A LITTLE BIT ABOUT US
Kim James is a Northern California fine art wedding and portrait photographer. In a world where everyone is a photographer, there really is no one quite like her. Ian and Kim have a hobby farm where they grow a good amount of their food, they have been married for decades, and have five grown children together. Ian is Kim's very best second shooter. They have been photographing weddings together for over a decade. Kim's expertise in honest emotional connection with her subjects gives her imagery palpable emotion. Her ability and ease at connecting with people is unparalleled. The joy and simplicity of the photographic experience she brings to her clients is a refreshing relief to them. Photographing real people, having real moments, a seasoned professional photographer with a fashion background who effortlessly guides her subjects to bring their best selves to her lense. Her photographic styles include Wedding Photography, Portrait Photography, Family Photography, Lifestyle Photography, Fine Art Black and White Photography, Boudoir Photography, Maternity Photography, and Nature Photography, covering Northern California including her home town of San Francisco, The Bay Area, San Jose, Lake Tahoe, Chico, Reno, Napa, Sonoma, Lake Almanor, Mendocino, Sacramento, Santa Cruz, Redding, Quincy, and beyond.
Kim is the best in the business. I have had the privilege of being in front of Kim's camera on multiple occasions, first for portraiture and after as the member of a wedding party. Kim has the ability to make anyone feel beautiful and at ease in any environment. She is kind, funny, and extremely talented. I will recommend her work over and over again! You are making the best decision for yourself and your event with hiring her. ~ Melia Poehlmann.
MORE OF THE BIO
Kim was born and raised in San Francisco. At 17 she started her modeling career with Elite New York and Elite Paris working as a fashion model. She worked with many photographers in New York, Paris and San Francisco.
While working in Paris, with Elite Paris, she was booked by Oliviero Toscani , (best known for his Benetton ads) for Esprit's Roman Holiday campaign. She also worked with the great Guy Bourdin in Paris. They ignited her love for the visual arts. Among others, she has been on the pages of French Vogue, French Elle, Seventeen magazine and Glamour magazine. Her time as a fashion model, traveling in Europe, exposed her to the vast landscapes of photography and art.
Back home in San Francisco, she went to work for Lisle Taaje at Taaje Models as an agent, which later became City Model Management City model (now City Model Management Inc.). The creative side of her career was model development; part of that process was to match her new models with reputable fashion photographers for portfolio development. Kim chose her team of photographers from San Francisco’s best. During that time she began her photography education. She stayed at City MM for eight years to run the Woman’s Model Management Board and New Faces Divisions. The 10 years she spent in the fashion industry set the foundation for Kim’s visual creative side. She had a successful career in the fashion industry, but soon realized the industry didn't posses the stability she wanted for her young family. She frequently flew to New York, Miami and LA with a nursing baby in tow to meet with a model or client.
It had always been her dream to raise her family in the mountains. That aspiration was met in 1993 when they transplanted their family to manage an Inn in Chester/Lake Almanor. Managing the upscale Inn helped make Kim a seasoned wedding planner and wedding photographer when she filled a niche that was missing in the local market. Kim moved on from The Inn in 2006 to open her own full-time professional photo and art studio.
REQUESTS
Before we decide to take on a new client, we always have a real in person conversation. Please pass on your number and the best time to connect with you. Thank you
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530-816-0431