You asked and I listened. I know you have been wanting some interviews with some fantastic photographers. I decided who better than to start with than one of our own fabulous photographers! I have several other interviews up my sleeve as well.

Kelly Garvey is based in Houston, Texas. She is one of our generous contributors and an amazing photographer. She recently relaunched launched her new website. Head over and check out it. I love the slide show and words that accompany it on her site – Kelly Garvey Photography. Don’t forget to “like” her on Facebook as well.

1. How did you get started in photography?
I grew up with a dad who ALWAYS had a camera on him. I would play with his equipment & took an interest at a young age. I went through a phase where I thought I wanted to be on the other side of the camera, but after working at a modeling agency & in the fashion industry a for a few summers in a row during high school, I realized I was intrigued by taking the pictures & not being in them. Probably a good thing, seeing as a am kind of awkward in pictures :)

2. How do you make time for photography being a mother?
I didn’t know how to answer this so I asked my husband & he said “it’s all because you have a loving & supportive husband” – ha! So I guess that’s my answer :) Yes, he is so helpful but also I just don’t get any sleep…or have much of a social life!

3. What do you love to shoot?
I love the feel I get from shooting real emotion, real connections, real moments…I don’t limit myself to only shooting one type of photography, I just make sure I stay true to what I love (the lifestyle, the candid) & that those genuine interactions are present while shooting whatever I shoot.

4. How do you continue to challenge yourself creatively?
The CM Pro Daily Project has forced me to remain creative. Shooting everyday can get real boring if you don’t force yourself to think outside the box! Taking creative composition classes helps me so much. I took Sarah Wilkerson’s composition class months back & now I am waiting for the second round to start. Can’t wait.

5. When it comes to photography, how have you educated yourself?
All of my education photography related happened after graduating college. I dabbled in some local classes here in Houston, but really found I learned everything I know from Clickin’ Moms. I have taken tons of classes there & grown from each one. I have also benefitted from applying myself by reading, frequenting forums, perusing blogs & getting lots of good old-fashioned practice.

6. What is your favorite photo and why?
I think my favorite photos are the ones that tell a story. My favorites change – after each session I usually have a new favorite! This one was from my last session. I love the excitement on their faces.

7. What are 3 things you wish you had known before starting your photography business?
I am hesitant to answer this because I truly feel that all ups & downs one experiences add to their character & makes them who they are. I guess you can view it as “learning the hard way” to get where you are….I feel like it makes the end result more rewarding. But if I had to answer this one, I guess I realized how in depth, confusing & time consuming taxes/ bookkeeping is. Thank goodness my husband helps with this part (thank you, honey)! I also wish I knew how much went into being a photographer BEFORE I was one….all the behind the scenes, the editing, the maintenance of owning & operating your own business. I would have valued it more & understood why quality photography comes with a price. Also, wish I knew to have more patience…that no matter how hard I worked & how diligently I applied myself, growing as an artist takes time. You have to take tons of bad pictures first to appreciate the good ones later.

8. Pick 3 words you would like people to use when describing your work.
Raw (real, genuine), 
modern, and 
fun.

9. List 2 photographers who inspire you.
Ever since being introduced to Clickin’ Moms I have a ton of photographers I admire, follow & am inspired by. I have to stay loyal to the original two that caught my eye though. Years ago I started following Tara Whitney & Drew Bittel (Of Drew B Photography). LOVE them! They still amaze & inspire me. I am determined to get my family over to Cali one of these days to be photographed by Tara or Drew. I would love to see how they would capture my family & what they would do with us. I think about it often. I don’t have a bucket list but if I did, a session with them would definitely be on it.

10. If you had $5,000 to spend on photography gear, what would you buy?

I have bought a lot of lenses in the past year so I should be content but I feel I won’t truly be complete until I have the 35mm f/1.4 & maybe the 14-24mm f/2.8…lol. And I would sure love to sport the Nikon D4 one day. but we all know that isn’t under $5Gs! Maybe after all of that I will feel complete! 
Oh…also I have been eyeing an underwater camera as well. Possibly the Panasonic Lumix TS4 12.1. My son is learning how to swim & I’d LOVE to capture that underwater.

11. How would your friends and family describe you?

Probably depends who I’d ask…my husband says, “nice, caring, funny, thoughtful.” I guess he wasn’t feeling too creative! My mom said “sincere, vivacious, hardworking.” (She probably thinks I am a little bit of a mess, too, but was too nice to say it!).

12. What is something not many people know about you?
Today I found out I am allergic to mosquitoes! The second I walk outside I get swarmed by mobs of them & the person next to me will be perfectly fine. Crazy things happen to me after I get bitten. I guess I must be sweet!

13. What would you do if you weren’t a photographer?
I was an elementary teacher before I gave it up to be a photographer, so I’d still be doing that.

14. What are some photography goals?
My #1 love is natural light & always will be, but I love a good challenge so a goal of mine is to master using multiple off camera flashes all at once. I gravitate toward bright & sunny pictures…it’s my style & is so “me,” so I’d also like to challenge myself to shoot more moody, dramatic, cinematic images. I also should challenge myself to give myself a break. I am unhealthily hard on myself.

15. Describe your dream photography job/session/client.
I love when someone comes to me specifically because they share the same artistic vision as I & value my work….when they are excited & passionate about capturing their everyday on camera….when, after it is all over, they feel their “story” was captured perfectly.

16. Fill in the blank: I love photography because ____________.
I love photography because every piece of my being is in love with it. It makes me feel complete! Everywhere I go, it’s on my mind…I constantly see “good” light & beautiful moments I wish I could capture while out & about doing my day to day stuff. If I could walk around with my camera 24/7, I would. It makes me feel happy to know that long after we are all gone from this earth, our kids or their kids, or their kids kids kids (you get it!) will still have us & cherish those times through pictures.

Thank you Kelly for taking the time to answer these questions and inspire us! If you are in the Houston area, I highly recommend booking Kelly Garvey Photography for your next session.