After nearly two decades of working, it would be understandable for any photographer to feel a little less enthusiastic about their work. But not Kim Hildebrand! She’s still honing her skills and stoking her passion for capturing those tender real life moments.
In this episode, Kim shares how she’s managed to grow and find stability over her last 17 years as a photographer. She shares the lessons she learned early on, how systems have helped her find consistency and balance, and how she’s helping other photographers do the same.
Plus, she’s sharing what keeps her passion alive and why she loves photographing families so much. It’s the “why” that keeps her going. Let’s dive in!
What’s in this episode:
- [02:29] How Kim’s style has evolved over her long photography career
- [09:11] How Kim puts families at ease during her in-home photography sessions
- [12:34] Kim’s PhotoBoss Frameworks and how developing systems over her decades as a photographer changed her business for the better
- [19:14] Common signs that tell photographers that they need more systems in place
- [23:00] How Kim keeps the passion for her photography going after nearly two decades
- [28:35] Kim’s early career mistake that ended up as an invaluable learning moment
- [32:37] Kim’s lightning round
If you’re ready to lay the groundwork for a long and fulfilling photography career, this episode with Kim is one you can’t miss!
SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts | Spotify
Resources Mentioned
Meet Kim Hildebrand
Kim Hildebrand is an award-winning newborn and family photographer, educator, and mentor based in Coeur d’Alene, ID. With over 17 years of experience, she specializes in in-home storytelling photography and has been recognized by Rangefinder, Click Magazine, Magnolia Rouge, and Professional Photographer. Named one of Click’s Top Photographers to Watch in 2017, her work has been featured in VOICE, Shoot It With Film, and Richard Photo Lab, and more. Passionate about film, flash, family photography, and business systems, Kim helps photographers simplify the chaos and elevate their art through education at kimhildebrand.com/education. When she’s not behind the lens, she’s hiking, traveling, or goofing around with her family and fur-baby, Ida.
Connect with Kim
Learn more about PhotoBoss Frameworks
Did this episode with Kim get you thinking about how to maintain a long family photography career? Check out this episode Turning Frustration into Fuel: Harnessing Change and Growth in Your Photography Business with Fiona Margo that shares how another photographer started their career!
Transcript
[00:00:00] Kim: Just start, like, don’t be worried about everything being perfect. Either for your shoot or for your website or for a blog post, whatever it is starting is sometimes the hardest thing. You could always go back and like tweak things or even redo a session if you need to. It’s not fun, but life happens. But I think perfectionism is a form of fear and a lot of people want everything to be perfect ’cause they want that control, or they’re just afraid of doing the thing.
[00:00:32] But if you can just go for it, just like get in the arena, just go start the thing, you will feel better. And then you can learn and be curious, and you’re gonna make mistakes. Learn from the mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes, right? And it’s okay.
[00:00:51] Lisa: Hey, friend. Welcome to the Art and Soul Show. I’m your host, Lisa DiGeso, a mom, a photographer and entrepreneur. Tune in here for Pep Talks, [00:01:00] conversations and advice on photography, creativity, mindset, business, life, and that messy in between. This is the place where you can go when you need a boost of encouragement, a kick in the pants, and inspiration to pick up your camera.
[00:01:13] This is the Art and Soul show. Hello, my beautiful friends. Welcome back to the show. Today I am chatting with Kim Hildebrand, an award-winning newborn family photographer, educator and mentor based in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Kim has been in the photography industry for over 17 years and is known for her in-home styling sessions, love of film and flash, and her ability to make families feel totally at ease.
[00:01:38] She’s also the creator of photo Bos frameworks where she helps photographers. Simplify the chaos of running a business with tools, templates, and systems that actually save time when she’s not photographing or teaching. You’ll find her hiking, traveling, or spending time with her family. An adorable pup Ida, welcome Kim.
[00:01:56] Kim: Hi Lisa. How are you?
[00:01:58] Lisa: I’m so good. And I, [00:02:00] we were just talking and we’d actually met in person in Salt Lake City at a click away function way back in 2014, so I thought That’s so cool. You know? You’re coming to teach for Milky Way now and it’s just, it’s so fun. And you’ve been in the photography industry for over 17 years?
[00:02:18] Yeah, I’m coaching I think 15 years. So it has changed so much. So I wanna know what’s really changed the most about your style or even your approach based to when you first started.
[00:02:29] Kim: Yes. And first of all, thank you so much for having me. It’s great to reconnect with you and I’m really excited to teach the Milky Way Family Retreat this year, so it’s awesome to talk to you.
[00:02:40] I was thinking, so I did get your questions and I was like thinking about all this a couple days ago and just, it’s interesting to kind of take that dream back because it has been so many years, right? And it’s easy to get focused on maybe what’s not working. But it’s really fun to just kind of reflect on how much business has changed and evolved in 17 years.
[00:02:59] [00:03:00] Yeah, and the funny thing that like popped into my head when I read that question was my, when I first printed business cards, it was through Vista Print and my little tagline on there was real life moments. And I was like, that is so crazy. ’cause I feel like that tagline can still kind of apply to, yeah.
