We recently had the chance to connect with Kim Mumford and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Kim, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
When I was a kid reading was a way to escape the crazy that was my life. It was a way to find peace. That love of reading has stayed with me all these years.
On days where I have nothing planned, no sessions to edit, no traveling, no college hockey games for my son I love to grab a mug of coffee and grab a book. I love to get lost in reading. On days where it isn’t too hot or too cold I love to hang out on my deck in my large chair and just lose myself in some new world, some new adventure, some new romance. Though there is not much time between March and November due to the two busy seasons, I try to find some time each week to read a chapter or two just to help decompress. I have now found a love for audio books. They help when I am behind a computer editing the day away.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi there! My name is Kim and I am the owner of Kim Mumford Photography based in Southern IL. I am located in a small town just a few miles from SAFB and 20 min from St. Louis. I have always loved photography and did some back in the day when I was in high school. Of course back then it was film vs digital. I put it away for awhile and when my first son was born I picked up a camera again this time to document our lives as my husband was overseas in Korea for a year. In the next 10 years we had our daughter and another son and many, many more deployments. During those time I spent a lot of time documenting our lives so my husband would not feel like he missed anything. Once the kids were a little older I started to take it more seriously and began with classes, workshops and found a mentor. I photographed everything I could! I ended up finally finding my niche. I now specialize in high school Seniors, tweens and teens, families, sports and couples. I love getting to photograph high school Seniors though. Each Senior is so unique in their likes and hobbies and personalities. I love being able to bring their ideas to life. From sessions at Ball Park Village or Tower Grove Park to the Graffiti wall to the football field or even the hockey rink. Each session is unique and different.
Currently I am working on some special out of the box projects. Things I have always wanted to try but never had the skill. Now I have the skill, the models, the props, the ideas and can not wait to see them all come together!
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
This one is such a heartbreaking one. The reason? The person who knew I could succeed, the person who knew I could do great things, the person who knew I was more and could be more …..passed away back in December. My grandfather. He always believed in me. He told me from a young age that I was stronger then I knew, that I was braver then I knew and that I could accomplish anything I put my mind too. Any time I had a doubt or a fork in the road he was my sounding board. I loved hearing his advice and his encouragement.
Some days I just loved sitting with him and listening to his stories from when he was younger. So much history, so many adventures he had! He was my best friend, my hero and my biggest cheerleader. And though he isn’t here anymore I know he is looking down and still guiding me.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
Believe it or not, I am so freaked out to talk in public or in front of a group! I was the child, the teen, the adult that never asked a question in class or training. I loved just sitting back and observing things. I never had a hard time making friends or being part of a group but don’t ask me to get up in front of people.
Which makes you wonder how I can do my sessions? That is easy! I love getting to meet new people, learning about them, capturing their memories. I have even started, slowly, to do group get togethers for other photographers where we grab some models and just have fun learning from each other.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
This one is easy…….family. Family, Is. Everything. My friends are not my friends….they are family. I came from a pretty dysfunctional family. I won’t go into detail, but let’s just say I went through things that no child, no female child should have to go through. The only person that was there for me through everything, was my Grandfather who I mentioned earlier.
So, as someone who doesn’t have much blood family, my kids, my husband and my friends are my backbone, the reason I am still here today, the reason I do what I do. They are what matter to me.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope they tell the story about everything that I had to overcome to be the person I am today. Tell everything…the pain, the loss, the loves, the adventures, the highs, the lows and everything in between. I lived each day the way I wanted to, no regrets.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Kmphotogs.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimmumfordphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kimmumfordphotography
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@kmum33
Image Credits
Family photo of Kim Mumford was done by Anevay Photography & Design
