This week’s ambassador spotlight shines a light on Kimi Coopet of Oh Hello Photo! Read on to find out more about Kimi, see some of her work, and find out which bluebird chic strap is her personal favorite!
Kimi Coopet is a coffee addict & photographer out of St. Paul, Minnesota. Her company Oh Hello! Photo specializes in family and child photography. Outside of her passion for photography she is a wife and mother to three kids. She loves to craft but isn’t sure she is nailing or failing her Pinterest finds. If she isn’t taking photos or crafting she is indulging in her love of junk food and watching comedies, all while snuggling one of her three dogs.
How long have you been a photographer?
It started out as just a hobby for me when I was younger. I took pictures of anything and everything. Over the years I have realized that out of all the things I have photographed I love families and mostly children. Their innocence and carefree spirit has completely changed the way I photograph things. I try to show that in my photos. I want my photos to show just how real kids are. They are gross, they are silly, they don’t care what they look like in front of the camera. They are so authentic and I love that so much. I also want to show the love that families have for each other. You will always hear me say at sessions “Get close like you like each other.” That always brings out the big smiles and the biggest hugs from the littlest people.
What is the best part of being a being a photographer?
The best part about being a photographer is being able to give something to someone that will last forever. Throughout history photographs have been extremely important in story telling. I am so grateful that I have been able to do that for hundreds of families over the years.
Which of your business achievements are you most proud of and why?
I have accomplished a lot in the many years I have been a photographer but my most recent achievement is probably one of my favorites. In the photography world there is a contest called Shoot and Share. It is the biggest photography contest in the world. I placed 4th and 12th in one of the 25 categories. That category had 13,502 photos. To say I was shocked at my placement would be an understatement. It is an incredible honor to be voted that high by my peers.
What advice do you have to other women who are thinking of starting their own businesses?
As someone who has been in business for a really long time I would tell someone who is thinking about starting a business to find other like minded people. Seek out people who you admire and ask them if they mentor. That education will be priceless and the experience will be life changing.
What type of camera do you own, and what role does it play in your life ?
I own a Nikon D3 which is the camera I shoot with the most, a Nikon D70, Nikon D300s and a Nikon D80. For me, I love that I have cameras of all levels. You gear doesn’t define you as a photographer and sometimes as photographers we forget that. We just want the newest and best that is out there. When I start to feel that way I grab my D80 (a camera that is 12 years old) and the lens that came with it and I spend the day shooting with only that camera. It’s a challenge but it’s a fun challenge. It’s a reminder that the camera doesn’t make the photographer. All of my cameras tell more than a story, my cameras are quite literally an extension of me. A camera is always within arms reach but most of the time on my body. It may as well be a 3rd arm. It’s an irreplaceable tool that I am using to leave behind my version of the life I lived.
What’s your favorite thing about your bluebird chic strap?
I picked a scarf style strap style because they always look so pretty and they are really comfortable. This style is SO me because it’s fun and warm. With the beginning of Spring here and summer around the corner I wanted something that had that tropical feel but classy at the same time. This strap embodies that perfectly.
Besides it being so stylish, this strap is very soft too. There are times I have it on me and I just run my fingers up and down the strap because it’s so soft. Really it’s like wearing a cloud around your neck. It makes my almost 3 pound camera feel like nothing.
***
Kimi’s ambassador pick, the all-new Tropical Gardens, is coming to our shops soon!
***
Thanks for sharing with us today Kimi and for supporting the bluebird chic brand!
Leave a Reply