[00:03:18] My work right now, even though I would say my work has totally come full circle in this 17 year journey, as most photographers find their way and figure out kind of what their niche is. But yeah, it’s come full circle. I, you know, got to a point where I was photographing everything under the sun. Yeah. And had all the different offerings on my website, and eventually you get to a point where.
[00:03:44] Hopefully through guidance of friends or mentors, you realize like, oh, I don’t need to photograph every, everything under the sun. I don’t need to photograph weddings and birthday parties and do all the things, which I’ve done all of those, and really figure out what [00:04:00] lights your heart on fire and what inspires you.
[00:04:02] So. I would say my businesses come full circle and I could honestly still say my tagline is real life moments. But yeah, my, my favorite thing ever in the whole world is to photograph families and newborns in their own comfort of their own homes. And it just inspires me and I love it.
[00:04:23] Lisa: I love that. Now, what is it about photographing them in their own homes, in their own space that you love the most?
[00:04:30] Kim: I feel like, and maybe it goes back to my childhood, my dad always took the photos in our family and it was just these everyday non pod documentary type moments and he actually kept up photo albums and we would, you know, they would be out, we would be looking at ’em and revisiting ’em. So I think part of it is that, but I, I really, my heart sings with families just being themselves.
[00:04:59] Yeah. [00:05:00] Being a parent, being a mom is really, really hard. Yeah. But it’s also very, very rewarding. And where most all of that happens is in their homes. Right. Yeah. So I love it on several levels. I get to know families and they’re more themselves, they’re more disarmed, and the kids are not performing as much as if we’re outside meeting on a mountaintop or something like that.
[00:05:23] Yeah. You know, their shoes off, their socks are off. They’re just being themselves. And I get to see a different, more intimate side of not only each child and personalities, but also their family dynamics together and how they live their life together. I also look at it as a time capsule of how that family is right in this moment, you know, because families evolve and change and kids grow up.
[00:05:47] So I really think it’s a special time to capture. That in a home, regardless of what the home looks like.
[00:05:54] Lisa: So I love that so much. It’s funny that you mentioned that because we’re when my parents were a fantastic bookkeeping photo [00:06:00] albums. Okay. I unfortunately am not, I take the photos, but I don’t print the photos.
[00:06:04] I know I should, but it’s like the, you know, the shoemaker’s kids don’t have shoes. Just like, it’s just like that. Right. But like, it’s funny ’cause I look back and I see pictures of my room when I was little. And just even it’s like one or two photos and just how special it is to be able to look back and go, oh my gosh, like there’s my dollhouse and there’s my like collection of my little ponies, or like the things that I loved when I was little to have that photographic representation.
[00:06:29] So I think that’s really cool. So do you find when you go in, it’s like getting to know the kids, getting to know their personalities and then they start showing off at their room? Because I swear every time I go to someone’s house, it’s like, miss Lisa, come see my room. And I love that so much.
[00:06:44] Kim: Yes, absolutely.
[00:06:46] I do too. And I actually talk about it in the course, I’m gonna be teaching the importance of a walkthrough.
[00:06:54] Yeah.
[00:06:54] Kim: On so many different levels. Not only getting to know the family better and the kids better, but it’s [00:07:00] also an icebreaker of sorts because kids get so excited to show you their room and you get to see the artwork on the walls or the toys that they play with, and it gives you clues to their personality and what they like, but also sparks more conversation and makes it feel even more true to them and customized for
[00:07:17] Lisa: them.
[00:07:17] I love that. I have a son who’s actually almost 16, so he’s in that like messy teen years. So do you find, I have too, you have like a different approach when it comes to going and doing in-home family sessions because it’s still an important time that needs to be documented for families, but I do find that that sort of.
[00:07:39] Area of life we don’t get, I, I find I don’t get as many inquiries for this phase of life versus the newborn or the baby, or like the little years. So what approach do you have when it comes to those, those middle years?
[00:07:54] Kim: I will say most of my work, like in-home work, is probably with the younger kids [00:08:00] because there does get to be that point where I have a 17-year-old, so I know exactly what you’re talking about.
[00:08:06] You know, they don’t really wanna be photographed anymore and certainly don’t want you in their rooms. Like they become more angsty and more private and things like that. So I will say that most of my kids that age or teens that age, we are doing like more quick mini sessions outside. So I find that the in-home sessions, at least for me and what I’m doing, work mostly with newborn on up to, like the, the model shoot I just did, uh, they were eight and 10 years old.
[00:08:34] Yeah, so getting on the cusp of like middle school age, but I don’t necessarily do it as much with the older kids. I think parents also at that point, you know, they want updated holiday cards and things like that, and then they start looking towards maybe, maybe doing some family photos mixed in with the senior photo session.
[00:08:52] Yes. And things like that. And those are typically outside or at favorite locations that they have?
[00:08:57] Lisa: Yeah. I love that it’s, uh, it’s [00:09:00] definitely interesting this phase of life with my teen and especially ’cause he grew up in front of the camera. Like he was the entire reason that I became a photographer. I just wanted to take amazing photos of him.
