Kirsten Lewis I Documentary Photographer

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Kirsten Lewis I  Documentary Photographer Kirsten is a photographer, educator & keynote speaker based in Denver, Colorado.

She's been featured on countless platforms including Creative Live, the Huffington Post, Rangefinder, The Photographer's Revolution, Just Curious Show, Musea and SLR Lounge. Kirsten and Greg are now based out of Denver, Colorado photographing mountain and destination weddings, Day In The Life sessions and editorial work throughout the US and beyond!

I have been quite open around my recent struggles with UNSUPERVISED, it’s a hard relationship between myself and the boo...
10/06/2025

I have been quite open around my recent struggles with UNSUPERVISED, it’s a hard relationship between myself and the book lately. Mainly the “making and funding” part of it has triggered every insecurity, fear and weakness I have. I just keep trying to focus on the WHY and believing that in the end sacrificing my health, my security and time with my family will be absolutely worth it.
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I received a message from my publicist last Thursday that the first big feature picked up was going to be in The Guardian. This is the 7th largest media outlet in the world, 86 million unique digital readers each month. It is the 2nd largest publication in the UK. While I should’ve initially been elated, my fear response was triggered and I was just overwhelmingly worried that I needed to be prepared for the possibility of criticism.
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I am happy to share that the majority of my own words and thoughts were used and my overall message is at the heart of this feature. While I would’ve preferred a more diverse selection of photos, more representational of the intentional balance in the book, I am genuinely pleased.
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I keep saying to my publisher, “This is a really disorienting, scary time in the world right now. It’s either absolutely the WORST time to release a book OR it’s a necessity to release it now.”

The most clear lesson I’ve learned after photographing families for 15 years is this, “All any human wants, fundamentally, is to love, be loved and have a safe place to do so.”

That’s it. That’s what we all want, from the time we are born until our last breath. It’s at the epicenter of why make friends, why we raise children, why we celebrate holidays and birthdays. It’s why we have non-profits and Disney and religion and culture. (Cont in comments)
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UPDATE:2 spots left.THE FINAL PUSH!Here it is. I have 3 spots open and they are FULL DONATIONS to my first book UNSUPERV...
03/06/2025

UPDATE:
2 spots left.

THE FINAL PUSH!

Here it is. I have 3 spots open and they are FULL DONATIONS to my first book UNSUPERVISED. My publisher is a non-profit and can provide you with a proof of support for tax purposes.

My Work:
http://www. kirstenlewisphoto.com
http://www.kirstenrebekahbethmann.com

Sessions include:
- My travel up to you, up to $350
- 8 hours of coverage per day (you can book a 2 day vacation session as well.)
- Online Gallery
- Next Day Delivery
- Collection Of Hi-Res Files Delivered Digitally
- 50 page/ 50 picture Album

You may use the session pretty much HOWEVER you would like.

BUSINESSES: I am opening this up to you for brand storytelling, marketing, advertising.

Full Day (8 hours) - $5000

2 Day Vacation - $8500

things to note:
- you will be responsible for my lodging (can be with you in your home) and my food/activities with you.

- if there is a SPECIFIC date you have in mind, reach out FIRST. Ie: weddings, mitzvahs, reunions…to ensure I’m available.

- you will be listed as a sponsor on my UNSUPERVISED site, app and social media. (unless you request not to)

- to secure one of the 2 remaining spots there a link in my bio!

THE FINAL PUSH!Here it is. I have 3 spots open and they are FULL DONATIONS to my first book UNSUPERVISED. My publisher i...
03/06/2025

THE FINAL PUSH!

Here it is. I have 3 spots open and they are FULL DONATIONS to my first book UNSUPERVISED. My publisher is a non-profit and can provide you with a proof of support for tax purposes.

My Work:
http://www. kirstenlewisphoto.com
http://www.kirstenrebekahbethmann.com

Sessions include:
- My travel up to you, up to $350
- 8 hours of coverage per day (you can book a 2 day vacation session as well.)
- Online Gallery
- Next Day Delivery
- Collection Of Hi-Res Files Delivered Digitally
- 50 page/ 50 picture Album

You may use the session pretty much HOWEVER you would like.

BUSINESSES: I am opening this up to you for brand storytelling, marketing, advertising.

Full Day (8 hours) - $5000
https://buy.stripe.com/7sY9AT65N8ruesqd0H4ko0u

2 Day Vacation - $8500
https://buy.stripe.com/dRm5kD8dVbDGbged0H4ko0v

things to note:
- you will be responsible for my lodging (can be with you in your home) and my food/activities with you.

- if there is a SPECIFIC date you have in mind, reach out FIRST. Ie: weddings, mitzvahs, reunions…to ensure I’m available.

