Sweet newborns
Kiddos
Couples 
Family
Posted on April 14, 2011
My oh my. It’s Thursday again. My weeks are flying by super fast, and I’m quickly looking at the end of the school year. The end of the school year for my kiddo, and then end of a school year for the hubby. He will be going back (most likely in December), but as of right now, we’re going to enjoy some much needed time with the man of our house. The girls and I definitely have missed having him home at night. I’m also busy planning his graduation party, which will be a kick off to the summer. So we will be doing a luau theme, and enjoying every bit of it.
Well, that is enough talk about that…we need to get onto the photographer for this week.
This photographer I know from, none other than a photography forum. Her photography to me is so magical. It’s absolutely amazing, and breathtaking. She is definitely fabulous at what she does. However, this talented lady is not just a photographer. Oh no. She is also a motion picture production attorney for Universal Pictures. So…now that I’ve described her a little for you…let’s meet this talented lady, and then you can see what I’m talking about.
Just to give you a peek at her fantastic work….
Are you ready? Are you really ready?
Let’s introduce……
Carolyn Hampton – Carolyn Hampton Photography
Los Angeles, California Photographer
Photo courtesy of Kristen Wagner – Website
Where are you from? Where do you currently live?
Born and raised in Los Angeles, California.
What does photography mean to you? What attracted you to photography?
I first started taking pictures when I was 10 and my parents gave me my first camera, a Pentax MV1. I was instantly attracted to the idea of capturing moments in time. After the birth of my daughter, I became even more intent on preserving her milestones and important memories.
A lot of my current fine art work involves the exploration of my recurring dreams and childhood memories using artifacts passed down through generations of my family. In some ways, I find the process of creating images to be therapeutic.
Describe the area of photography you specialize in? Why did you choose this area?
I am a portrait photographer, but since my time for shooting is so limited by my day job (as a motion picture production attorney for Universal Pictures), I am no longer taking paid assignments. My last paid gig was last summer. I am now a fine art photographer, so I focus on my own projects which are not constrained by the accepted rules of portraiture. It’s liberating! My work is currently hanging in juried group exhibitions in six galleries across the country, I have been published in a few magazines, and I have been selling prints. I am incredibly honored when people love an image so much that they want to hang it in their home. My dream is to have a solo show in a gallery and to have gallery representation.
How long have you been a photographer?
Since the age of 10, so a l-o-n-g time. 
Is it only you with your business, or do you have an assistant?
I am not in business but my husband usually assists me when I have a shoot. My daughter is often my muse, so it then becomes a Hampton family effort.
Are you self taught or have you attended formal schooling? What workshops/seminars have you found useful to you?
I have taken a number of courses at UCLA and at the Julia Dean Photoworkshops that were extremely helpful, especially in terms of learning lighting techniques. I particularly enjoyed my classes with Michael Grecco and Kevin Merrill. Aline Smithson teaches wonderful classes on breaking into the world of fine art photography – I had no clue before I took them. I also took two workshops with Brooke Shaden that were very inspiring in terms of stretching the imagination. As for Photoshop, I am mostly self-taught.
Morning or night owl?
Definitely night owl.
If you could describe your style of photography in 4 words, what would they be?
Dreamlike, otherworldly, whimsical, imaginative
Who is your family? Include some pictures of them since we all know that our family is always in our photographs.
My husband, our 10 year old daughter, a German Shepherd, and a cat who thinks she is a dog.
Image courtesy of Kristen Wagner – Website
What is a project that you would like to do this year with your photography?
I have my eye on a very old, abandoned theater in Los Angeles and I would love to do a shoot there to add to my black and white dream series. I also hope to begin work this summer on a children’s book that has a story and accompanying photographs.
How do you balance work, and your family?
To live my life and balance everything on my plate means to not get enough sleep. 
We all want to know…what’s in YOUR bag? What lens could you not live without?
I primarily shoot with a Canon 5D Mark II and a variety of lenses. I also shoot with film cameras, including a medium format Mamiya, and toy cameras such as the Holga and Diana. My 2 favorite lenses for the Canon are the 70-200mm and the 24-70mm.
If you could photograph any person in the world, who would it be? Why?
