#563 Kimberly Irish is a community member and moderator of the Beginner Photography Podcast Facebook group. Kim, based in Wisconsin, shares her journey from picking up a camera out of necessity to document her family’s life, to becoming a sought-after photographer who now primarily shoots weddings. The discussion explores the evolution of Kim’s skills, her approach to learning both technical and creative aspects of photography, and her philosophy on gear upgrades, creativity, and client relationships. The episode is both an inspiring personal story and a practical guide for beginners, emphasizing the importance of consistent practice, embracing imperfections, and cultivating one’s own style.

KEY TOPICS COVERED

Getting Started & Overcoming Beginner Struggles - Kim’s entry into photography was motivated by wanting to capture her children’s lives on a tight budget. She learned the basics, especially the exposure triangle, before even getting her camera, but struggled with focus and indoor low-light conditions. Key takeaway: Embrace the learning curve, practice daily, and accept imperfections like grain as part of the process.
Gear Choices & When to Upgrade - The discussion details Kim’s decision-making process about purchasing her first prime lens, the importance of buying gear to match specific needs, and the benefits of buying used equipment. Takeaway: Don’t rush into expensive upgrades—let real photographic needs drive your purchases, and don’t shy away from secondhand gear.
Creativity & Building a Consistent Style - Kim talks about attempting to push her creativity by using tools like the Daily Photo Challenge and focusing on self-evaluation rather than external comparison. She shares her methods for developing her style organically and offers insight into the value of authenticity and daily practice. Takeaway: Consistency, self-reflection, and deliberate experimentation fuel creative growth.

IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS & CONCEPTS

Exposure Triangle: The relationship between aperture, shutter speed, and ISO in determining an image’s exposure. Understanding this is foundational to gaining creative control in photography.
Double Exposure: A technique where two images are blended together, either in-camera or during post-processing, to create a single creative image. Kim aspires to master this technique authentically, emphasizing in-camera execution.

DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS

What challenges did you face when you started photography, and how did you overcome them?
How do you decide when it’s time for a gear upgrade? What factors influence your choices?
In what ways do you push yourself creatively, and how do you avoid getting stuck comparing your work to others?
What are the benefits and challenges of using themed photo challenges to accelerate your learning?

RESOURCES:
Visit Kimberly Irish's Website - https://www.weeirishphotography.com/

Download your free copy of
46 Creative Photo Ideas to Get You Out of a Rut
at https://creativeimageideas.com/

Connect with Raymond!

Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group
Get your Photo Questions Answered on the show - https://beginnerphotopod.com/qa
Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/

Thanks for listening & keep shooting!

Growing as a Beginner through Photo Challenges with Kimberly Irish

The Beginner Photography Podcast