Today we’d like to introduce you to Ken Kiefer.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’ve been around and in the water pretty much my entire life. Grew up surfing and swimming and progressed to lifeguarding and teaching scuba diving. I had always been interested in photography, but the challenge to show the beauty of the underwater world to friends and family is what drove me to work so hard at improving every aspect of it.
After years of honing my skills, I progressed to the point that Ikelite. One of the premiere and most well-known underwater housing manufacturers in the world, wanted to partner with me as we moved forward. This spurred my desire to focus exclusively on underwater imaging.
From the wild world of sharks and crocodiles to the gentle beauty of mermaid maternity, my goal is always to bring the creative visions from my mind to fruition in the form of eye-catching imagery.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Very few worthwhile things in life are without challenge. There are always struggles and obstacles to overcome. Good photography can be tough in general, but when you take it underwater the difficulty is magnified. Equipment issues, Mother Nature, clarity, movement, lighting etc. are always variables that must be managed. The technical nature of photography is definitely amplified when you take it underwater.
I’m very lucky to have my wife Kimber with me as my partner and assistant. She’s progressed from looking like a drowning victim to an elegant underwater model through hard work and dedication. Due to this journey, she’s amazing at helping clients with tips, ideas and demonstrations in preparation and posing. She’s an invaluable asset.
Adapting to changing conditions is a constant reality with this type of work. Being able to work through adverse weather, and bringing redundant equipment are just a few of the things that come from experience. Some of the best images we’ve created came during almost hurricane conditions 🙂
Please tell us a little more about Ken Kiefer Underwater Photography.
We specialize in anything underwater. Maternity / Seniors / Engagement / Trash the Dress / Swim Team / Modeling / Fashion / Sports / Wildlife / Bridal / Cosplay / you name it – we will try it underwater 😉
Nothing makes me more proud as an artist than when a client expresses their joy and amazement at the images that we were able to create together with teamwork.
We have a commitment to perfection and I’m unwilling to just get pictures, I am not satisfied until we are able to get THE SHOT. I’ve taken several hundred pictures to get an image just right. This is not just a job for me; it’s my life and passion and I put everything I have into making the best images possible.
I’ve had many people say to me that they were able to recognize one of my images immediately upon viewing it, and I love hearing that. It’s important to stand out and be distinctive with art. Style and dedication are cornerstones to our work.
We are looking forward to working with our Sponsors: Ikelite Underwater Imaging and Sherwood Scuba – as they promote conservation and protection for our underwater environment.
We are also very excited to be working with a local printer who embeds images on metal. We have used a group in California in the past and metal printing is an incredible way to display amazing images, but we are going to be able to work closely with this Houston company and make sure that all of our images come out with the perfection that we demand!!
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
One of my favorite childhood memories was going to the library. Coming home with a giant stack of books was always a highlight. I can still feel the joy of being able to explore new worlds and soak up new information. I was always drawn to sharks as a child. I was taught to be fearful of them, and had seen the movie Jaws – which terrified me at the time! – But, the more that I learned about them through reading and watching documentaries, the more that I became fascinated with them. Sharks are completely different from the man eating monsters you see on most television shows that are trying to get shock value out of them. They demand respect, as does any top predator, but they are incredible creatures that deserve our admiration, not our fear. Swimming and photographing sharks is one of the most amazing experiences of my life.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kenkiefer.com
- Phone: 713.805.0276
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @ken_kiefer_underwater
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KenKieferPhotography/
Image Credit:
Preston Smith, Kirsten Herrera, Kimber Kiefer, Cenaca Cyprian, Stormie and Davis Page, Brook Adams and Weston Piper, Xiomara Lopez, Brooklyn Castillo, Laura White
Kenneth Kiefer
April 24, 2017 at 11:16 pm
It is not surprising that Ken has become known for his exceptional photography. He has always worked hard to achieve the best results he could for any endeavor he undertook.
His mother and I will continue to be among his biggest fans, as we know he will never settle for being average. We look forward to watching the development of future endeavors by Ken and Kimber. Thank you for the beautiful article. Kenneth Kiefer.