Nelson Mandela. I would love to look into the eyes of a man who has lived such an extraordinary life and who has such an incredible capacity for forgiveness. To photograph that face, in that golden, late afternoon South African light? That would be a fantasy.
If you weren’t a photographer, what would you be?
I think no matter what, I was meant to be a lawyer, so in terms of something in addition to that, if I were not a photographer, I would either take up oil painting or I would devote more time to cooking up gourmet meals. I love to cook but I have very little time for it.
What are 4 words your husband would use to describe you?
I asked him and his response was: “Beautiful. Inside. And. Out.”
What helps keep you motivated with photography?
The never ending learning curve.
Tell us about some of your long term goals (with photography or personal life)?
I would love to have a book published one day – whether it is the children’s book I mentioned, or something else. And I don’t mean self-published – I mean a book released by a traditional publisher that would be sold on Amazon.
What blogs do you love to stalk (doesn’t have to be photography related if you don’t want)?
I read Lenscratch (a fine art photography blogzine by my friend, Aline Smithson; http://lenscratch.blogspot.com/) every single day without fail. For me, it is the best way to keep up to date on the contemporary fine art photography scene. There are others I enjoy but check less frequently, such as Joe McNally’s.
When you’re not shooting, what are you doing?
Having fun with my daughter and husband – going to movies, going to the beach, taking the dog to a park, snow skiing, etc.
Where is one place you would love to travel to?
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
What is one thing that you want to do in your life?
Right after the Bar Exam, I traveled around Sub-Saharan Africa by myself for five weeks and it was an incredible, life-altering trip. I think about Africa nearly every day of my life. I look forward to experiencing that same trip with my daughter one day. She adores animals and is becoming a good photographer herself, so I know she would love it there.
What is a quote that means a lot to you?
“Photography is a craft. Anyone can learn a craft with normal intelligence and application. To
take it beyond the craft is something else. That’s when magic comes in. And I don’t know that
there is any explanation for that.” — Elliott Erwitt
If you could pick one photographer in the world to do a session for you, and your family, who would it be and why?
I would be thrilled to have the amazing Kristen Wagner Penn come back for a visit and do another session for us because she did a fantastic job last summer (www.photographybykristenwagner.com). If money were no object, my dream would be to have us pose for Rodney Smith, since he is an artistic genius (www.rodneysmith.com).
If you could photograph one area of photography for a day, what would it be, why? (Something other than what you photograph, i.e. architecture, food, boudoir, birth, etc.)
Fine art nudes.
If you could give one piece of advice to someone starting out in photography, what would it be?
Study, study, study. Learn the ins and outs of your camera. The hard work pays off in the end. I have to say that I am troubled by professional photographers who put their camera on auto and don’t bother to learn, when they are charging people for sessions. It takes a lot of time and effort to get to the point where the camera feels like another appendage – where you can size up the light and quickly achieve predictable results – but when you get there, it is the most blissful feeling.
What magazine could you not live without?
In Style
Please include some of your favorite images….
Did I not tell you that her images were magical? Oh yes I did, and it was so true. Thank you so much Carolyn for being featured with us. It was a blast getting to know you better, and of course be able to show your images. You have a fantastic talent, and are such a sweet gal. Thank you again!!
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Posted on March 24, 2011
We have a winner, and the winner has been verified. The winner will be posted tomorrow morning, so stay tuned. Along with the giveaway winner, “Talk To Me Thursday” will also be posted tomorrow as well. It’s been crazy around here, and I have lots of stuff going on in the next couple of days that are needing my time right now. We had to get things finalized with the fantastic photographer for tomorrow, so she will be posted tomorrow along with the winner of the giveaway.
You don’t want to miss the winner, and you definitely don’t want to miss this talented photographer.
So stay tuned for a post tomorrow morning.
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Posted on March 17, 2011
Our photographer for this week is joining us all the way from Germany! Oh yes, Germany. I actually met her through a photography forum that I’m part of. The first boudoir photography I ever saw was hers, and I was hooked. I always thought that boudoir was risque, however these thoughts were just from hearing the word mixed with photography. Once I actually saw what it was, I fell in love. This photographer does an amazing job. You can feel the emotion in her photos. I’ve never met her, but from her e-mails, and comments on the forum she sounds like a hoot, and someone that would definitely be fun to hang out with.
