Kimberly Manning

I had an 18+ year career in law enforcement coupled with a "side hustle" of performing traditional country music. The law enforcement job paid the bills and the music gave me a creative outlet. Now that I am remarried and no longer have to work a 9-5 (or in my case a graveyard shift) my husband saw my desire to learn and grow and become a legitimate, educated, professional photographer.So he helped me get the equipment and the learning I would need to help me achieve that goal. I read an article recently by Joel Grimes that stated many people complain that the market is saturated with photographers. He corrected that philosophy by saying "the market is saturated with mediocre photographers". This opened my eyes to the realization that if I am not striving and reaching to be at the top then I too am a mediocre photographer. I want to be way more than that. I want to be the kind of photographer that when someone sees my work they know its me before they ever look at the artist's name. I don't want to be taking the same photos every other photographer captures. I love styled photo shoots where I get to play the role of director and not just the "picture taker". I still have a ways to go. But looking back at the photos I took just two years ago compared to the photos I take now... mediocrity will soon be a thing of the past for me.
I find inspiration from the works of Joe McNally, Jan Gonzales, Irene Rudnyk, Joel Grimes and modern day painter Art Volegov.