Push your Boundaries to increase your creative skills.

As a creative it's so important to challenge yourself.  Stepping out of the comfort zone can create new oppertunities and open new worlds.

Model Roxi Henrici and assistant Tina Frain enjoy a BTS iPhone capture at Kansas City Union Station.

Yesterday, we knew wedding dress portraits was the game theme. So we developed our makeup and hair plan and decided we would shoot a environmental  wedding portrait.  We headed into Kansas City seeking architectural eye-candy.  

  We knew Kansas City's Union Station would be one landing spot for a session. But, we also opted to do a additinal location.  We spotted the building that houses the Kansas City Ballet. And we stopped and set up a few images on the public sidewalk.  A few onlookers drove by with one stopping and a gentleman got out and approached us. 

I grabbed a few more shots knowing we were going to be scooted away soon.  But instead a opportunity arose.

The man was actually the owner of the building and he told us he was honored we chose his building to shoot in front of, because he "loved his building". We thanked him and made sure it was fine for us to be there and he continued on his way.

  Two minutes later he was back and motioned me over. I was a bit nervous as I approached. He smiled and said, to me that If I wanted I could take my team of model and assistant inside and shoot in the "chimney".  

   I was nervous, super nervous. I've been a photographer for a long time but have only recently decided to structure my skills into a profession. My heart was on overdrive a voice inside of my head blurted out "sure that's great!" . While another voice was screaming OMG! Are you crazy! 

  The owner said ok you guys have 20 minutes. I told the scaredy cat voice inside my head to shut the hell up. And grabbed my camera and gear and we flew inside that gorgeous building. 

  I set up my model got in place and my assistant placed light. And the dance began.  I found light, I controlled light and I grew as a Professional. We created magic I showed the model and my assistant our images as we created so they could see the mood we were creating.  We finished,  packed our gear and grabbed a elevator out of the "chimney" of the KC Ballet building. 

   We thanked the owner and exchanged emails so we could send him a image of his beloved building.  Later that evening as I culled through images I saw our shots and was so proud.  We had created magic!  I had driven a team   and had learned in doing so that pushing my limits was a great learning thing.  

Entrepreneurs, creatives must challenge themselves to do different things to grow thier crafts. It can be hard but if it isn't hard then your not challenging yourself and you will not grow your skill set. 

Pimentel Portfolio LLC is a Portrait Photography business. Our website can be seen at www.pimentelportfolio  

Instagram Pimentel Portfolio  

Kansas City Photographer on Entrepreneurship.

    Do what you love in life, and you'll love your life. Entrepreneurs often walk to the best of a different drum.  They live life facing challenges of career moves and often self doubt thier creative skills.

     People will doubt your ideals and question your paths at times. I still cringe when I think of someone telling me  " yeah someday that might be a business for you!", or things like " I've seen you do way better". Comments like these and self doubt can lead some entrepreneurs to kick their dreams to the wayside.  

    But at the end of my day running my Photography Portrait business I know two  definitive things:  

   1. It's my dream  

   2. It's what I love to do

and what it all boils down to in life is "what you create is a biproduct of who you are and your love to create. "

I feel lucky everyday to do what I do.  I meet interesting people learn about them and capture their energy in a portrait session. I couldn't ask for a better medium for my creative inner nature.

Pimentel Portfolio Studio creating a Look for a client.

We all walk through our lives placing markers on events that are meaningful to us.  Journeys we've been on good and trying. We all look back on memories. The thoughts we carry with us become postcards of the mind. 

When your lucky enough to be doing a Profession that you love, you soon realize how the pieces of the puzzle fit so well. When  your engaged in tasks that allow you to create and be in your element the workflow is rewarding instead of daunting.

Tether shooting a session for Male Model Jacoby of Kansas City.

Life does move so fast it's a challenge  to keep up the pace at times. But, I have realized that if you are involved in a career that you Love you will Love your Career.

     Nothing's ever perfect and it all takes work and commitment to the goal. But, heres my list of three pivotal steps, to increasing your life happiness ratio.

   First, find what you love to do. Really think about this. Some of us take decades to find this key. Try on many hats and explore.