[00:09:11] And then it was sort of like, I guess when he was about eight, he didn’t want to be in front of the camera so much anymore. So it really changes your. Your why and and your purpose. I, I guess to continue. Yeah. Now you mentioned you’re really great at helping families feel at ease, so what is your secret for creating comfort that quickly?
[00:09:31] I think, well, this is
[00:09:32] Kim: what I’ve been told. I think it is. I have this goofy side to me too, which we just kind of talked about. I don’t even pick up my camera to start. I’m just fully present with the family. Leave any kind of. Ego issues at the door, you know, I’m just fully present for them without picking up my camera.
[00:09:54] And I just have a way of disarming them where they’re like, oh, you’re actually super goofy. [00:10:00] You’re making fun of yourself. You’re so much fun. And it allows them space to kind of take that initial deep breath. And especially, you know, if I get the, I always work to get the kids. Chilling with me first. And then typically that puts the parents at ease.
[00:10:14] ’cause they’re like, oh, you know, they’re always worried how their kids are gonna be during the shoot. Right. And that disarms the parents too. They’re like, okay, this is actually not so bad.
[00:10:24] Yeah. So
[00:10:24] Kim: I think it’s a combination of things also paired with that walkthrough, you know, where I’m just asking a lot of questions, I’m super curious and ask a lot of silly questions.
[00:10:33] It seems to work
[00:10:33] Lisa: pretty well for me. I love that. There’s been a few times where I’ve had, usually it’s, I, I’m an on-location out outdoor photographer mostly, and there’s been times where I just shoot through the meltdowns and those are actually some of the favorite photos of my clients. It’s just like they’re kid, like just full out tantrum on the ground and like everyone’s just looking at him like.
[00:10:57] Really, and those are the ones [00:11:00] that they love. And it’s so funny ’cause those are my favorite too. Like, I love these ridiculous, unexpected moments. I can tell by your personality. That’s something that you really like to pull out of your, your people too. It’s not the definitely everybody’s just pose. It’s like, what’s silly?
[00:11:14] What’s fun? So I love that.
[00:11:15] Kim: Totally. Yeah, see the true personality, the true dynamic, you know, and they’ll typically comment like, oh yeah, this, you know, this happens. You know? I’m so glad you documented that because this is like a, this is what she does or what he does. Yeah. Yeah. They love
[00:11:30] Lisa: that. And I think a lot of new photographers are a little bit scared of those moments and that they’re doing something wrong.
[00:11:38] Like they’ve, you know, if just a, a, a session goes sideways, they’ve failed somehow. I think that’s so empowering just to be like, okay, well well talk to your clients, shoot through it, see what you get. You know, worst case scenario, try again another day. I’m sure you, yeah. That’s your approach too. Yeah,
[00:11:53] Kim: for sure.
[00:11:53] And I think as the years have gone by just being confident enough to, not [00:12:00] only with the, like a lot of the pre-session stuff, like the client communication, letting ’em know what to expect. Like, Hey, kids are kids, right? Like, yeah. Controlling them is not gonna work. And so the, it’s kind of like a child-led photo session, but having the tools and confidence to be able to communicate that to your families so they know that if that comes up, it’s not a huge deal.
[00:12:22] We’re gonna work through it. And showing examples of your work shooting through that. It’s, I think it’s a learned thing, but everyone, everyone can learn it. It’s just kind of developing those skills. I love that. So you have
[00:12:34] Lisa: recently launched Photo Boss Framework, so can you maybe share a little bit about what it is and what inspired you to create it?
[00:12:42] Kim: Yes. Well, I’m so excited about it. So it’s a bit of a long story, but we had moved from Seattle to Idaho during Covid. Okay. And we rented a house and with the rental, we had to move out every single summer while we were building our own house, which was [00:13:00] crazy. So we moved eight times in four years. Oh my gosh.
[00:13:03] Building out. Gosh, it was totally nuts and at the same time, right, I’m moving my entire business. So I’m trying to build it up in Idaho where, you know, my kids are older so I don’t have access to the elementary school kids and things like that. So what I ended up doing for my business was working interstate.
[00:13:22] So I was going back and forth from Seattle to Idaho once things kind of opened up a little bit. Yeah. And. With all of my systems that I had in place, it was just really, really easy to just have online scheduling happen and I ended up, I looked at that first year. I’m still doing this right now, by the way, while I’m building up my Idaho business.
[00:13:43] But I worked eight weekends that entire year and made the same amount of money as I did, like when I was in Seattle. And I was like, whoa, there’s something to this. Like really, really getting specific, not only with your messaging and fostering those relationships with. Retaining your [00:14:00] customers. Yeah. But also having all the systems in place on the backend to Yeah.
[00:14:04] Essentially work less and make the same amount of money. And I was thinking, wow, this took me like 15 years to get like really, really specific about this and find a system that would work for me that I just felt like. There’s a lot of photographers that need help with this. I think a lot of newer photographers focus so much on the craft, which they should.
[00:14:28] Yeah, right. Yeah. They need to develop that to get really, really good photographs that families will want to buy sessions from them. But also at the same time, there’s a lot of work that needs to be done on the backend to develop these systems that will help them grow. Instead of waiting and getting so busy that they don’t have the systems in place, and then it’s just a hot, unorganized mass that either leads to burnout or mm-hmm.
