Today we’d like to introduce you to Kim Mumford.
Hi Kim, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started out in high school with film, taking pics of friends and locations. I was told that I would never make any money at photography. So, I hung it up. Soon, I met my better half and we had our first son Matt. My husband was active-duty Air Force and soon after Matt was born, he was sent to Iraq for 4 months. When our son Matt was 16 months old, he was sent to Korea for a year. During that year I wanted to document our son for him so he would not feel like he missed out on any milestones. I started to fall back in love with photography but had no idea I could do this for a living. It would take a move across the country from NM to Southern IL , various jobs and 2 more kids….our daughter Kayla and our youngest son Nick… more deployments, missed birthdays, missed holidays, missed kids’ activities and sports to help spark that fire from a small ember to a roaring inferno. Once the kids got to be preteens and the deployments were not as many, I took time for me. For my passion. I took classes, I took workshops, I learned my camera inside and out. I practiced on all my friends, my kids, and their friends. I learned lighting, posing, how to communicate with people, and learned how to run a business. It was then that I realized that I COULD do this for a living! I was all in at that time! Spent a year and a 1/2 just practicing and shadowing other amazing artists before I was ready to jump in full time. At the beginning, I photographed everything…weddings, newborns, families, events, etc. After a few years, I realized where my passion truly lives…my Seniors, Families, Couples, and Sports. Mainly Hockey. Now 9 years later I have a thriving photography business and I specialize in high school Seniors, Families, and Sports.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, I would say it has not been a smooth road at all. And I am actually glad for that. If it was smooth and easy what is the fun in that? I had to deal with the negative people in my life who said I would not make a living doing this. I had to deal with over 10 deployments and being a single mom during that time. I had one kid in soccer, one in volleyball, and 1 in high-level travel hockey. And the worst was that I had to deal with the unknown worrying about my husband being in places like Iraq, Afghanistan, and the like. I also had to deal with the younger photographers in the area who seemed to think I was too old to be in this field. But I pushed my way down that road and came out the other side a wiser, stronger woman and photographer.
The bumps along the way help shape you into who you are and I would not have it any other way. Besides I love a challenge.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in high school Seniors, Sports, Families, and children. I think in this area I am known for my Seniors and Hockey images. I am one of the few women who actually love to photograph ice hockey in the area. I am most proud of my work with high school Seniors. Each one is different and unique. No two sessions are ever the same. I think what sets me apart from others is my personality and relatability to my Seniors especially. I have raised three amazing kids and have dealt with all the trials that life brings pre-teens and teens so I can relate and talk to these Seniors and get them to open up during their sessions, get to know them on their level, and then create some magic with their images. I am a mom but not their mom so they see me more as a friend. After all, you have to have trust going into these sessions or your images will show that.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I have to say I love everything that St. Louis has to offer! I love the sights, the sounds, the beauty. I love finding and bringing out the beauty in things that others would just pass on by. It is amazing how I can take a Senior to a graffiti wall for some city vibe feels and then I can go a few blocks and be in a beautiful art sculpture park or even a few more blocks and we are in the heart of Baseball country. Such a variety.
As far as what I like least about St. Louis? I would totally have to say the traffic. Yikes!
Pricing:
- My Senior experience packages start out at $199 and go up to $1299.
Contact Info:
- Email: kimmumfordphotography@yahoo.com
- Website: Kmphotogs.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimmumfordphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063627547306
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@kmum33?lang=en&is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v1
Image Credits
Kim Mumford Photography
Ericca Starr Mifflin