  Build a a footpath to your goal. look at others journeys. Learn and research your ideals. Educate yourself as much as possible. The most beautiful of bridges have crumbled when the dreamer forgot to see the river nearby and how it flooded occasionally.

Surround yourself with a Army of associates, family and creatives. You need have to have sounding boards for your visions, in all facets. From the accountant, the banker, the lawyer the spouse the best friend all will become your extension into your new world, and all are necessary.

Entrepreneurs face difficulties daily when starting new ventures. I have made mistakes on my path, have doubted my art, my self. But defeating attitudes breed defeated ideals. I choose these days to wake up each morning and think of ideals and plans to make Pimentel Portfolio bigger and better.  For now it's my creative niche but someday I would love to help others pursue their dreams. Everyone deserves to see a dream come true. For me right now this path is a dream. I can't wait to see where it leads me.

Tips for A Smooth as Jazz Portrait Session

Ok, you have consulted with the team of Creatives. You have your date and time of shoot nailed down. Now what?

Here's a few tips to make the day of the shoot easier.

1. Discuss what you want in a image. Make sure you and your creative are on the same page as to what type of images you are wanting.  Sure the creative part will be in the interpretation and execution of the images, but have a open communication on the images and it you have questions call your creatives. 

2.  We will email you the week before your shoot finalizing the time and date as a reminder. Make sure you know what to expect how to get there what time the basics. 

3.  What to wear ? What to wear? Don't panic. First ask for suggestions. We suggest the following, wear solid colors , patterns can create issues and for colors darker color translate better but a pop of color can be greate. Try and bring 3 outfits so we can look discuss and create. If we are creating a set of looks we will suggest a casual look, a buisness casual and perhaps evening look. If you find you really are in need of a look you don't have I suggest having a personal shopper such as a service that Nordtrusms offers. Where a staff will put together a rack of looks for you based on your needs / wants. 

Preparing to feel like star ! Start practicing your autographs you are going to have fun and be treated like Brad Pitt and Anjie. Really in all honesty this will be your day we are sure for this. 

Contact me at 

Kimberly@KimberlyPimentel.com

Instagram at Pimentelportfolio

Website at www.pimentelportolio.com

Studio Shoot for Business Look

Today's Business Portrait Shoot with Kansas City Business Owner Dawn Hupp owner of Houndstooth Planning. 

When you decide to do your Business Portrait you want to make sure you choose a Photographer who can capture your personal style elements.  

Your Business Portrait is a Visual calling  card it's the first thing some of your clients will look at as they reference you.  

Kimberly Pimentel of Pimentel Portfolio shooting client images.

A few key things to do to ensure your shoot is top notch.  Talk with your photographer prior about wardrobe.  We suggest clients bring 3 outfits so we have a few options darker colors works best, but a pop of color here or there is a nice element for the eye. A contemporary piece of jewlery or your favorite watch or professional handwriting tool is always a plus.

Prior to your shoot ladies and gents a day at the nail Salon and a trip to your hair care Pro is a must.  Also get plenty of sleep before your shoot and hydrate and eat well. Photoshoots can be fun and should make you feel like a Star!

Cute ice breaker shot a before the shoot "No Paperazzi Please Pose!"

Contact us at Pimentel Portfolio to discuss your image campaign. 

Email at Kimberly@kimberlypimentel.com

Instagram at

PimentelPortfolio

http://pimentelportfolio.com/

Self Portrait

Rarely do I get in front of the Lens.

The Photographer poses. To understand the method experience all aspects of the Art.

Today I was setting up Lighting and set for model Amber Botros of Kansas City.

When my assistant Roxane Henrici offered to take my image in my set-up. I hesitated then agreed.  It's a good experience as a Photographer to do this, to let your guard down and see what it's all about. It's not a Easy thing to do at all, but with the right direction and the right support and expertise it's 

a Pretty cool experience. And when you see your  portrait and you know it captured you, in your element it rocks.  So, don't be afraid, go to a pro who knows how to capture you in your light. The right team can be amazing and I love my team of creatives. Thank you. 

