Today we’d like to introduce you to Kirsten Dowdy
Hi Kirsten, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My photography journey began in 2012 when I was still in high school and first got my hands on my very own camera. Back then, it was all about fun- my friends and I would dress up and explore the town, driving around to find the coolest backdrops for impromptu photo shoots. Those days sparked something in me, a love for capturing moments and a passion for photography that never left.
Fast forward to 2021, and life had changed a lot. I was a new mother, and while my world revolved around my son, I longed to do something for myself, something that made me feel creatively alive. Photography had always been apart of me, and I knew I wanted to make it more than just a hobby- I wanted to turn it into a career. That’s when Kirsten Dowdy Photography was born.
At first, I started with Christmas mini sessions, thinking I’d offer seasonal portraits to local families. What started small quickly grew into more- from couple sessions to being asked to photograph weddings. I never imagined that within a year, my passion project would turn into a business that I not only loved but could also build on my terms, balancing my role as a mother with my career.
One of the best parts of being `a photographer is the connections I make. I’m very much a people person, and I love meeting new clients, hearing their stories, and hanging out with them during sessions. It’s not just about the photos for me; it’s about capturing the essence of the people in front of the lens and forming genuine relationships along the way.
Outside of photography animals have always held a special place in my heart. I’ve been rescuing and fostering animals since I was a kid, much to the amusement ( and sometimes frustration) of my mom, who had to put up with the lost or injured animals I’d bring home. That love for animals followed me into adulthood. I started offering free photo sessions to local rescues and animal shelters, hoping that my images could help these animals find forever homes. Giving back in that way has been one of the most rewarding parts of my photography journey.
While I love all types of sessions, some of my all-time favorites are birth, fresh 48, and newborn shoots. There’s something incredibly powerful about capturing new life. Being there to document those moments, knowing how precious and fleeting they are, has been an honor and a joy. Those shoots remind me why I do what I do.
I have always been a country girl at heart. I grew up loving horses and begging my parents every day to drive me to the barn to ride. My mom has always called me her “free spirit” because I’m very much a barefoot, hat-on, no makeup kind of gal, and now my son, River, is the exact same way as his mama. This love for the country lifestyle led me to my most recent adventure: rodeo photography.
One day, I reached out to the Pasadena rodeo, sharing my work and expressing my interest in hoping to join the photography team. They happily invited me to join them and that week was one of the best weeks of my life! It completely transformed me as a photographer, challenging me in new ways and deepening my love for the craft. Now, I’ll be traveling to shoot more rodeos and hope to make it onto the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) team in Las Vegas the year.
Through it all, I give all the glory to God for blessing me with these talents and the opportunity to use them in such a meaningful way. It’s been a wild ride, full of challenges and triumphs, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I’m incredibly excited for what’s to come in my journey as a professional rodeo photographer.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It is not easy starting your own business from having to build your own clientele while still learning how to master your craft. There is also slow seasons in photography and learning to overcome those and still keep session’s consistent was a struggle!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about KIRSTEN DOWDY PHOTOGRAPHY?
I shoot any and every kind of photo session birth to weddings, but I specialize in rodeo photography. There is something about being on the dirt capturing the action that just sparks fire to my soul and really excites me!
Any big plans?
My future plans are to join the National Finals Rodeo team and Houston rodeo team. Those are my big goals for the upcoming year!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kirstendowdyphotography.mypixieset.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kirstendowdyphoto/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563528342570
Image Credits
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