So, let’s get on with introducing this awesome photographer…
Kim Kravitz – Kim Kravitz Photography
Heidelberg, Germany Photographer
http://www.kimkravitzphotography.com/
Where are you from? Where do you currently live?
I was born in Oklahoma, raised in southeast Kansas, and now live in Germany.
What does photography mean to you? What attracted you to photography?
I’ve always had a creative side. My outlet used to be cheerleading, twirling, and dance. Once I had kids, though, and was out of school, those were no longer my outlets. One day I discussed getting a camera with my husband, we went to Best Buy to test some out, and I came home with a shinny new camera. Seems like now I always have a camera on hand.
Describe the area of photography you specialize in? Why did you choose this area?
I specialize in boudoir, seniors, and couples. I never really had a feel for shooting families or children. After I’m done shooting a boudoir, senior, or couple my clients always seem to be on cloud nine. They loved their session and they can’t wait to see their images. I love their excitement that they have. I never seem to get the same feeling from my family/children clients, so I’ve decided not to openly advertise for those two types of sessions.
How long have you been a photographer?
I started shooting in October 2008, so I’m going on 2.5 years. J
Is it only you with your business, or do you have an assistant?
It’s only me for now. There are times when I will seek out an assitant for a session but those are few and far in between.
Are you self taught or have you attended formal schooling? What workshops/seminars have you found useful to you?
All self taught! I did a mentor session with Jessica Edwards Photography back when I was JSO. Since then I have taught at the Mpix Meet-up and “attended” a few on-line workshops. Most of what I know is done through trial and error.
Morning or night owl?
I would say both. When my husband is deployed I’m definitely a night owl. It’s so much easier to get some work done when the kids are in bed. When my husband is home, I’m a morning person. I get up with my oldest to take her to the bus stop, so I have about a good hour after that that I can sit down and get work done.
If you could describe your style of photography in 4 words, what would they be?
I would say my style is clean, bright, candid, and moody. My colored images are definitely bright and clean, but my black and white images are definitely moody. I would say most of my images are “candid.” I just don’t do the whole “sit and pose” thing.
Who is your family? Include some pictures of them since we all know that our family is always in our photographs.
I have two daughters Mac and Keclie, my wonderful husband Aaron, and our dog Ringo.
What is a project that you would like to do this year with your photography?
Gah! I have so many! Lol I would really like to get all of my images in my portfolio to be cohesive with each other. I feel like I’ve recently found my “style” and want my portfolio images to convey that style.
How do you balance work, and your family?
Good question. I don’t feel like I have them balance yet, but I do feel like I am more balanced than I was just a few months ago. I have become a list maker. The night before I make my photography “to-do” list and try to stick to it. Being a SAHM and a WAHM, I have a very “terrible two” year old here. I have to use nap time and my mornings well. If I do not stay on task it doesn’t get done. White boards have, also, become my friend to help keep my to-do list in my face and keep me on track for the day. As for scheduling sessions and what not, I do most of those on weekends. I’m a low volume type of person, so it’s easy for me to keep my families priorities number one.
We all want to know…what’s in YOUR bag? What lens could you not live without?
Ha! I just upgraded to the Canon 5D Mark II. I still have my Canon 50D as my back up. I really wanted video. I think it’s the new “in,” especially with senior portraits. I shoot with my 50 mm 1.4 and my 24-70 mm 2.8. Since getting the new full-frame camera, I have lens lust for the 70-200 mm 2.8. My 24-70 just doesn’t zoom in there close enough anymore lol.
If you could photograph any person in the world, who would it be? Why?
The President. Any of them. I would love to be the White House photographer. With this position, you really are capturing history!
If you weren’t a photographer, what would you be?
A cop or something else in law enforcement. Before I met my husband I was going to school to get my criminal justice degree. With moving so much with the Army, being a cop just isn’t a realistic dream anymore.
What are 4 words your husband would use to describe you?
