PHOTOGRAPHER KYLE KIRKWOOD

Education background (art school, photography class, self-taught)?

I went to Sheridan Art school located in The Greater Toronto Area and graduated with an Honors Bachelor of Photography and a Diploma in Creative Leadership and Problem Solving.

What is your signature style/artistic expression in your work?

I am a Beauty and Fashion photographer, with a goal to create timeless imagery with a contemporary approach to classic beauty.

What type of images or people do you like to shoot?

I love photographing people, whether that be entertainment, beauty, or fashion. I love all things related to people. I seek what I like to call “quiet moments” when shooting portraiture so I often find when photographing actors, it’s fun to experience the range of emotion they can bring to set. But my true love might be photographing beauty and cosmetics related images.

Do you prefer digital or film?

I prefer the convenience of digital and the advancements the digital age has made to allow photographers’ lives to be more efficient. Although there is a visual quality to film that I miss.

Do you have a career turning point or big break that has helped your career?

There have been multiple moments that have changed the trajectory of my career, choosing to pursue my passion for photography in post-secondary gave me the space to explore and learn in a safe setting to be challenged and stretched by peers and professors; to invest time and money into my portfolio so I could be proud of the body of work I market myself with. 

Secondly, was the time I sought out an internship in New York, learning and working alongside Greg Swales. That experience was packed with incredible lessons and opportunities and continues to have a large impact on how I approach my work.

Although regarding pivotal moments directly related to clients, I’d say shooting for MAC Cosmetics felt like a turning point.

Was there a memorable, scary or proud moment in your career?

I think every photographer can remember the feeling of holding a magazine with their work on the cover or inside the mag or their images on store shelves, those firsts were special to me. Seeing my work on billboards in Times Square and at Young and Dundas in Toronto and driving past a billboard on Sunset blvd. Those are proud memorable moments you cherish for a while. I hope I don’t lose the excitement of seeing my work printed in large scale “out in the wild”.

What is next for your career goals?

I want to continue to scale my productions and shoot larger campaigns and continue to align myself with luxury brands. I have big goals and aspirations and would love to see those dreams come true, although for now I’ll focus on the tasks in front of me that will help me elevate my work one step at a time. I don’t want to get too intimidated with my own dreams and look too far down the road, so for now I’ll focus year by year and maybe push myself to try my hand at directing on a few more jobs to branch out more into video work as well.

What advice would you give to someone starting out in your business?

Be patient and be persistent. Play the long game and build a network of people you respect and want to align with. Stay consistent with shooting and building passion projects into your schedule so you keep the passion alive. Many creatives work themselves so hard and we often fail to recognize that we can easily burn out with a very full schedule. We lose sight of why we started our careers. We need to find a healthy balance of work and play and fueling our love for our art with passion projects can help us stay clear on our goal.

Be consistent, be persistent, take time to rest and reinspire.

Instagram: @kylekirkwoodphoto

Website: www.kylekirkwoodphoto.com