I am Kimberly Pimentel and I am a Kansas City Photographer.

Imagine, look, live

Kansas City Photographer

We are Pimentel Portfolio and we specialize in Contemporary Portraits.

We are a unique duo of a Photographer and a Artistic Visionary. 

Kimberly Pimentel and Roxi Henrici of Pimentel Portfolio 

 Current  work can be seen at :

http://pimentelportfolio.com

contact us at (913) 687-1464 

email at: 

Kimberly@Kimberlypimentel.com

To set up your Portrait session 

Finding Peace with your Creativity

Have you ever heard someone say I wish I could tell my 15 year old self what a incredible journey my life would lead me too?  I guess we have all struggled and felt pain within ourselves as we built identies, with our  Art.  And each day I remind myself to find peace in my creativity.  And finding peace with your Creativity will allow your art to grow.

Postcards from Amsterdam turned into a Mobile in my Art space 

 But what is finding peace within your Creativity?  And how does one filter out all the other messages that cloud the reception of the creative mind?  These messages that I talk of are the ones that hold most Artist back from obtaining a satisfying life in which they utilize thier art to create income.

Postcard from the Van Goth museum that now floats from a modern wire Mobile I filled with cards from my trip to Amsterdam 

I find it amazing that some of the most successful people I admire have spent the least amount of time in College classes. Why is this? Is it because college has no courses aimed at Creativity awareness?

The Masters in the Rjiks Museum image by Kimberly Pimentel.

So perhaps these entrupaneurs that I admire have learned the lesson of creativity awareness on their own. I found for myself personally the most rewarding time spent in Collegeite courses was when I was studying with a agenda. And that agenda was to allow myself to learn to create. Allow yourself to create is a big statement it's vague and encompasses a inner chain of thought.

Rooftop 360 degree Bistro in Amsterdam image by Kimberly Pimentel 

Is it a day where the sun gently warms your arms is it when a sparrow lands next to you and you find comfort in the sound of its wings message? I think it's something different for everyone. Some people just haven't allowed themselves to find peace inside their heads yet. They struggle with the constraints of life, job,    Relationships and all things material.

Creatives must learn to engage freedom of thought to best utilize the combined strength of Art into entrepreneurship.

Breakfast before Museums Daam Square Amsterdam 

I am learning to let myself find peace within my Art. What I learned by this is just about everything out there in life reflects peace as long as I allow it to remind me  of the inherit message. And through this my Art has flourished and grows daily. 

Audio tour walking Holland 

As I was falling asleep my wife said to me " you know  they say in space there is no time." I responded sleepily what do you mean? She relied " people who space travel say the concept of time is a earthly conception."  I thought for a bit and then fell gently to sleep next to her knowing that all was well with the world and that in space time did not exist and I love that and I love the way she calms my head. Finding peace is allowing it to find you. 

Find peace  

cheers  

I am a Kansas City Portrait Photographer my name is Kimberly Pimentel and I create contemporary Portraits that capture a moment and create a lifetime piece of Art.

My website is at 

http://pimentelportfolio.com/

Altitude Attitude

One of the best ways to maintain and gear up my creativity is to expeience new things visually. Travel encompasses all the senses. Which in turn resparks my creative process.

"What do you remember the most from Germany ?" She asked 

"that coocoo bird ever morning at Cousin Iris's house "  every morning this solitary bird would beckon me to arise shake off my jetlag and go out and experience the Countryside. 

What will I experience next? What will I take back with me? A sight? A sound? A taste? A feeling? 

I love travel the flying the adrenaline the arriving to a new place. All the travel I have been fortunate to experience engages my mind and allows me to spark my creativity.

A quiet moment on a Palm Springs evening.

Discussing a upcoming shoot with my Creative director in the desert air last evening.  Allowing  our minds to engage  in some free thought ideals for our  client. We scramble down a few notes to the makeup artist. 

Then shoot the client a email engaging her ideals and letting her know we are constantly creating images for her shoot already in our creative process time. 

Every part of the creative process is gift to me I can engage a part of my mind and spirit and then transpire a image of that moment to my subject.

