Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Topping.
Kelly, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
When I was a child, I knew that whatever I wanted to be when I grew up, I was going to be creative. I loved to write creative stories and always had a unique perspective of life around me. But, as I got older my peculiarness was less appealing to my peers and I found myself wanting acceptance over uniqueness. So, at a party in my jr. high year I decided to no get overlooked and partake in recreational drug use with my friends. My creative spirit began to die and the more I chased the high, the more I became lost. Any desire for my future was diminished as I could only focus on my next ticket to escape. I was an addict for over 12 years and it wasn’t until I learned the love of Jesus that the chains of addiction were broken off of me. In an instant, the spirit of love fell upon my heart and the desire of acceptance was fulfilled by the Father. I was consumed by the love of God and I wanted everyone to know. I began seeking the heart of God and my love for people began to stir. I started praying, asking for a love for people, for the community, just as He does.
Then one day a camera of my sisters was set in my hands and I winged a family photoshoot for a friend. My heart was set ablaze, and I fell in love with capturing the heart of others through a different perspective. It was like I could finally explain how I saw the world, I could create something magical through this lens and I wanted more. God began to stir up the creative gift He sown into me as a child and restored my ability to create. I feel the presence of God in every photo session I do, and with every shoot my desire to capture true emotion and love grows. God completely restored me, He restored my gift and gave me my life back. Not only that, He gave me something more, the desire to love people right where they are at.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
No great journey ever is, or it wouldn’t be worth it. The biggest struggle was finding my gift. I tried art school and perspective drawing did not come naturally to me. Although I struggled tremendously, I took away the skill of graphic design, which I would eventually use ten years later. After the Art Institute, I decided to go to cosmetology school and worked full time in the salon for a few years until my son was born. It wasn’t until after my son was born did I have an interest in photography, but I could not figure out that camera for nothing! So I put the camera down for over a year. It wasn’t until I prayed for the desire to love people did my camera settings finally make sense! Can you say alignment! He used it all for good! I fully believe all that salon time instilled in me the gift to speak to people, which plays a key part in portrait photography. My advice for other women would be, just go for it. Be bold and chase after the desires in your heart and do not be afraid of failure. Failure is the foundation of success!
What should we know about Kelly Topping Portraits? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I have only been in the photography business for a little over a year, but I am growing at rapid speed! Sometimes people feel that they are too old to start, but know this: God will restore that lost time and get you where you are supposed to be. I specialize in lifestyle portraits. Real people in real life is where my heart is. I want to capture the beauty in real moments. I am most proud of that, being able to show someone their true personality and how they are perfect just the way they are. Just as how God sees them. That sets me apart. I’m not ashamed of Jesus, in my church, my life and especially not in my business.
For good reason, society often focuses more on the problems rather than the opportunities that exist, because the problems need to be solved. However, we’d probably also benefit from looking for and recognizing the opportunities that women are better positioned to capitalize on. Have you discovered such opportunities?
Absolutely. Women in business and leadership is on the rise, we are stepping back into the game! People have a tendency to gravitate towards others like them, so with more and more women stepping up into leadership, the more it encourages other women to step up too. We are called for such a time as this.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kellytoppingportraits.pixieset.com/
- Email: kellytoppingportraits@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kellytoppingphotography/
- Facebook: @kellytoppingportraits
Image Credit:
Kelly Topping Portraits
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