Rising Stars: Meet Kimberly Mitiska

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimberly Mitiska.

Hi Kimberly, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve been drawn to photography with a deep internal pull from a young age. In 8th grade, I was gifted my first point-and-click camera by my parents. This was long before I understood any of the technical aspects. I knew I wanted to immerse myself in freezing time. The ability to create and document beauty, to show someone how I perceived them was powerful. Expressing myself creatively was an outlet that was necessary in me feeling joyful.

My junior and senior years of high school I pursued a commercial photography program at another high school than the one I attended. Every afternoon I drove to Cherry Creek High School from Arapahoe High School to attend this specific program. I immediately fell in love with the darkroom and being able to develop my own film. It was such a unique and fulfilling experience. Our teacher inspired me and made me feel like I had an eye for imagery, sparking the flame.

I never believed that I could make a career out of photography until I had an eye-opening moment at 19 while traveling abroad in South Africa. I came home with a calling to pursue wedding photography with my whole heart. I had no plan B. I knew that it would happen if I put my whole self into pursuing it. I third and second shot for free until I was able to make enough money to invest in better gear, editing software, and workshops.

I went full time when I booked ten weddings for a Summer and never looked back after that.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has been anything but a smooth road, especially the last few years after going through 2020. Owning any small business means wearing a lot of different hats. Speaking as a single-person business I’m constantly having to learn new information and new technology. Not only am I a photographer but also an editor, accountant, planner, writer, location scouter, stylist helper, and part-time therapist.

Owning your business means that you need to be reliable and trustworthy. And being a photographer means that you need to honor the vulnerability that humans are showing up to you with.

Struggles along the way have included finding my style & voice and listening to what that is despite all of the competition in a saturated market. Figuring out my why, which took me years to put into words and is just now fully coming to life. As well as learning to set boundaries so that my cup is full and I can show up and best serve my people. And of course, setting a pricing structure to match the level of expertise and time put into any given session or project is difficult.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialized in authentically genuine moments. I’m a documenter, witness, and truth-teller. I currently photograph weddings & engagements, branding sessions, and family photography. Building a relationship with anyone who steps in front of my camera is of paramount importance to me.

I’m most proud of how people leave sessions and weddings telling me how easy and enjoyable the experience felt. My people hire me because they value people over stuff, they practice gratitude in their daily life, and they really love their family chosen or blood.

I believe what sets me apart from others is my reliability, timeliness, my true to color editing tones, my ability to mirror energy in different situations, 12 years of experience, and the fact that I care a lot about what I do. It matters because stories and people matter.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
First and foremost do it because you love it. Start small, and invest in good gear (even if it’s a single camera and lens). Don’t be afraid to reach out to lots of people you admire in your field. This works better if you support, follow, and build a rapport with individuals. Write them custom emails that call out to them to directly and offer to buy them a cup of coffee. Also, try not to be discouraged when people don’t respond. It’s not a reflection of you. The person probably doesn’t have the emotional bandwidth at that moment to take on and mentor someone at that time.

Surround yourself with a tribe of artists that you can trust. Join groups like Colorado Female Photographers if you’re a photographer. Take photography workshops in topics that scare you and shoot as much as possible.

Pricing:

• Wedding Collections begin at $3,900 for 6 hours
• Family Pricing starts at $500
• Branding Pricing starts at $550

Contact Info:

• Email: kmitiskaphotography@gmail.com
• Website: http://www.kmitiskaphotography.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kmitiskaphotography/, https://www.instagram.com/kmitiskaportraits/ and https://www.instagram.com/kmitiskafamilies/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KMitiskaPhotography/

Image Credits
For my headshot please credit the lovely: https://kfearlessphotography.com