"Cool wind in my hair Warm  smell of a colitas rising up through the air " Hotel California The Eagles. 

A flowered vine on a wall in Palm Springs California 

As we exited the small plane into the turmac of the Palm Springs airport a stewardess said to us. " you were really having a great time I wanted to join you". 

We had been engaging in a creative moment a game we had made out of pantomime and word description where we each took a turn at describing her boring escape and safety spiel into a show.  You know life is short and every second I am humbled enough to laugh and enjoy it. 

Cheers!

I am a Kansas City Photographer, my name is Kimberly Pimentel 

and my website is  http://pimentelportfolio.com/

 and I am ready to create a magnificient portrait for you .

He had that Johnny Depp coolness

This guy pulls up to his shoot in his brand new BMW convertible. With a killer smile and I jus knew it was gonna be a cool cat kinda shoot.

Kelley Kemble Kansas City Model

We got him under the lights and I captured this look from him. It was like Lou Diamond Phillips and Johnny Depp posed for me in one day! 

Kimberly Pimentel Photographer 

Chandra Cheyenne Makeup 

Roxane Henrici  Creative Assisstant 

Creating a Unique Photographic Style

There are  many Photographers on today's Social media sites, as we all know. And just about everybody has a Aunt, cousin or neighbor who "shoots images".  I personally love that so many people are enjoying photography as a hobby. With so many in the market one must stand out to be seen.

Photographer Kimberly Pimentel, Model Mikaela Carson, Makeup Chandra Cheyenne, Artistic Direction Roxane Henrici 

In order to stand out with your portraiture in today's market you must have unique appeal. It takes much work to create a style that is not the mainstream. It's harder to fit the mainstream when your images are different and your style is unique. But to creatives there's is a big aestethic victory and satisfaction of knowing your "style" is unique.

Im by no means a expert in developing a style of images but I do know what I like  visually and what I have done  to tap into my creative flow and it may or may not work for you. But hey! It's worth a shot and if you grow to love Photography and creating as much as I do and start to see your creative self flourish then it was worth it to me to tell you these STEPS  I took to start allowing myself to DEVELOP A UNIQUE PHOTOGRAPHIC STYLE.   

1. Get acquainted with the Photographic community. Join a shoot  club. Get to know other photographers. It's helpful to have others as sounding  boards for the questions you may have about anything from lighting to copyright. And joining these groups where others are also developing as creatives helps you learn technique and perhaps question your own techniques. 

2.  CHALLENGE YOURSELF TO BE DIFFERENT.  That being said here's the kicker to the first item- learn to live out of the popular bubble. And here's why.  We all learn in patterns we learn to draw within the line,  cut a straight line ect ect. Challenge yourself to be different allow your inner weirdness to be boss.   Creatives think differently. We see things differently and it's ok to  BE DIFFERENT. It's ok to not have everyone love your images or even Like them.  For many years I leaned to hide my creative self afraid that when others would see my unique point of view I'd I'd .... what be less popular. Who cares? Be YOU. When you learn to embrace your unique eye you'll love the results and things will start to change. 

3. Enjoy and surround yourself with the Arts.  What do I mean by this go see a ballet ? Maybe, not your thing go listen to a symphony, umm read a classic. Go to the local museum. Just be in the Arts. When I found myself struggling to define personal style I hopped into a University Class at UNM in New Mexico where I was living at the time.   I went back to the basics building cameras out of paint cans, spending days in the darkroom. Through it all did I learn more about my style of photography? No,  but I had a professor who challenged me and didn't tell me "hey your images are great" instead he told me you need to pick up a canvas and paint,  your a painter inside." I scoffed no way. I'm a lefthander who scribbles illegibly. I can't paint. But years later I did just what he had told me.   I picked up canvas and paints and you know what happened? I set aside my camera and I painted. Furiously I threw paint everywhere. Thinking I'll show him! I'm no painter. But what happened is I discovered that I do love to paint. Why? because I have no preconceived issues in what I should be as a Painter. Instead I was just a ceator. I learned to let my style not over define me but I learned to jus let creativity be. So surround yourself with the arts, write prose, paint, learn flamenco dance do something to engage your creative Brain. 

