iPhone photos to prove I took four flights, met Pete Souza, and made it to Portugal.
Just a quick post to let you all know I made it to Portugal. I’ve already met a bunch of great people (hello Barb and Minda, my airport friends who were by my side cheering me on as I met Pete Souza). I haven’t left the airport yet but we are boarding the bus, making introductions, and I can already say this trip is going to be amazing!
I visited Pete Souza’s photo exhibition at the New Bedford Art Museum in April. Photo taken with my iPhone.
Yesterday on the blog, I said that if I could only take pictures of one thing for the rest of my life, I’d choose sports. And that’s true. Kind of.
A few years ago, my dream job belonged to Pete Souza. Souza was the Chief Official White House Photographer for President Barack Obama. During Obama’s last year in office, I almost sent a letter to Souza asking if I could shadow him for a few days. I decided against it - figuring he wouldn’t want a nearly 50 year old former journalist (as in, hasn’t worked in journalism for 20 years) following him around the White House. I was probably right. BUT, the universe still has a way of making things happen.
In December of 2018, I decided that 2019 would be, “The Year of Kim Kosmatka Photography”. I told my family. I told my friends. And then, right after Christmas, Pete Souza posted on his instagram page about hosting a photography tour of Portugal, which includes one-on-one mentoring sessions.
There goes that universe. I leave for Portugal tomorrow and can’t wait to share my photos and what I learn!
Women’s Soccer - College of St. Scholastica vs. UW-LaCrosse - August 30, 2019
Someone asked me recently, ”If you could only take pictures of one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?” To their surprise, I answered, “sports”. Now, I’m not what you would call a huge sports fan. I can’t spout stats and player names off the top of my head. But I do love the story of sports. The winning and the losing, sure, but also the working hard to get to the top, the fighting back from injury, and all of the other connections that form on and off the field.
I took this photo Friday at the College of St. Scholastica vs. UW LaCrosse women’s soccer game. A couple of months ago I reached out to the AAD for Communications at CSS and mentioned my interest in sports photography. Turns out, we both went to UW-Eau Claire (although many years separated us). He held on to my information, and called me when he needed photos. A connection was made, and I hope I’ll have more opportunities to work for CSS.
Turns out, sometimes all it takes is putting yourself out there. Say things out loud and make things happen.
A young elk cautiously crosses the river.
I was in Montana a couple of weeks ago, getting my youngest son settled into his new college apartment. We took a day to drive through Yellowstone National Park. Just minutes past the front entrance, we found a family of elk hanging out along the river. This little one did her very best to cross from the far side to the near, where the bigger elk were eating grasses. She fought hard against the current and made it to the other side, though she occasionally lost her footing and took a short float (no more than a couple feet) downstream. I love how she powered through, took her time, and stayed upright. You can learn a lot by spending time in nature.
My very first senior photo session in the fall of 2010 - photo by Alane Davis
When I made the decision to launch my photography business back in December, I’d already been working as a photographer for more than ten years. Five of those were “the volunteer years”, and the rest came when I finally asked to be paid.
Like many just starting out, I wondered if I was good enough to call myself a “real” photographer. There’s just so much to learn, and I certainly didn’t (and still don’t) know all there is to know.
What I do know, I love taking pictures, and I love showing my subjects the results of that work. From documenting an average day at school, to a 60th birthday celebration, to a college soccer game, my goal is to show you real life.
So, yes, I am a real photographer. Send me a message if you’d like to see your life in pictures!
*note - I’m new to this website thing - I created my first post inside a template. I deleted the original content, but the likes remain. And I like it that way.
