Finding my About Me
Tue, November 16, 2010 It took a long time for me to find an identity. About 35 years to be exact.
Let me back up a bit. You know when you were younger and some of your friends danced. Or played an instrument. Or maybe they are amazing writers or artists.
It seemed they had something that helped define who they are and where they were going to be in life.
My friend Lisa for example, even in her late 20's was dancing in performances. And to boot, she is a kick ass writer. I remember sitting at one of her shows and being is awe of her talent and her dedication because of the happiness dance brought to her life.
I never had an identity outside of being Kim. Quirky, not funny, corny Kim. Then something amazing happened. I became a wife and a Mom. And being just Kim was not enough anymore. I tried on a bunch of hobbies. I really tried to be a scrapbooker, but O.M.G.. who has the patience for that? Then I tried knitting.. Really? that is fun? Not for me.
And then Photography found me.
It is totally my husbands fault. I joke all the time that he purchased my first SLR as a gift, little did he know that it would unravel into a business and my continuing love for yummy lenses.
Photography has given me patience to wait. Wait for the shot. Wait for the moment. Yet, I laugh because I am still trying to find my patience when I ask my boys to hurry up and they decided they want to pretend they are stuck in slow motion mode. :)
I still can't believe it is me sometimes. When people ask what I do now, I say I am a photographer and it gets me each an every time. I get to live my dream that I didn't even know I had.
Once a person hears you are a photographer they always ask, how long have you been doing it and what kind of work do you do? When I tell them it has only been four years since my husband bought me my first SLR they look confused.
And I get that.
I would be confused too. Because like I said, most people have their hobbies already planned out when they are younger. I waited until I was 35, and I didn't even know I wanted it.
Yet now it consumes me. I am constantly learning and trying to push my limitations. Learning all about light is my biggest challenge. Anyone can learn how an SLR works. But introduce light, yummy, ever changing light and that is where I find the challenge and beauty in it all. Each friend, family or client I have ever worked with teaches me how light can change the look of any photo.
I guess what I am saying is that one day when my boys are old enough to understand I will be able to say take your time when finding your own "About Me" because you never know when it will happen, but once it finds you, you will know.
(my boys at the beach this past September)
Kim Pace Photography in November 2010, Random 
Reader Comments (9)
Love ya Kim!! You are amazing and a kick ass writer too!
I can't believe I've known you that long. I really can't! But I remember when you first were spreading your wings with the photog thing and it was incredible, no, it IS incredible to watch you grow each and every day with your shots, and the ways you give back. You are an awesome photographer, Kim, and you should be SO PROUD of yourself.
xo
I have an uncle (who married into the family) who's grandfather took up painting landscapes in 1950 - when he was 50 years old. He painted *amazing* scenes of Wisconsin farm life. He lived to be 102 and painted until his last days. Sounds to me like you found yourself early!
Congrats on finding what makes you happy!
Awesome! It's a gift a person just has. It's you not the camera! I'm 38 and just recently thought about using my passion to make a career. Not sure where it will go but it's a passion! :)
Thanks your share ! I like your blog
What a beautiful blog about finding your inner peace. Much love for you my quirky and multi-talented friend.
What a beautiful personal post. They are always my favorites. So glad that you finally feel a little bit more "complete". Photography is a beautiful thing, I love reading about other people's feelings for it. Makes me feel a little less alone in this consuming feel of love for photography :)
And how lucky are we that photography found you! Nothing is a better memory than a photograph and you give us beautiful ones.
you are still an instpiration to me with each photo that you share...they are always beautiful!
~K