We’re looking forward to introducing you to Charis Kirchheimer. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Charis, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
When I’m in the middle of creating, time doesn’t just slip away, it vanishes. One minute I’m adjusting light or editing a frame, the next it’s somehow midnight and I’m wondering if I even ate dinner. That’s when I know it was good.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a photographer and visual artist chasing the moments where reality bends and the surreal slips in. My work spans portraiture, fashion, and fine art, each image layered with story and sharpened by unexpected details. Beyond the lens, I pour beeswax into slow-burning candles under the name Lumina Glow and curate a vintage shop built on the thrill of finding what others overlook. Whatever I create, I want it to pull people in, shift their perspective, and leave them wondering what else they might be missing.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a kid, I thought being quiet meant being invisible. I believed the loudest person in the room was the one who got heard, so I stayed in the background. Over time, I learned that you don’t have to raise your voice to make an impact. Presence, when it’s rooted in confidence and intention, speaks louder than noise ever could.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me patience in a way success never could. It forced me to sit with discomfort, to listen instead of react, and to rebuild without shortcuts. Success can make you believe you’ve figured it all out. Suffering strips away the illusion and shows you what’s real, what’s worth keeping, and who you actually are when the applause stops.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
They’d say I care about creating things that feel alive and leave a mark. They’d say I value honesty, beauty in all its forms, and the people who bring realness into my life. They’d probably also tell you I’ll never turn down great conversation, amazing food, or an adventure worth remembering.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope they say I left traces worth finding. That my work made people pause, look closer, and feel something real. That I lived on my own terms, followed my instincts, and poured myself into the people and projects that mattered. And maybe they’ll remember that even with all the mystery, I loved deeply and meant it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ck-photo.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chariskm
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chariskm/
- Twitter: https://x.com/chariskm
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chariskirchheimer/
Image Credits
All photos taken by me.