So get out there and meet people engage in ideals. Learn to enjoy your creative self and not take it to personally when others do or don't enjoy your aesthetics. And enjoy doing things that will engage your brain.  Your art will prosper as you develop a unique aesthetic. 

Creative teams enhance your photo shoots.

There are many components that make a sucsessful Studio Shoot.  The equipment, the Lighting all the technical elements.  But to take your images to the next level you must have a creative team.

Makeup Artistry touches being added by Chandra Cheyenne 

It's important on many levels that your creative team be able to communicate effectively.  Makeup artist, Model, wardrobe and Artistic directors all have input. As creatives the struggle to bring to fruition ideals and concepts can seem daunting, but with a creative team you can let artistic ideals drive the momentum of your shoot.

Model Mikaela Carson, Miss Northwest 2016 is also a creator of amazing Headpieces as displayed.

I am  Kimberly Pimentel I am a Kansas City Photographer That loves to create beautiful images of people.  My current work can be seen at: 

http://pimentelportfolio.com/

Top 3 Things that go into a Portrait shoot by Kansas City Photographer Kimberly Pimentel

Clients ask me what's your concept for my shoot. This to a creative can be a loaded question.  First, it's my job as a professional to deliver what you request. But, what if you don't know what it is that you are looking for in a Portrait, it's my job as a creative to bring my creatvity to the table and give you a image that is unique to my eye. And pleasing to you.

Many things go into making your shoot a success. Pre-planning is cruicial and we consider concept as major factor.

1. Concept comes to me through many variables, I like to use vision palletes of color, sketches patterns anything that to me triggers that "look" I want for your portrait.  I find ideals in movies, music, actors, magazines books really anything that catches my eye.  

My vision book includes ads from fashion magazines  that have caught my eye - combined with your color pallete info to be used for makeup. And costume planning and any notes about you.  Concept planning is a way to strength the end product of your look.

2. The next thing wardrobe and hair and makeup.  When a vision leads us to a look we start thinking of you and transforming or enhancing your best features.   My creative assistant and I hunt down wardrobe at a variety of outlets including thrift, rental or your own closet. These costumes may change.   I'll ask you to bring 3 looks of your own.  Hair and makeup join in here to stlyize your look.  We love to get creative at a shoot and create the usual into the unusual.

3. Then comes the Mechanics of it all. The nuts and bolts so to speak of your shoot.  This can include lighting equipment, light meters, hand painted canvas backgrounds, camera and lenses computer to tether your shoot. 

And  then, when everything works just right we nail it!  We create for you a look that is unique and yours.  

Of course there are many, many other details that come into play when you choose to let a Professional Photographer create a portrait for you, we jus considered this a starting list of our top 3 Things that go into planning your Photoshoot.

Contact:

Kimberly Pimentel a Kansas City Photographer  at (913) 687-1464.  to set up your preliminary consult then we'll get to work creating for you.

First photo shoot of the year

My shoot with Roxane Carmen Petra Henrici. 

Kansas City Photographer Kimberly Pimentel

She told me

As we were driving from the Houston airport " I grew up in. Trailer park near by. You don't wanna see that." 

I love to create images, portraits, moments 

1-1-17

2016 was a great year for me. I'm kind of sad to see it leave.  I married my soulmate. I traveled to Europe photographing in Germany and  Holland. And I allowed myself to grow as a Photgrapher. Hiiiii- Hooooooo!

First session of 2017 

Fashion Photography Behind the Scenes Peek

I'm a Kansas City Photographer and can be contacted at:

http://kimberlypimentel.com

Assistant doing a light reading on a model

A lot of coordinating goes into one image. These behind the scene images to me share the concept of the shoot with the technical and artistic aspects.

Portraits of Men

I love creating solid images with impact and adding architectural detail, and a male model ups that ante.  For this Saturday's portrait I used male model Kelley Kimbley and Kansas City's Westbottoms to Create a set of male fashion images. I am Kimberly Pimentel a Photographer in Kansas City.  I can be contacted at:

http://kimberlypimentel.com

Model Kelley Kimbley

Kansae City Photographer Kimberly Pimentel  

While shooting men focus on creating strong jaw lines. Powerful angles in arms and leg position adds impact.

