Excited about our Have You Met series where I showcase YOU, the photographers of our community. We had over 400 photographers apply for the series in less than a week. I can’t wait to showcase the talented photographers. There is a mix of hobbyist and business owners as well as full-frame and crop sensor users. This may be my new favorite part of the site.

This post contains affiliate links. Thanks in advance for supporting Click it Up a Notch. I am not longer accepting applications for this series.

1. Tell us a little about yourself and your photography journey.
I am a wife and a mom! I live on Long Island with my husband and 3 sons, ages 5, 3 and 5 months. My photography journey began when my oldest son was born. Like many new parents I was excited to capture all of his firsts! When my second son arrived I was already hooked, but eager to learn more and improve. I started reading tutorials, watching videos and carrying my camera with me everywhere I went. I quickly realized how much I loved photography and about 2 years ago I decided to start a very small business.

2. What is the best advice you received so far on your photography journey?
Take your time; it’s not a race to the finish line. This is great advice in general, but definitely great advice for someone on a photography journey. When I first started actively trying to teach myself more about photography I remember feeling overwhelmed by how much there was to learn! I was trying to read everything and get it all at once. This advice helped me realize that it can’t be done quickly and that it is a process.

50mm | f/2.8 | ss 1/8000 | ISO 200

3. What is your favorite thing to photograph?
Hands down my kids are my most favorite subjects! I love capturing all the details of their lives. After my kids would be all people, especially families. I love watching families interact with each other and let their stories unfold in front of the camera.

15mm fisheye | f/2.8 | ss 1/1600 | ISO 800

4. Where do you find your inspiration?
I find inspiration almost everywhere, I love light, color, people and emotion. My kids are great inspirations! Sometimes I catch them doing something that makes me grab my camera and I find myself trying to get a new or different perspective.

5. What type of background do you have? Self taught? Formal training? Mentor?
Mostly self-taught, with a few classes along the way and lots of trial and error. I spent a good amount of time reading tons of tutorials, watching youtube videos and photographing my kids daily.

50mm | f/3.2 | ss 1/1000 | ISO 320

6. Are you currently doing any photography projects? If so, what?
I started a 365 challenge this year, but I fell way behind on posting when life with 3 little boys got busy. I hope to start a new challenge again soon!

7. If you could only use one lens for a year, which would you choose?
My absolute favorite lens is my Canon 35mm 1.4! It’s super sharp and fast! This lens is on my camera about 80% of the time. I find it works in most situations for me and photographing daily life.

35mm | f/1.4 | ss 1/125 | ISO 320

8. Share links to 3 of your favorite photography tutorials and tell us why.
How to use back button focusing – I love this one! I have read a few tutorials on BBF, but this one is my favorite! It made it very easy to understand and put to use.

Easy backlighting tips – I really love backlit images, but I struggled to get focus at times. These tips are a must for backlighting!

Kelvins for white balance – This is great little cheat sheet for Kelvin and white balance!

50mm | f/1.8 | ss 1/1000 | ISO 6400

9. What is your favorite image right now?
My favorite image right now would be the one of my middle son in the snow with his favorite blanket. I love the light, but the best part for me is his blanket dangling off his arm. One day, in a few years, long after he has traded this blanket for something else I will look back at this image and remember how special it used to be to him.

35mm| f/2.0 | ss 1/4000 | ISO 400

10. What type of camera and lenses do you shoot with?
Canon 5d markiii 35mm 1.4, 50mm 1.8, 100mm macro 2.8 and Sigma 15mm 2.8 fisheye.

50mm | f/2.2 | ss 1/160 | ISO 640

11. Let’s light someone else’s candle, who is a photographer you think we should check out?
I had the pleasure of meeting Cat Dunbar a few years ago when she photographed my family! She is super talented and has an awesome style. Check her out!

@jamiescramble on Istagram! She has some really cool images of her kids and family. Go follow her, you won’t be disappointed!

12. What is your biggest challenge when it comes to photography?
Right now my biggest challenge is staying on top of editing and organizing my own images. I photograph my kids everyday so it adds up quickly and can get out of hand if I don’t keep up with it.

50mm | f/1.4 | ss 1/8000 | ISO 125

13. How do you display your photos?
I have pictures all over my house but this is the main wall in my living room. I recently changed this wall to scale down the amount of images I had on display. I change the pictures so frequently that when my family comes over they check my wall to see what’s new. I also have this little board on my desk that I use for the pictures I print from Instagram.

14. What’s the strangest thing you carry in your camera bag, and why is it in there?
The strangest things I have in my camera bag would definitely be a couple of rocks! I’m not kidding! I was out photographing my sons one day last year and they were running around collecting rocks. My older son really wanted to take them home and asked if I would put them in my bag. I found an unused pocket and stuffed them in and that is where they have remained for almost a year. I also always have headbands, chapstick and purell. I make sure these things are in my bag before I leave the house.

100mm Macro | f/2.8 | ss 1/200 | ISO 400

15. What is next on your list of things to learn this year in photography?
So much! Next up for me is learning more about black and white. I love color, but lately I’m drawn to black and white images.

16. Show us what your workspace looks like.
This is my designated workspace, but I’m often wherever my kids are so my workspace changes constantly.

17. If people want to follow more of your work where should they go?
http://www.kimberlylphotography.com or you can find me on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KimberlyLangPhotography