Check Out Kenny Withrow’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kenny Withrow.

Hi Kenny, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
It all started with one small camera, the GoPro Hero 4. I used this camera to film and photograph my journey to compete at the IRONMAN World Championship in 2014. I was very much an amateur photographer/videographer using this tool to capture and create fun and cool content for social media with my friends. I created a small YouTube channel that highlighted our training days and races. All this was back when instagram was just taking off.

I would capture, create and post content to instagram and youtube knowing the value photos and videos had for athletes in all sports, especially in endurance sports. Fast forward a few years, I eventually upgraded to a digital camera and slowly started to take this hobby more seriously. Friends and small local brands would reach out to me to come out and capture a local event/triathlon.

Some of the earliest triathlon and cycling videos I made were for Without Limits Productions. Lance Panigutti would invite me out to create small highlight reels of his races. From there I would team up with another local media company; 303 Triathlon, and capture other local races including the annual IRONMAN event here in Boulder, CO.

I slowly began to build relationships with the athletes here in town and pro athletes. I would try to convince them how important a social media presence would be for them and their sponsors. Flash forward a few more years and I now travel across the country and globe to capture and create content for professional athletes and organizations.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s been a bumpy road to get where I am now, and even now isn’t the smoothest as any small business owner can relate. While I was trying to find my stride and purpose in life, I always found myself picking up my camera and creating. I slowly began to realize that I could turn this hobby into a profession, but it would take time and sacrifice. After giving the corporate world a go, I quickly left and started working a few part-time jobs to help supplement and grow as a videographer/photographer.

To cut down on the cost of rent and decided to live out of my truck. I was dirt-bagging for a bit while I began taking on more and more photography gigs. I did this in 2019 and was slowly beginning to see my photography business grow. Then 2020 hit… everything shut down. Much of my gig work was around concerts, festivals, and triathlon events. With no work in sight, I didn’t want to sit around, so I applied for a job to be an Amazon Prime delivery driver.

At the time of my interview, I call from local professional triathletes (Tim O’Donnell and Mirinda Carfae) and was asked if I wanted to be their videographer for their youtube channel. I took the opportunity and began working with them in 2020. It was here when I began my full-time profession as a photo/videographer. I began picking up work from all local athletes who realized how important it was to post on social media outside of racing.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I create content for athletes, brands, and race organizations. I work one on one with professional athletes to create content for their social media and sponsors. Much of my work has been based on creating YouTube channels for these athletes. I am also contracted out with the IRONMAN triathlon to capture and create content for their races, most notably the IRONMAN World Championship.

But I also work with many other brands, influencers, and festivals. I love sports and music, so you will see a good blend of both in my work. Some of my favorite work was at Envision Festival in 2020. I got to live in Costa Rica, on the site of the festival, and capture the building process of how they create a festival within the jungle of Costa Rica. Another proud accomplishment is being a part of the IRONMAN triathlon documentary crew in Kona, Hawaii this past October and seeing my work featured along with my other fellow creatives on NBC.

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I don’t think a lot of the people I work with in the triathlon community know that I used to compete as a top-age grouper in the sport. So I know what to look for and how to capture the sport which pays dividends in capturing good content.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.nokoastvisuals.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itskennywithrow/