Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimberlin McKenna.
Hi Kimberlin, 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 journey has been a remarkable tale of resilience, determination, and passion. It all started in high school when I began dabbling in photography, capturing friends’ senior photos with the school’s borrowed camera. After a brief detour into cosmetology post-graduation, I quickly realized my heart was set on pursuing photography as a full-time career with no formal training; I immersed myself in the world of photography, relying on self-teaching through countless YouTube videos. A major plot twist occurred when my health took a serious hit, leading to an unexpected series of 10+ surgeries, including shaving my hair and brain surgery in 2019. Undeterred, I refused to let illness hinder my creativity, working both in the hospital and immediately upon release.
Determined to turn my dreams into reality, I established a photography studio in downtown Dallas, providing a space for fellow photographers to rent and create with the setups I meticulously designed. However, a setback arose when the building was sold, threatening to close the doors to my dream studio. Unwilling to accept defeat, I persevered through months of searching, ultimately finding a new space and reopening in October 2023.
In a surprising turn of events, a second opportunity presented itself—a chance to open a second studio in Downtown McKinney, Texas. Undaunted by challenges, I seized the moment, renovated the space, and officially opened the doors to Kimberlin Dawns Studios’ second location.
My story serves as a testament to the power of determination and the belief that, with hard work and persistence, dreams can be achieved. Kimberlin Dawns Studios now stands as a testament to your refusal to accept setbacks, offering not just one but two locations for photographers and creatives to bring their visions to life. My message is clear: don’t stop pursuing your dreams, as they will materialize if you put in the effort and refuse to give up.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
– Brain surgery
– Studio building selling
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
www.kimberlindawnphoto.com for photography
For studio rentals for other creatives.
I design my sets and build them myself in the studio by hand.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, my childhood was in sports, playing outside (Tom Boy), and anything that involved arts and crafts. My parents always knew I would be in business because I would set my room up ” for shop” as a store. I would put signs outside and in the hallway of the house as my bedroom was an open “bookstore” or ” toy store.” I also would set up fake photography sets / rip all the magazines apart, and Hang them on my walls.
I also wanted a cash register for Christmas because I liked to type and add up the money.
Later in high school, I did cosmetology school and loved making people feel beautiful.
Pricing:
- $75 hr to rent the photography studio
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kimberlindawnstudios.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/kimberlindawnstudios
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/kimberlindawnstudios
- Other: www.kimberlindawnphoto.com
Image Credits
Kimberlin Dawn Photography
