Check Out Kim Hefner’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kim Hefner.

Hi Kim, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Like many professional photographers, I’ve had a camera in my hand for many more years than I’ve had a business. My dad had always been very into photography as a hobby and would buy us little disposable cameras when we were really young for our vacations. I got my first digital camera when I was 12 or 13, and the rest is history as they say.

Finding out that adventure elopements were an actual thing is what inspired me to start my business. It combined all of the biggest things I am most passionate about–the outdoors, photography, and business. It’s really been a dream watching this business unfold and grow over the years.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has definitely not been a smooth road! Starting and running any business is really challenging, and truly a labor of love. I don’t think it’s something you can understand until you actually start a business yourself. The wedding industry as a whole was completely thrown for a loop when COVID hit in 2020, and I don’t think things have completely gotten back to normal yet either. The past three years (2020, 2021, and this year 2022) have each been different and challenging in their own ways, but I’m hopeful that we’re getting there and 2023 might see something more like business as usual.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Through Wild and Found Photography, I specialize in couples photography in the outdoors. I primarily photograph elopements, but I also do microweddings, proposals, and engagement or adventurous couples sessions. I know that the photos of these moments are really important since these are some of the most important days in a couple’s life. Usually, couples spend a lot of time finding their photographer for this occasion because it’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime moment. Which is why it’s been so important to always continue to push myself creatively and continue to specialize as an artist. I work quite a bit with double exposures, as well as nighttime and astrophotography with couples, and it’s something I want to continue to grow and specialize in as well.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My biggest advice for any photographer just starting out is to figure out what you want to do early and niche niche niche! I recently found an awesome photographer on Instagram here in Colorado that specializes not just in pet photography but pretty much only cats. And going even further than that, the vast majority of her work is gothic-influenced cat portraits. And she currently has 117,000 followers on Instagram. Her work is amazing! I think this is a great example of niching down and truly going for what you’re passionate about and finding success with it because there’s no one else out there like her! Find what makes YOU unique and embrace it!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://wildandfoundphoto.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildandfoundphoto/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wildandfoundphoto
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/wildfoundphoto