We had the good fortune of connecting with Kim Robbins and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kim, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
At the most basic level, I believe that my job as a photographic artist can bring beauty into people’s lives. In the evolution of my career, first, as a fashion model, then as a make-up & hair artist/stylist, portrait photographer, and now as the artist. All of these pathways were about being creative, selling a product, helping and assisting others to be their best, directing and capturing great moments in peoples lives as a photo memory for their family, or for their job, and creating special pieces of art to hang in people’s homes or work environments that would bring an aesthetic to the space that would inspire them every day. I have been able to donate my talents and services to various organizations to raise funds for their cause. Some other things that stand out to me about my field are: I have been able to gift my work, help children to feel confident about being creative, help young teens learn new things about working in front of the camera, Teach people how to be more expressive or relaxed in front of the camera, engage with my community at the Pottery Barn and West Elm stores about Art and life. I really believe that Art and creativity can impact our culture for good (and for bad).

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a photographic artist with an abstract painter background. Most of my work starts with my camera, on location, then I download my work into a digital workspace where I use various tools and techniques for developing the images. One of the things that might set me apart from others is the path I took to get to this particular career. Starting with being a professional fashion model in Dallas, New York, and Europe, followed by becoming a make-up & Hair artist, and stylist for advertising, having a side business of painting large abstract canvas backdrops for fashion photoshoots, becoming a portrait & lifestyle photographer, and finally the photographic artist. Every layer had its own ‘hand’s on’ education that I believe helped me to arrive at where I am now. Some of the challenges involved a certain amount of rejection and often working alone. I have always been mainly a free-lancer. Constantly knocking on doors and going on interviews to show my work to see if I could get the job. Coming from Texas where we can drive more and then going to these other places that relied on traveling by foot or on public transportation, in some cases all day long from one end of Manhattan to the other to show my portfolio, or in Europe traveling between countries that all spoke different languages. In the midst of these things learning to keep my attitude and creative energy going. Taking risks, being flexible, and staying open to learning was important. I also learned a lot about people and grew in my appreciation for so many different cultures. It is humbling to travel to other cities and countries that have different customs and languages. We worked in Nepal which taught me about third-world life. As Americans, we have so much that perhaps we take for granted sometimes…clean water, sanitation, food supply. This career path has helped me to grow in gratitude for what I have. I would like for people to know that I have a sincere desire to make the world a better place….one person at a time…one Art piece at a time…one portrait session at a time….with my family and in my home….one day at a time…contributing to the needs of my community as I become aware of them. Closing thought: Knowing that change is a constant I want to keep my faith, love, and service to others a priority.

Any great local spots you’d like to shoutout?
I lived in Dallas for twenty years. Now we live in Fort Worth. In Fort Worth: 1. Sundance Square/ The Fountains/ Bass Hall 2. Mi Cocina’s downtown or Hulen/ walk after dinner 3. Bird Cafe Sunday Brunch 4. Northside/The stockyards shopping/ Adobe Gallery (Have some of my work there) Leddy’s, Maverick’s, Rios/ Joe T Garcias dinner in the garden 5. Museum District/ The Modern/ The Kimball/Amon Carter 6. 7th Street Area. Fireside Pies, LA Fitness (I swim there)/ Juice Junkies/ Righteous Foods 7. University Shopping Village/ Pottery Barn where I show my art/McKinnleys lunch and great bakery/ Dinner at Pacific Table 8. PS The Letter Gifts off Camp Bowie 9. Fort Worth Zoo (elephants and giraffe habitat)/ Flamingos Dallas: 1. The Omni Hotel They have local Art in the rooms and around the hotel. Nice rooftop pool area and view too 2. Downtown area/ Check out the SKYline of Dallas at night or daytime (for nice photo’s) 3. Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge/ Dinner on the other side/ Many to choose from/ Love the Mexican food restaurant (Beautiful Bridge for photo’s) 4. Bishop’s Art District 5. The Arboretum 6. Fair Park area/Cool installations 7. Work out LA Fitness 8. Mockingbird Station/West Elm store/ (Where I sometimes show my work).

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My shoutout goes to my husband Peter Robbins. Peter and I met when we were fifteen years old in Junior High. We dated ten years and then got married (for 38 years now). We became best friends in high school. The friendship has spoken volumes of support, love, encouragement, and mentorship over the years. Peter’s career began as a commercial photographer in Dallas when I was working through the Kim Dawson Agency as a model. We both worked in New York, and our first two years of marriage were spent working in Milan, Italy. Peter has continued to support and assist me as I have grown as a photographer and artist. In so many ways I am forever grateful to him!

Website: www.kimrobbinsphotography.com
Instagram: kimrobbins
Linkedin: Kim Robbins
Twitter: @kimrobbinsphoto
Facebook: Kim Robbins

Image Credits
@kent.barker My headshot @kimrobbins. all photographic Art images