- you will be listed as a sponsor on my UNSUPERVISED site, app and social media. (unless you request not to)

I have had a LOT of people privately reach out to share that they missed my Kickstarter for UNSUPERVISED. Check out my l...
30/05/2025

I have had a LOT of people privately reach out to share that they missed my Kickstarter for UNSUPERVISED. Check out my link in bio for grab one of the last 50 signed copies!
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The amount of support I have received so far has been really quite impossible to wrap my head around. I have a hard time accepting that so many people believe in this project let alone the countless families and individuals that have contributed to the book.
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The BEST part of this process has been BY FAR the photographing and writing part. The WORST part has been the “making it happen” experience that has honestly triggered all my deepest insecurities and fears, shortcomings and failures. I do want to start sharing my thoughts on this once I finalize my publishing bill.
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NOT including traveling for shoots beyond my commissions for 14 years, printing dummies, going to Istanbul to be on press, to NYC to meet with Daylight, SO MUCH INK, education, hiring a team to push this into the mainstream market, Kickstarter fulfillment, etc.
JUST TO DESIGN, EDIT, PRINT, SHIP AND DISTRIBUTE IS COSTING ME……..$70,000.
😳😳😳😳😳😳😳😳
I will share more but this has been the biggest risk I have ever taken and to be honest I’m terrified. I will not make a single penny on the book. Not a cent. Not directly anyhow. I still have hope that in the end, it’s all going to worth it. All the tears, the breakdowns, the paralysis, the therapy sessions, the failures.
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I need to pay my last bill and am going to be sharing a lot of ways in which folks can help round out this 15 year rollercoaster. First up! I have 50 signed copies left. That’s it. 50.

My European Friends,I waited a week to keep spaces open for the Family is Everything attendees before making this public...
26/02/2025

My European Friends,

I waited a week to keep spaces open for the Family is Everything attendees before making this public.

My 1 and only time I will be available for in-person instruction in Europe is coming up!

I am hosting a MASTERCLASS on March 3rd:
YOU BETTER WORK, a combination of instruction, group and independent workshopping.

&

An IN THE FIELD workshop on March 6th:
BACK SEAT DRIVER. With the use of some cool technology I will be seeing exactly what you are seeing through your camera and deliver guidance through headphone, from a completely different room! You will then get the opportunity to see me shoot and ask me questions as well.

I will be closing registration for both Saturday, March 1.

https://kirstenlewisphoto.com/rotterdam_learning

The definition of FAITH is:complete trust or confidence in someone or something.

If that is the agreed upon meaning the...
11/02/2025

The definition of FAITH is:
complete trust or confidence in someone or something.

If that is the agreed upon meaning then:
TAKING A LEAP OF FAITH
feels a tiny bit contradictory.

Right?

The Cambridge Dictionary defines the saying as “an act of believing something that is not easily believed:” So, as I understand it, taking a leap of faith is truly taking a chance after weighing the risk vs reward, accepting that the risk quite possibly will prevail. 

I have always found faith to be rather fascinating from early on. Even more so, there’s a bit of envy that lives inside of me when it comes to those whose faith in a God is absolute truth for them. I’ve never been one to argue on the issue, even Atheism is too much of a commitment for me, on something we just don’t have any proof of as humans. But for those with a strong Faith, like my Mormor, it must be so freeing to let go of the fear of death when there something much more powerful and beautiful waiting for you.

I tend to live by the Brit’s definition of LEAP OF FAITH and many times I have made the wrong choice and accepted the consequences. However as the years have passed I’m more cautious of risk. Perhaps it’s old age wisdom creeping in. Could be that I am growing more afraid of negative impact. It also may have to do with the fact that I am less naive and hopeful and the risks hit a lot harder now. 

✅Starting a photography business at age 24 was a leap that rewarded.

✅Leaving my full time teaching job to go into photo full time was a leap that rewarded..

✅Moving to the Outer Banks and build a family photo market was a leap that rewarded..

✅Quitting weddings, a $200k/year income, was a leap that rewarded.

✅Moving to Colorado was a leap that rewarded.

✅Doing Creative Live was a leap that rewarded.

🚩🚩🚩Insert at least 2 dozen risk impacts here that have hurt badly.🚩🚩🚩

is the first really bit leap since 2014. 10 years.

I’m terrified because ultimately the faith has nothing to do with the book, it’s about the trust I have in myself.

Here’s to blindly falling head-first hoping the waters warm.

11/02/2025

LAST DAY TO RESERVE YOUR SIGNED COPY OF UNSUPERVISED!!!

Use the link here:
http://kck.st/4hph1Pg

THE LAST CALL ALUM FEATUREJoosje Janssenhttps://joosjefotografie.nlI cannot say enough about Joosje! Her energy is magne...
23/06/2024

THE LAST CALL ALUM FEATURE
Joosje Janssen

https://joosjefotografie.nl

I cannot say enough about Joosje! Her energy is magnetic, vibrant, passionate. She makes your feel safe from the moment she enters your space and her work is the perfect example of that. It is clear her subjects can be their authentic selves when in front of her camera and because of that each one is very memorable.

LAST CALL ALUM FEATURESaskia AlbersPortray Your Story - Family photography and filmshttps://www.portrayyourstory.co.ukSa...
23/06/2024

LAST CALL ALUM FEATURE

Saskia Albers
Portray Your Story - Family photography and films
https://www.portrayyourstory.co.uk

Saskia was a TRUE delight to work with in London. She allows her work and life to be lead by curiosity and it shows. Her photos are whimsical, funny, honest and raw. At the same time there is a dreamlike quality to some of her work that reminds us to lean into our imaginations more every day.

THE LAST CALL ALUM FEATURE!Julieta MartinezIG - https://juliephotodoula.com/en/I LOVED working with Julieta in London. H...
23/06/2024

THE LAST CALL ALUM FEATURE!

Julieta Martinez
IG -
https://juliephotodoula.com/en/

I LOVED working with Julieta in London. Her work is such a beautiful reflection of her spirit. Effortlessly peaceful, beautiful and free. Her innate drive to connect with her more abstract point of view moving forward was really exciting to experience.

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