Growing as a Beginner through Photo Challenges with Kimberly Irish

#563 Kimberly Irish is a community member and moderator of the
Beginner Photography Podcast Facebook group. Kim, based in
Wisconsin, shares her journey from picking up a camera out of
necessity to document her family’s life, to becoming a
sought-after photographer who now primarily shoots weddings. The
discussion explores the evolution of Kim’s skills, her approach
to learning both technical and creative aspects of photography,
and her philosophy on gear upgrades, creativity, and client
relationships. The episode is both an inspiring personal story
and a practical guide for beginners, emphasizing the importance
of consistent practice, embracing imperfections, and cultivating
one’s own style.


KEY TOPICS COVERED
Getting Started & Overcoming Beginner Struggles -
Kim’s entry into photography was motivated by wanting to capture
her children’s lives on a tight budget. She learned the basics,
especially the exposure triangle, before even getting her camera,
but struggled with focus and indoor low-light conditions. Key
takeaway: Embrace the learning curve, practice daily, and accept
imperfections like grain as part of the process.Gear Choices
& When to Upgrade - The discussion details Kim’s
decision-making process about purchasing her first prime lens, the
importance of buying gear to match specific needs, and the benefits
of buying used equipment. Takeaway: Don’t rush into expensive
upgrades—let real photographic needs drive your purchases, and
don’t shy away from secondhand gear.Creativity & Building a
Consistent Style - Kim talks about attempting to push her
creativity by using tools like the Daily Photo Challenge and
focusing on self-evaluation rather than external comparison. She
shares her methods for developing her style organically and offers
insight into the value of authenticity and daily practice.
Takeaway: Consistency, self-reflection, and deliberate
experimentation fuel creative growth.

DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONS
What challenges did you face when you started photography, and
how did you overcome them?How do you decide when it’s time for a
gear upgrade? What factors influence your choices?In what ways do
you push yourself creatively, and how do you avoid getting stuck
comparing your work to others?What are the benefits and challenges
of using themed photo challenges to accelerate your learning?

RESOURCES:
Visit Kimberly Irish's Website -
https://www.weeirishphotography.com/
Follow Kimberly Irish on Instagram -
https://www.instagram.com/weeirishphotography/


Learn What Camera Settings to Use in our free guide!
https://perfectcamerasettings.com/


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www.DeliverPhotos.com


Connect with Raymond!


Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at
https://beginnerphotopod.com/group

Get your Photo Questions Answered on the show -
https://beginnerphotopod.com/qa

Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet -
https://perfectcamerasettings.com/




Thanks for listening & keep shooting!