[00:14:55] The business fails, right? Yeah. So I think they kind of need to go hand in hand, and [00:15:00] I think a lot of photographers don’t realize how much time they waste on certain tasks and activities. So I developed this because I’m super passionate about it, and I think it will just help a lot of photographers. And what it is, is a bunch of.
[00:15:14] Workflows and templates and systems. I’m a 17 hats ambassador. Oh, nice. So it’s a lot of, you know, like 30 photographer, family photographer, email templates. It’s just a lot of little things and it will grow that help photographers get kind of on track on the backend to help their businesses grow with them.
[00:15:36] I love
[00:15:36] Lisa: that. So I’m
[00:15:37] Kim: excited about it. I think
[00:15:37] Lisa: it’ll be great. Yeah, that’s awesome. Well, congratulations, you and we’ll definitely thank you. Include a link in our show notes so our listeners can go check that out. So I love that you talked about systems and it’s so funny ’cause I. Both love systems and love to break systems.
[00:15:52] Like I create these systems and then I’m like, okay, so here is the door. This is the only way that you could book a session with me. And then I’m like, oh, [00:16:00] actually, did you wanna message me on Facebook? Hmm. Oh yes. And then I’ll forget about it, and then I’ll be like, oh my gosh, I’m supposed to be, so we’re at seven o’clock today.
[00:16:07] Oh my gosh. Oh, no, no. It’s happened to me many times. So what’s one system or automation that you feel photographers should absolutely have in place?
[00:16:21] Kim: Oh my gosh. Um, so I just worked with a photographer on this. My answer to your question is like a client relationship management software. CRM system. So like I just mentioned, 17 hats or there’s dato and HoneyBook.
[00:16:36] I feel like a lot of photographers think you need to be at a certain level or have made it before you invest in something like that, but they can grow with you. Right? So I think, yeah. Having all of the, you know, the lead capture forms and the client communication and all of that, going through one system so you don’t miss things is extremely important.[00:17:00]
[00:17:00] This photographer I just worked with, I was like, how do you communicate to your, you know, your client? She had kind of stuff everywhere. She’s like, oh, sometimes text, sometimes email, and yeah, even when I was there helping her set up, she was like, oh, where’s that email? Like, she can’t find anything and she is getting busy enough where she just is.
[00:17:16] Missing things. She’s forgetting to respond. She can’t find the phone number. And A CRM is just a way to centralize all of that. And also your to-do lists, right? Yes. Like everything that goes into. Client touchpoints and the life of a photo session can be centralized in one spot, so the system can work for you, or the CRM software can work for you and help you keep track of all that.
[00:17:40] And also get it outta your brain, right? Yeah. Yeah. Because it clutters up the brain and then you’re so focused on finding all of these little missing. Pieces that you need that I think it can detract from you being fully focused on the photo session. Absolutely. Or your client experience or
[00:17:57] Lisa: your creativity.
[00:17:58] Yeah. You know, you end up getting, [00:18:00] yeah, I love to buy a new notebook. It’s like by, it’s like my favorite thing. It’s like everything will be fine if I get a new notebook and my husband, he’s like, um. So anytime you need a new notebook, you should just go look in your closet. That’s not the same. And some are so pretty.
[00:18:16] It’s just like having different notebooks, notebook. Exactly. Yeah.
[00:18:22] I love that. I love like automation and having those canned responses saves so much time. I remember like back in, I think it was like 2012 when I first discovered. The canned responses and started to input things into A CRM and how life-changing things could be and, and to be honest, that story I just shared.
[00:18:40] I now direct people only to, there’s one pipeline that they can get in. Mm-hmm. And so that meant turning off Instagram messaging access so that they get an auto response there. And same with Facebook messaging. I don’t, I actually turned it completely off, so. Mm-hmm. Everything is direct just to my email.
[00:18:56] So I was finding, I was wasting so much time [00:19:00] just answering questions in all the different places that. Right. Being able to put it in one spot just kept, kept things so much more organized. So if you’re out there and you’re doing that and you’re everywhere, that’s my little tip. Yes,
[00:19:13] Kim: that’s a really
[00:19:14] Lisa: good one.
[00:19:14] So beyond, beyond the Chaos, what are some common signs that a photographer needs to get better systems in place? Stat.
[00:19:23] Kim: I think if, if they are finding that they are typing the same emails over and over again and they don’t have them saved either in a draft on their email platform or in A CRM, if they are.
[00:19:36] Not managing their time well. Also meaning like staying up super late, editing if they are retyping quotes again, or even a simple email sharing location ideas. They’re retyping that every single time, or they’re just constantly looking for the same bits of information or answering the same types of questions.
[00:19:55] Yeah. Or missing things that are on their to-do list. Right. Yeah. It, it [00:20:00] just could be. If it’s taking up so much brain space that it’s detracting from you getting what you need to get done, then a CRM would help. Yeah, I for sure.
