Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Sparks.
Kelly, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
When I was 10 years old, my parents bought me an old film camera for Christmas, and that was really the first time I can remember being in love with photography. I started taking photos of my sister, and friends, and all of our pets; basically, anything that would stand still long enough for me to click the shutter button was fair game.
My passion for photography carried into my high school years where I began taking senior portraits for my friends. When it was my turn to graduate from our tiny private school in Flower Mound, I used all of my graduation money to purchase my first professional grade camera; a Canon 5D Mark II. I gradually started booking more shoots and experimenting with family photos, newborns, couples, and even the occasional wedding. I still loved photography, but knew I wanted more.
It wasn’t until 2014 that I dipped my toe into the world of fashion photography. I started shooting more one-on-one portraits that encouraged me to be creative and really allowed for my visions come to life. I used Instagram to promote my business and started marketing myself as a fashion photographer, shooting every day and constantly posting about my new work. This eventually led to a Dallas modeling agency contacting me to see if I would be interested in working with their models. Of course, I was thrilled (and very nervous), but jumped at the opportunity to grow my portfolio with professional models. Over the last two years my work has grown and given me the opportunity to meet and work with other talented creatives, be published in multiple magazines, and shoot for modeling agencies all over the country.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It took me almost a decade to figure out what my true passion was. I always knew I loved photography, and since high-school have been pursuing it as my career, but it certainly wasn’t an easy road to get to where I am now.
From 2008-2016, I always had to have a full-time job on top of building my photography business. I shot weddings on the weekends and managed to squeeze in some family sessions after my shift waiting tables. It was exhausting, and at times very defeating. I questioned if this was the right career for me and at one point even gave up photography for half a year. Knowing that I wanted to be a photographer, but not knowing what type of photography I wanted to pursue, kept me constantly changing my style and “expertise”. Almost 10 years of experimenting later and I finally know what drives me. I was very fortunate to be able to quit my job last year and work on my photography business full-time.
It has been a road of ups and downs, potholes, tears, and pitstops, but I wouldn’t be the person that I am today without it.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
My business is based in Denton, TX and specializes in portraits and fashion photography. I adore shooting outside with natural light, as well as in my new home studio. I strive to capture raw emotion in my photos and would pick natural movements over posing any day.
I pride myself on being resourceful and able to take a beautiful photo in any location or environment. I love grabbing a cup of coffee with my client and just walking around during our shoot, stopping to shoot when the timing and lighting feels right. I spend time getting to know each of my models on a personal level, which I believe encourages an air of confidence, trust, and mutual understanding of the shoot vision.
What were you like growing up?
I grew up in Justin, Texas and was always a very adventurous child. We had goats, chickens, dogs, cats, hamsters, and even turkeys at one point; so there was always something to keep me busy. I loved being outdoors, getting dirty, and pretty much embodied the term “tom-boy”. Singing and playing with animals were my biggest passions back then – and while I didn’t become the famous country-western singer I originally wanted to become – my love of animals and being surrounded by nature have stayed with me to this day.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kellysparks.co
- Phone: 940-390-6972
- Email: hello@kellysparks.co
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breafkast/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KellySparksPhotography/
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRmVrFuuTLLnPv7GMiZg69A
Image Credit:
Cassidy Jayroe
Peace Lee
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