Contrasting boots added dimension to the background 

Create visual impact by engaging your model to the surroundings. A great place to shoot Kansas City's West Bottoms has the look.  I love shooting in Kansas City's diverse cityscapes.

I can be contacted at: 

http://kimberlypimentel.com

Former Ballerina and Flamenco dancer poses on a Sunday afternoon

Roxane Petra Carmen Henrici  is the daughter of German born parents, Bernd and Inge.   She has lived and loved dance her whole life. She tells me, as a child her first experience in the arts was a class in gymnastics and she excelled in this. 

But, it was Ballet that captured her soul. When you read her dance resume you wonder what can drive a young person to be so captured, so driven by an art form.  She danced in The Houston Opera for a season. Telling me that the stage was always a place of safety and expressionism for her.  

On this quiet Sunday afternoon her only audience was her rescue dog Uma.          Roxane has a stage presence that can give you chills. She is so fluid and expressive in her movements.

     Her dance schooling continued at Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan.   Her parents' hard blue collar ethics enabled her to attend this arts High School. They  knew that their daughter was an Artist and needed to be in this type of environment to develop her skills.

      Roxane has told  me being so young and away from family was hard, but a growth experience. While attending arts school she missed out on family trips back to Europe and many occasions and celebrations.  

     After highschool Roxane studied dance at the University of New Mexico earning a scholarship in Flamenco. 

"A Dame and her dog"- image by http://kimberlypimentel.com

On this  Sunday afternoon I captured this portrait of Roxane ballerina flamenco dancer and artist.  Always a dancer always a performer. Life is her stage and we are all her audience. Bravo Roxane bravo!

Images by Kimberly Pimentel a Kansas City Photography  

http://kimberlypimentel.com

Roxane and Una 

Achieving Different looks in one Portrait session

I am a Kansas City Photographer  Contact me at:

http://kimberlypimentel.com/ 

If your session is limited on time and the model has one set of wardrobe, you can still achieve different looks. To do this try the following: Have your client use different accessories, such as sunglasses or jewelry.

http://kimberlypimentel.com/

http://kimberlypimentel.com/

http://kimberlypimentel.com/

Another way to achieve a different look  is to use a different angle to shoot from. Though this may seem simple, most people forget to do this. The same pose can look completely different from a another angle; lighting and reflection can change the mood.

http://kimberlypimentel.com/

http://kimberlypimentel.com/

Creating Moods in your locations for your Photoshoot by http://kimberlypimentel.com/

I am a Kansas City Phorographer contact me at 

http://kimberlypimentel.com/

After you have decided where to shoot and who your subject will be then you must start your vision to create.  As a creative this can be a difficult thing to explain. For me the creating comes before a shoot. I will plan my images and how I want my final product to look but the real creating is a teamwork of model and photographer and light and mood.

http://kimberlypimentel.com/

http://kimberlypimentel.com/

How do we enable a creative mood on set? This can be a challange. As we all become absorbed with lighting, lenses and wardrobe. Sometimes the place we shoot becomes our mood. As in the above image Kansas City's West Bottoms. The Mood becomes almost a challange in the shooting. So how to stay focused and let mood become creative try these three tips on your next shoot. To create a artistic mood.

1.  Plan ahead and have your game plan and vision available for your model and. Assistants. You'll find that pre-planning frees up your creative mind space.  

2. Challange yourself to create images that are out of your comfort zone. This will surprise you and you'll find new ways to create.  

3. Trust your creative inner voice. It is never wrong. Learn to listen to it and you'll find your images and your creative Mood inspiring those you work with. 

Creating mood in your shoots is all about you. As a creative you must balance art technique and interpersonal skills.  No one becomes a expert at anything in one day. The expertise lies in realizing that everyday you shoot you develop and enable your creative side to flourish.

Get out there and Shoot! 

Cheers-  

Kimberly Pimentel. 

http://kimberlypimentel.com/