[00:20:11] Lisa: Yeah. Yeah. It’s, uh, it’s like the CRMs and, and even just canned responses, like, yeah, I, like, I forgot about those, and then I just remembered them.
[00:20:19] I was like, oh my gosh. Like there are things that I do on a daily, like just ones that aren’t even related to business that I often will, will do, and I’m just like. And response, Lisa, like, what are you doing? Right. Throw it in there. Exactly. I love it. So you have been balancing art and business for nearly two decades, so how do you keep the joy in your work?
[00:20:42] Oh
[00:20:43] Kim: wow. Gosh. I feel like photography is my true passion. I absolutely love it. And I think knowing. What makes your heart sing and finding that and fostering it and loving what you do, just [00:21:00] kind of perpetually refills my creative bucket. I said earlier that I kind of did all the photography things and then I came back to in-home and I, I love interior design.
[00:21:10] I love working with families, and I think it’s a great juxtaposition between. As a photography business owner, it’s kind of a solitary experience, and having the mixture of that with being social and working with families, getting to know them, what makes them tick, mixed with the challenge of shooting in home, but also the inspiration I get from working with the family.
[00:21:35] I feel like it’s a really collaborative process. I just get really inspired by that. And I, I will say it’s always changing and evolving, but that’s been, I think the common theme for me is just the, the social mixed with the challenge of working in a home and the interior design and plants and pets and just all those family dynamics that being a good [00:22:00] observer can see.
[00:22:01] My mom always joked, she said, Kim, when you were a baby, they’d have like friends come over and I. Was in one of those like walkers, you know, that had the wheels on it that they used to have. Yeah. And I would like walk over to these guests and I would just like sit in front of ’em and just kind of watch ’em.
[00:22:17] Yeah. And my mom’s like, man, you made ’em so uncomfortable. You just kept staring at ’em. So I don’t, I think I’m just a good observer too, and I just like pick up on things and that gives me inspiration. It’s so funny.
[00:22:29] Lisa: Oh, I love that. I love that. Now also being in business for nearly 20 years, you have been through all the phases of having a family and having a different container of how much you can take on and how much you can do.
[00:22:43] Have you found that there’s really been an ebb and flow of, you know, seasons that have, you’re just like overworked and it’s just too much and then, you know, drought seasons where you’re like, okay, where are the clients? Right? And how do you maintain, I guess, momentum or passion during those times? [00:23:00]
[00:23:00] Kim: So my husband, I actually first started my business ’cause my husband lost his job and we just had our second baby.
[00:23:07] Yeah. And I was just doing it as a hobbyist, like a total creative outlet for me. I’d always loved photography, loved photographing my own kids and friends’, kids, you know, like that. But I was like, you know what? I love this. I should just go for it. ’cause I don’t know what’s gonna happen. Like, you just never know.
[00:23:23] Why not? Go for it. But my husband travels a ton, so my business is different from other photographers’ businesses, probably in the fact that I was extremely protective of my time with my kids. Yeah, they didn’t go to daycare, you know, they were with me and I was also managing the whole house while my husband was gone, so I had to make it well worth my time to shoot a photo session.
[00:23:48] But I got to build a business that I wanted that would work for me and my family without stressing me out. Hmm. And so that has ebbed and flowed, you know, the kids get older, they go off to school and I, [00:24:00] it allowed me some more freedom. And, you know, meeting a lot of families when the kids are young, gives you kind of an instant pool of families that would wanna work with you.
[00:24:08] But I do on, on the flip side, I also remember feeling like that angst, you know, and the downtime after fall is over and then it comes to March or April and you’re like, oh, am I ever gonna book a session again? Right. This is freaking me out. And that it takes, it took me at least several years to get over that and just embrace that downtime and really focus on the other side of my business.
[00:24:33] Right. Yeah. And so that’s. That’s not as much of an issue anymore. And then I’m super excited in this phase with my daughter. She’s a freshman in college now. My son’s a junior, rising senior. He’ll be a senior next year, and this is the first year, like our house is done, we’re moved in and I am I, this whole year I’ve been able to fully dedicate like a hundred percent of my time to my work and I’m loving it.
[00:24:57] Like I, yeah, I feel like it’s almost a rebirth [00:25:00] and I’m super excited to teach other photographers and just kind of network and get in. Because it’s a great community, so yeah. Oh, it’s amazing. Yeah. I’m enjoying this phase of it as well. Like I don’t regret staying at home with them. No, because. You’ll never, ever, ever get that back.
[00:25:13] I remember feeling angsty about it. It’s like, oh, I’m not growing as fast as other photographers, but I also, it’s like I am, I am running the business the way I wanna run my business, and I absolutely love that. I can do both. I feel very blessed about that, so
[00:25:27] Lisa: I love that. In 2015, I decided I wasn’t gonna work weekends anymore, and that was a massive change for my family.
[00:25:35] Wow. Yeah, just taking my time back and mm-hmm. Realizing, I just, I didn’t realize how fast it was gonna go. I have a one, I have one son. It’s blown my mind how quickly the last, especially the last eight years. Even like pandemic, like since the pandemic, it’s been five years. What? Yes. Where did that go? What do they do?
