that the glamour photography wasn’t going to be for everyone, she feared her phone would stop ringing. Kim then decided to attempt to teach herself photography. Tossing aside the automatic point and shoot, she invested in better lighting, a “professional” camera, wasted lots of film, and finally perfected the basics. The word “no” was eventually removed from her vocabulary. She then ventured outside of the box and into the unknown where she started trying a little bit of everything; ranging from weddings, families, high school seniors, outdoor locations, and yes, even babies and little people.
Once kim finally got that old way of photography down, along came digital!!!
When the digital industry perfected the quality output of the pro series cameras, kim made the decision to leave the comfortable and familiar world of film and tackle the ”digital monster” to grow with the industry. After a huge amount of time and money invested in numerous seminars, trade shows, educational classes and lots of awesome software, she was finally satisfied if not thrilled with the endless possibilities and creativity she was now able to offer her clients; taking her work to a more artistic level. Each and every image selected by the client is personally enhanced or customized by kim before it is shipped off to the lab for printing. On that note, digital photography has made the process of producing a final portrait take longer than in the past. However, it is time needed by kim to perfect the client’s finished product, which in the end is worth waiting a little longer for.
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A personal note from kimarie
- Thank you to all who have supported me thru the years and who have granted me the pleasure of photographing the special people, special moments and milestones in your lives.
- To my husband, who has stood by me thru the years of huge transitions, major hurdles, and hugged me when i was overwhelmed and in tears when i didn’t even know where the “ctrl” or the “shift key” was on the computer. How things have changed.
- To jessica, no one would be viewing this website if not for you. You are my right hand, my “focus” button, and you make me get things done even when i don’t want to do them. You’re a true asset to me and the everyday workings of the studio. Always remember, even on the crazy days or the cranky days (and boy we have em) i always appreciate you.
Kimarie |
