Life & Work with Kelsey Blankenship of North Park

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelsey Blankenship .

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Coming from the Bay Area, I was surrounded by a lot of art and music. Although extracurricular was never my thing, art seemed to find its way to me in different ways. I had a lot of freedom growing up, my friends and I would make our way to catch a 6:00am train to San Francisco and explore the city until the last train ride back to San Jose. It was the alley ways full of murals, the violin street players, or the makeshift bands on the corner using trash can lids as drum bases. The city was alive, especially to a bunch of preteens coming from a San Jose suburbia in early 2009. My friends and I always had point and shoot cameras, always taking silly photos of each other. It wasn’t until I turned my camera around to my environment that I started to see a different world. Street photography became my thing. I got really into documenting my surroundings. I definitely went through the whole, “I’m gonna become a National Geographic photographer!!!”, phase, to be honest, I’m not sure it ever left. Before cars or uber we had to walk everywhere or take public transportation anytime we wanted to leave the city. My friends and I would wind up passing near some of the coolest art murals. Some, you only seeing a corner of until you find the courage in you to go deeper into the unknown. Urban exploration, I think that’s what it’s called now. Basically chasing art before it gets taken down or pained over. Little city art scavenger hunts, but underground. Big names like GATS, CCTV, Swampy, Girafa, etc. All these really cool underground graffiti artist.

This is what kept my artistry going. Also the fight for freedom of expression. This art scene definitely kept me taking photos, not of just the pieces but also the places you’d find these pieces in. Usually abandon homes or buildings. There was a lot of intrigue with participating in this and exploring the left overs of people’s lives. And the concept of having this decaying, dilapidated structure only to have this vibrant, powerful piece of art in the middle. That concept for sure kept me intrigued. And it continued to keep a camera in my hands during those turbulent years of adolescents.

Come 2014. I took my documentation photography to politics and protests. I began coming aware of the different systems and structures put in to suppress people of color and the lgbtq+ communities. I began to come aware of how money was burning a hole in our Earth and humans bulldozed their needs and wants to the top of the food chain. I tried to find my strengths as an advocator and found that photography was a way I could document these crucial moments of life and moments that our communities were facing. I continue to include photography in my advocacy. A quote that really kept me creating as an artist during these times of struggle was this perspective given by Nina Simone, “An artist’s duty, as far as I’m concerned, is to reflect the times. I think that is true of painters, sculptors, poets, musicians. As far as I’m concerned, it’s their choice, but I CHOOSE to reflect the times and situations in which I find myself. That, to me, is my duty. And at this crucial time in our lives, when everything is so desperate, when everyday is a matter of survival, I don’t think you can help but be involved. Young people, black and white, know this. That’s why they’re so involved in politics. We will shape and mold this country or it will not be molded and shaped at all anymore. So I don’t think you have a choice. How can you be an artist and NOT reflect the times? That to me is the definition of an artist.”

I have been an artist my entire life. I say this to a lot of people, but I do believe every single person on this planet is inherently an artist. I live my life as an artist. The way I perceive and approach life is always with art in mind. For a long time I did not call myself an artist. It actually wasn’t up until a couple years ago that I fully stepped into being the artist I am today.
I put photography down for a few years, but I got lucky, because I somehow picked up my camera again and never put it down. I’m grateful for that absence though. It’s an integral part of my relationship with photography. It makes me stay on my feet.

It was as if, it never left my palm. Right when I jumped back into it everything else aligned. From the first month, I always had photo gigs. After a few months I decided to quit my job and make a business out of it. Proud owner of KB Photography, located in San Diego, California. I knew at such a young age I was going to pursue photography and make my own business out of it. I felt it in my intuition but growing up where I grew up, art was stigmatized. San Jose fell into the pit hole of the Silicon Valley tech world. Along with all the surrounding cities. My high school defunded art and health before algebra or trigonometry. They pushed AP classes onto every student and expected only four year college enrollment.

When I think about all this, it becomes so full circle to me. As to why I landed where I did. I’m a firm believer that following your heart honors your truth. My truth became photography, but not even just that, but connection itself. To be able to document our connections to ourselves, our loved ones, our community, our world, our art, it’s a beautiful perspective to make a business out of. I’m a hybrid photographer, shooting both on my film and digital camera. And I specialize in candid, lifestyle, and portrait photography for individuals, couples, and families. I also work with community members and nonprofits, artists, and models. I still continue with my documentation and street photography. My newest interest is ocean photography, I’m hoping to get more in the water in 2022 and really just follow my heart when it comes to photography.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t been a terrible road. But honestly, I’m all about energetics. If it’s meant for you, nothing will get in your way. I’ve made sure to find balance in my work life and personal life. Working from home is something I’m definitely not used to. I grew up working in the restaurant and retail industry, usually no breaks or overtime pay. So sitting in the comfort of my own home and deprogramming my mind to what is acceptable for myself and my business has been a learning curve. But like with everything, it comes with practice. Being told at a young age that art isn’t a realistic career choice is something that doesn’t help with imposter syndrome. But with all the mental obstacles of fully accepting this path for myself, I am so eternally grateful for it. I’ve never been so close with myself and I have never believed in myself more than I do today with my business. No matter what it has encouraged me to step up to the plate and choose what I truly want out of this life. I wouldn’t change a thing.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a proud hybrid photography who shoots both on film and digital. There’s something about film that captures the essence of a moment. I love being able to capture my clients on both platforms and give them a dual experience. I currently specialize in candid, lifestyle, and portrait photography for individuals, couples, and families. I have a background in the nonprofit world and also work with nonprofits, community members, artists, and models. I still have a passion for documentation, street, and landscape photography. To order any of my prints you can purchase them through https://kbphotography8847.pixieset.com/prints/

Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
Just like anybody else, I learned a lot about myself, others, our communities, our government, our media through this past pandemic. The best thing I learned during covid-19 was to surrender when you need to and to have clear discernment.

Contact Info:

• Email: kbphotos.photography@gmai.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelsey.blankenship__photos/?hl=en

Image Credits:
Photo credits: Celestial Goddess Photo + Branding