[00:25:55] I know it’s endless. He just, I know he’s gone from like this little kid to like this. Teenager. [00:26:00] I know. Yeah. And then it just, it goes so fast. Yeah. And then I also take almost all of December from no, no clients in December. And I actually am starting to take July and August completely off. Those are our, our summer vacations.
[00:26:13] Yes. And so I just don’t shoot in July and August and I just pick up, pick it up in the other months and. It is what it is. That’s awesome. But I think that that’s awesome. A lot of the time we forget that we can make our own business rules. We don’t have to shoot because the client says that’s when they’re available.
[00:26:29] Right. And right. We take our power back and we say, no, this is when we’re available and if you’d like to work with me, these are my times. That’s it. Right? Absolutely. Yeah. Yes. Pretty empowering. A hundred percent. That was like one of the biggest light bulb moments for me, that I am in the driver’s seat of my business, not my client.
[00:26:48] Kim: Yes. I love that. And I think that’s a learning curve as well, right? Like when you’re first starting out, you’re just like taking everything, you can get everything because you’re just not sure and you’re afraid to say no. Like [00:27:00] there’s a bunch of things that go into it, but it’s very powerful. Absolutely.
[00:27:04] And it’s also better for you, right, to set those boundaries and there’s a whole other self-care component to it, right? Absolutely. But really focusing on like is it worth it to you? Yeah. To have time away from your family and your kids, you know? Yeah. If it is, then what times work for you in establishing those boundaries early on?
[00:27:25] Absolutely. As well as, as like, not answering emails in the middle of the night. Right. Or texting. Like, Nope. Just don’t always be available. Exactly. No other businesses are okay.
[00:27:34] Lisa: Right. I remember, it’s funny, I, I shared this recently on a podcast, or maybe it was one I just wrote, but it was, I had had a.
[00:27:41] Email inquiry that came at 9:00 PM and I was like, you know what? I’m going to bed. I have business hours. I’m not gonna respond until tomorrow morning. The morning rolls around, I respond. And the response that I got was, uh, you took too long. I’ve already booked with someone else.
[00:27:57] Mm.
[00:27:57] Lisa: And at first I felt like I was [00:28:00] devastated.
[00:28:00] I was like, oh gosh, I did, I’m a bad business person. I did something wrong. And I was like, actually, no. I dodged a bullet there. That is not someone who is, for me, that is someone who wants someone available 24 7 to them, and that is not, I’m not the photographer for that, so that’s cool.
[00:28:17] Kim: Yes.
[00:28:18] Lisa: Right. Yes. But I think, I love the time.
[00:28:20] Our first reaction as business owner is, is when we don’t please someone is that we’ve done something wrong and mm-hmm. Having boundaries is something that is so necessary in our businesses that we kind of forget about sometimes.
[00:28:33] Kim: Yeah, definitely. Yeah. Oh, I love
[00:28:35] Lisa: that. So what is a one mistake or lesson you made early in your career that ended up teaching you something invaluable?
[00:28:44] Kim: For me, and I think this is a common one, is just getting so mired down with the creative part of things like we are creatives. We take photographs, but not really paying attention to one, the amount [00:29:00] of time it is taking. And number two, like how much you’re charging? Yeah. Are two huge, huge things. Huge. And again, it’s something that’s learned, it’s something that you have to build confidence with.
[00:29:11] I think everyone kind of has to go through it, but as long as you, you know, even like try to keep track of time. Like how long, how late are you editing, how long, like besides the actual session, how long is it taking you to, from booking to delivering a gallery? Is this taking you. And really looking at that, just being curious, like even just document it down and then kind of go from there.
[00:29:37] But I think that’s a big one. I think
[00:29:39] Lisa: what’s interesting too is a lot of the times we don’t talk about the invisible mental load of time that we spend thinking about a session. And I noticed this for me when I had had a client and I had a family vacation booked for July, which was about two or three years ago, and it was a newborn session, so I didn’t know when this baby was going to arrive.[00:30:00]
[00:30:00] And how much space that took up in my brain of like, okay, when’s this gonna happen? When’s this baby begin? I’m checking in, da, da, da. And I spent so much time and energy thinking about this one session that I had said yes to, that I was like, that was certainly not worth it.
[00:30:18] Oh yeah, right.
[00:30:20] Lisa: It took me outta my vacation.
[00:30:21] It took me like, I was planning this for months and months, and I probably thought about it like at least four or five times a week. Oh yeah. Right? Like, yeah, yeah, yeah. And we don’t think about it. It’s just this invisible mental load of one. Yes, totally. Yes. Right? Yeah, yeah, yeah. That’s a really, yeah,
[00:30:39] Kim: so much so.
[00:30:40] Don’t
[00:30:40] Lisa: do that, guys. Don’t do that so much. Yeah. So what is the best piece of business advice you’ve ever been given?
[00:30:49] Kim: One really, really good one that I constantly think about, especially in this new phase of. Creating a bunch of new things is just [00:31:00] start Yeah. Like don’t, don’t be worried about everything being perfect.