Ha! I have totally asked him this question before. I believe his answers were driven, stubborn, and something else and something else. I would ask him but it’s the morning here and he is still snoozing.
What helps keep you motivated with photography?
Everything and anything. After raising my prices, I have yet to get burned out. During the “down time” in the winter months, I try to keep my photography club very active shooting 2 to 3 times per month with them.
Tell us about some of your long term goals (with photography or personal life)?
Hm. Never really thought about the long term goals yet. That’s what you’re supposed to do when you grow up, right? Lol I definitely do not feel old enough to have a long term goal. I guess if I had to pick a few right now, it would be to make sure I still feel the need to learn something. When I get to the point that I think I know everything, I need to give it up. Photography is constantly evolving and there is always something new to learn. I would, also, like to have a steady flow of clients. I’ll take 4 to 5 per month. Nothing too major. And for a personal goal, I would love to go back to college and get my degree. Haven’t decided in what yet. Business, criminal justice, and of course photography all tickle my fancy for the time being.
What blogs do you love to stalk (doesn’t have to be photography related if you don’t want)?
I don’t really have the time right now to stalk a lot of blogs. I’m more of a forum junky. J A few blogs that I really enjoy are http://www.vickielanphoto.com/, http://www.thedivasblog.com/ (love their youtube channel!) and http://www.bumblesandlight.com/.
When you’re not shooting, what are you doing?
Chasing around my “terrible two” year old. She definitely keeps me on my toes. Also, running our oldest to wrestling practice. Yeah, random, I know. Her dad convinced her, after watching too much WWE, to do wrestling instead of cheerleading this year. J She loves it so fine. Lol. And I play army wife here and there.
Where is one place you would love to travel to?
There are so many! Being in Europe, I would love to go to Pairs. It’s so close. Like a 5 hour drive. I don’t know why we haven’t done it yet lol. I, also, want to go to Ireland. It’s on my bucket list, so I will go there before I die. And, lastly, I must go back to Jamaica. That country rocks!! It’s so carefree and absolutely gorgeous!
What is one thing that you want to do in your life?
Tough question. There are so many things that I want to do in my life, but which one is the most important one to list here lol. I would like to build my own studio someday. And not your average studio. I want a white wall, one bed, all natural light studio. I have this vision for my boudoir portraits and this type of studio would help achieve that vision.
What is a quote that means a lot to you?
I’m not for sure if I can think of an appropriate one to share. Lol I have a terrible sense of humor that most probably wouldn’t get unless you spent some time with me in person.
If you could pick one photographer in the world to do a session for you, and your family, who would it be and why?
Oh this one is a tough one. There are so many great photographers out there! I really love Sarah Wilkerson’s lifestyle photography. She knows how to capture those aw moments that makes a mother’s her skip a beat.
If you could photograph one area of photography for a day, what would it be, why? (Something other than what you photograph, i.e. architecture, food, boudoir, birth, etc.)
Combat/war photography. I would love to capture the good, the bad, and the ugly of what our troops are doing down range. Not for sure if I could really explain why I want to do this so it would make sense for everyone, so we’ll just leave it at that.
If you could give one piece of advice to someone starting out in photography, what would it be?
You don’t need to buy everything out there. Do not get caught up in all the craze. Master your camera first. Once you know how to properly use your camera, you photography journey can really soar!
What magazine could you not live without?
Hm. I’m not really the magazine type. I have a bad habit of buying books and magazines and never finishing them lol. I was never really the reading type.
Please include some of your favorite images….
Thanks so much Kim for allowing us to get to know you better and have you featured this week! You definitely had some awesome answers, and I’ve never thought of what it would be like to be the White House photographer. That would be an interesting job indeed. You totally sound like me when it comes to college. I would love to go back once the kids are all in school, and I have a list of things I wouldn’t mind getting a degree or two in. I have a couple of artsy related ones, then some more “grown up” type ones. Lol.
Thanks again Kim! It was great having you, and I don’t think this will be the last we see of Kim on the website. Just sayin’.
Don’t forget about the giveaway going on right now either! It ends on Tuesday night at 11:59 p.m. You can find it here The big 28 + 3 Birthday Giveaway!!!
Super easy to enter!!
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