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ARTIST OF THE MONTH - KEVIN LOWERY

Have you ever thought back how your photography career begun? I guess, everyone of you has his own unique story how all of this started. Kevin Lowery - our Artist of the Month in October - is a pianist and musician, who turned into a photographer. Read about his journey into the world of photography and enjoy his beautiful work.

How old are you and where are you from?

I am 28 years old, and I live in Atlanta, GA (USA). I grew up in a small, rural town in south Georgia.

Tell us a little bit about your life in the moment?

Right this moment, I’m DROWNING in wedding season. Anyone else feel the same way? Haha. My life is crazy chaotic right now, but I wouldn’t have it another way. I’m a father to an incredible curious and expressive toddler boy. He’s 22 months now. I’m a husband to middle school band teacher. He likes to give the impression of being the strong, silent type but he’s really just a big teddy bear.

We live in the suburbs of Atlanta where we’re really active with friends and family. My biggest daily struggle is always finding a good work/home balance, but things are going well. :)

How did you end up being a photographer?

I bought my first “real” camera - a Nikon D610 with the kit lens - because I wanted to take better pictures of my dogs, haha. This was back in 2013. That turned into a small pet photography business, but I got burned out shooting pets. It’s hard to keep making new, artistic images because mostly people who hire pet photographers aren’t looking for artistic portraits; they just want a beautiful image or two of their pet they can frame and put on the shelf. So, I started shooting people.

As I geared myself toward shooting weddings, I knew I would need a personal project to keep me from burning out. That’s when my Skin Like Dawn project was born. Skin Like Dawn is really what propelled my career in photography forward quite a bit quickly. Not many people shoot intimate male portraits like I do, so it was a quick way to get a lot of attention.

It’s really benefited my wedding and couples shooting too because it’s given me so many opportunities to find myself around other amazing photographers, like Lukas Piatek for instance.

Where do you see yourself in 20 years?

I have no idea where I see myself in 20 years, professionally at least. At that time, my husband and I will most likely be empty nesters and living somewhere amazing. I’m not sure what that will mean for my professional shooting career, but I do hope that it’ll still be going.

What gear are you currently using?

I now shoot primarily with a Nikon D750 and 35mm 1.4 and 85mm 1.4 primes. I also shoot with a 50mm Lensbaby that I LOVE.

What advice could you give out to a new starting photographer?

Shoot everything. Make whatever art you want to make. Don’t be bound by the box that the photography community as a whole will try to make you fit into. Be yourself, and never apologize for that.

Did the LLF community changed the way you see or shoot families/couples/weddings etc.?

Definitely. LOOKSLIKEFILM really changed everything for me when I went to the first Choo Choo Camp. That’s the first place I ever showed anyone my Skin Like Dawn Project, and it was the first time that anyone really gave me permission to make whatever I want to make. I think I found my voice as a photographer because of LLF.

What plans do you have for this year?

I have about a month left in crazy busy wedding season, but I have big plans for my Skin Like Dawn Project in the new year. I’m not going to reveal anything yet, but I think it’s going to break the mold for intimate portraits.

In 2018, I’m teaching at several workshops - Fight Together, UnRaveled, both Babetown (IDAHO and MAINE) Workshops, and hopefully a few more in the fall. I’m also going to be joining any buddy Anthony Thurston again to teach another UnCovered Boudoir Workshop. For 2018, we’re going to be bringing in several more teachers to include more topics and make it a full weekend gig. I’m really excited about it. :)