[00:31:04] Yeah. Either for your shoot or for your website or for a blog post. Yeah. Whatever it is. Don’t worry about being perfect. Just like start. Starting is sometimes the hardest thing. Yes. You can always go back and like. Tweak things or even redo a session if you need to, right? Yeah. Like I actually had to redo a session before.
[00:31:26] Yep. It’s not fun, but Nope. Is what it’s, life happens. Yep. You know, it’s just, but I think perfectionism is a form of fear. Yeah. And a lot of people want everything to be perfect ’cause they want that control, or they’re just afraid of doing the thing. But if you can just go for it, just like get in the arena, just.
[00:31:46] Go start the thing, you will feel better and then you can learn and be curious and you’re gonna make mistakes also. So just be curious. Learn from the mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes, right? And it’s okay. We’re all human.
[00:31:58] Lisa: We’ve never Exactly, no one’s done [00:32:00] this
[00:32:00] Kim: before. Exactly. Totally. Yeah. So I think that is something I learned a long time ago that I still embrace daily.
[00:32:07] Right. With anything, it could be a, a new session, it could be. It could be anything. It’s just like, Hey, I’m doing my best. Yep. I’m just trying to get this done. Get off my plate. Don’t be afraid. That’s a natural thing too. Just embrace it, acknowledge it, and move forward. I love that.
[00:32:27] Lisa: Are you ready for our lightning round?
[00:32:29] Oh, sure. What is your favorite guilty pleasure snack during editing?
[00:32:34] Kim: So have you heard of those lilies, chocolate chips? No. They’re like healthy-ish chocolate chips, and I just get like the dark chocolate ones and I just have a few, like little morsels. I just like to either chew ’em fully or like suck on ’em, but I’m a, I’m a dark chocolate Yes.
[00:32:56] Fiend and I love that. I love that. And I like that they’re just small, so it’s not like eating a whole candy [00:33:00] bar or anything like
[00:33:00] Lisa: that. I love that. I keep chocolate at work in the freezer. Oh yeah. Ooh, the freezer. I love that. Yeah. I always call, especially like dark chocolate with mint is like my go-to.
[00:33:12] Yeah. I love it. So good. Now, if you could use only one lens for the next year, which one are you choosing?
[00:33:20] Kim: It has to be hands down. My contacts. It’s my medium format camera. So contact, it’s 45. It has an 80 millimeter 2.0 Zeiss lens on it, and it’s just, it is my go-to lens. It’s like what I use. All the time, and I, everything absolutely love it.
[00:33:35] The Boca is just amazing and it’s so pretty. I love that.
[00:33:39] Lisa: Yes. What is a weird or funny moment that happened during a session that you’ll never forget? So this one
[00:33:45] Kim: is kind of crazy. I was photographing a newborn family in their home. They had two Australian shepherds and I have pets and animals in a ton of my photo shoots.
[00:33:57] I think I’m drawing that kind of, [00:34:00] um, client and um. You know, Australian Shepherds are really, really smart and, uh. There was one of ’em in particular who I think he did not like when I put my big camera up and it was covering my face and my eyes, he did not like that at all. And he nipped me. Oh, he like my off.
[00:34:21] And they’re just like horrified. Like, I was like, whoa. And it wasn’t like a full on bite, but it was a nip. And I was like, wow. You know, I jumped and then the family, you know, they were just apologizing profusely and like horrified that that happened. But it was just like a little nick and I got a bandaid and they put the dogs away after that because he just, I think, was afraid that I was taking, you know, and I’m also in their space and they’re kind of protective dogs and they’re getting used to like this stranger being in their home and they’re getting used to this new baby, and he just was not having any of it.
[00:34:54] So that was kind of a shocker. I was glad it wasn’t my face or anything like that. [00:35:00] Yeah. But from now on. Or learning from that experience is just like, Hey, do your dogs, you know, how are they around stranger? I sort of ask more questions about their dogs, kind of qualifying them and also educating them.
[00:35:14] Like sometimes Mo, it’s mostly the more intelligent dogs do not, some of them don’t. Like if they can’t see you. Yeah. Interesting. So I definitely learned a lesson from that.
[00:35:24] Lisa: No kidding. That was pretty crazy. Ever got bit, I got bit by a toddler one time during a newborn session. Oh. Wow. He was not happy with me.
[00:35:31] Oh, wow. Yeah. Oh no. Came up and chomped my arm and you’re like, okay. Messenger gift hasn’t happened before. Yes. Now, if you could shoot any famous family alive or past, who would it be?
[00:35:50] Kim: I had to think about this for a second, but I would have to say, I don’t know if you’re a fan, but Chip and Joanna Gaines.
[00:35:57] Oh, yeah, yeah. Yeah. Because I mean, not [00:36:00] only are they the cutest couple ever, like I love their personalities, but I love her interior design and I love the fact that they, their kids are awesome and they live on this like little homestead farm with goats. I, I joke to my family that I wanted to get a goat, like when we moved.
[00:36:15] Yes. And that’s not happening ’cause our dog probably wouldn’t like that. But just like photograph them in their home. Just, just almost be a fly on the wall and just watch them all interacting together. But also the goat. And her interior design. I think it would just be a dream session. Oh, that’d
[00:36:29] Lisa: be so fun.
