Vanessa Kimbell Photographer

I've been looking at a magazine article full of my photography today.  It looks amazing ( .. even if I do say so myself) however for quite some time now I have been wondering what I am. I’ve never been one for a label and even in a former corporate life I resented the title of Director. 

However I have caught myself wondering recently am I a writer, a broadcaster (I work freelance for the BBC) a recipe developer, or a photographer?  I love all aspects of working with people and food. 

Now I have had the chance to have a good look a where my income has come from for the past year it quite surprised me to see that the largest source of my income, (because I am paid regularly for all the things listed above,) comes from my photography. I was then just as surprised when a friend who knows me well said that she had no idea that I'm a professional photographer.  I suppose that I am  .. I mean I'm paid for it I trained in photography.. but it rather took me by surprise that I might fit the title of photographer and I realised that I have been guilty of several things.  As a woman you are not supposed to say that you are good at something.  It's considered arrogant and unbecoming, and so despite being the mainstay of my income I down play it. As an English woman it's even worse.  English people wait for other people to pay them a compliment and then akwardly deny that whatever it is is all that whilst inwardly beaming in delight.  I was afraid to be given a label for fear of missing out on the other work I love so much. 

I’ve been a passionate photographer for about sixteen years and was sent on a long photography course when I was in my late twenties.  I have an eye I am told.  It’s a natural thing and I get a thrill from beautiful images.

I’ve been asked by several shoot location agencies to add my home to their portfolio and a couple of very well known magazines have also asked to feature the house too.  It is beautiful, although there is still so much that needs doing I feel that I am pretty close to adding the house on with an agency and that I am ready to formally say that I have decided what I enjoy and what I am good at along with the location, experience and equipment.

I’ve a stash of props, a fabulous naturally lit garden room that doubles as my studio, a beautiful house not very far from London and a kitchen perfect to prepare the food in.

So if you are going to write a recipe book, launch a new food product line, or if you are a baker, food producer, publisher, restaurateur, delicatessen, market stall holder, farmer, artisan food producer or indeed just need some food or lifestyle photographs I’m now officially available. 

If you read my blog or know me from twitter you’ll know I have a relaxed approach and the combination of experience food styling, props, and location make me a very reasonably priced option too.  I love working alongside food writers as they cook in my kitchen and seeing new ventures get off the ground really gives me a thrill. 

To get in touch email Recipes@VanessaKimbell.com