[00:36:31] I love that. Yeah. What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you? Well, I.
[00:36:37] Kim: I have a couple things. So I actually, in my previous life I had a have a, I have a master’s in physical therapy, believe it or not. I was in the healthcare field.
[00:36:47] Interesting.
[00:36:48] Kim: And I also worked for a blueprint company, and so I’ve had many, many different jobs before really leaning into what my overall passion was.
[00:36:58] So. That’s pretty [00:37:00] crazy.
[00:37:00] Lisa: Yeah. So you’re coming to teach for the online family retreat, so can you share maybe a little bit about what you’re gonna be teaching?
[00:37:10] Kim: I’m so excited. Again, thanks for the opportunity. I. So what I am teaching, it’s called Storytelling at Home, an in-home Lifestyle session workflow.
[00:37:20] So I actually just photographed the session last weekend. It was so fun. I can’t even wait. But um, I photographed a family in their tiny 1940s bungalow and she’s an artist, so it was a really fun there. She has like artwork up everywhere and super colorful walls and stuff like that. But what I am teaching is.
[00:37:40] The art of the walkthrough, right? Yeah. It’s like how to frame, how to create a good framework and make decisions on the fly during an in-home family shoe, starting with a walkthrough and coming up with a game plan of how you’re gonna photograph a family. So not only is it opposing workflow, [00:38:00] but it’s several different things kind of layered within doing an in-home family session.
[00:38:05] Awesome. I can’t wait. It’s gonna be awesome.
[00:38:07] Lisa: Love it, love it, love it. So where can our listeners learn more from you?
[00:38:12] Kim: Well, I’m creating that the Photo Boss Frameworks website, but it’s not ready yet, but they can go to my current website. It’s kim hildebrand.com/education. It’s kind of where they would find, I have a bunch of free resources up on there and there’s a little photo photo BOS framework.
[00:38:29] I better be able to say what, I only get photo BOS frameworks, blurb in there, as well as some of the courses I teach and that are also coming out. But that would be a helpful page for your
[00:38:40] Lisa: listeners. Perfect. Now I’d love to end my interviews just with this last question, and it is, what are you currently curious about or artistically curious about?
[00:38:50] Kim: So this. Might sound, well, no, it doesn’t sound weird. Two things. One is I am really leaning into AI and just learning what it [00:39:00] can do. Yeah. Right. To help me in my business as als, as well as help my students learn. I am looking into creating some more AI assistance to help with some of the courses I’m working on.
[00:39:14] And that’s been super fun, right? Like it’s always evolving and changing and I think it’s also kind of a creative endeavor, not. Photographically speaking, but just for brain stimulation. And then the other thing, I don’t know if you’ve heard of this, but it’s called Vibe Coding.
[00:39:28] Lisa: No.
[00:39:29] Kim: Have you heard of that?
[00:39:31] No. Tell me more. Well, I read about it on, I get Chase Jarvis newsletters. Oh yeah. You know, use the, and he was talking about it. So there are companies now that have kind of AI powered. Coding platforms. So as a non coder, I can go in there and say, Hey, can you make this thing for me? And it’ll start like literally writing out code for it.
[00:39:57] And it has been so fun because [00:40:00] I’ve had this idea for a long time to create an app for film photographers that will allow them to use their voice to journal film entries.
[00:40:10] Because
[00:40:11] Kim: learning film is super hard because you need to like stop and put your camera down and write down actually what you’re doing.
[00:40:17] Otherwise, it’s hard to learn. What you’re doing well, what mistakes you’re making. Yeah. So I went down this vibe coding rabbit hole, like, oh, this is so fun. And it shows me like a template and stuff like that. So that’s been super fun, like nerdy, brainy stuff. But I love nerdy brain stuff. Also creative at the
[00:40:33] Lisa: same time.
[00:40:34] Mm-hmm. It’s the best of both. I love that. Yes. I love that. I actually just, I, I, it was funny ’cause I found a prompt from, I think it was Samana actually. She’d posted on her Instagram and it was like this prompt to make you into like a. Action figure doll. And so I actually just did this. It’s hilarious.
[00:40:52] And yeah, I just posted it on my Instagram stories today, but it’s so fun. It’s just so fun. All the things you can do to [00:41:00] play all, but all the things that I AI can actually help you with too. Using it as a tool and not a replacement for you. I think that’s the definitely right is. Yes. Is using still, we still have critical thinking.
[00:41:12] Kim: Yes, for sure. We still have our lived experiences. Right, exactly. And our brain is the only one that works this way. So mixing the two is like, it’s a sweet spot. Neat, sweet spot, for sure. Yeah, I’m
[00:41:22] Lisa: very curious to
[00:41:23] Kim: see where it
[00:41:23] Lisa: goes. Well, Kim, thank you so much for joining me today. Thank you. It has been so fun.
[00:41:29] So fun. I appreciate it. Absolutely. Oh, my beautiful friends. I hope you have loved this conversation just as much as I have. I’m sending you so much of my light and my love today and every single day. We’ll see you next time.
