I’m finally back from a much needed 3 week break and getting around to summing up 2014 for Kira Derryberry Photography. It’s been a great year for KDP! This is the first time I’ve sat down and really added up all the amazing events of the year and frankly, it deserves a list. So here’s a rundown and a bunch of blurry Instagram photos because I’m a professional!
1. New, New Studio!
Four years ago, I was meeting with clients at Panera Bread. Three years ago, I was borrowing about 200 sq ft of office space at my friend Emily’s house. Two years ago, I moved into a 550 sq ft space in Midtown. In 2014 I moved into 1600 sq feet of legit studio and meeting space! Committing to this big of an upgrade was scary, but in the end, totally worth it. I’m loving getting to work with clients in both natural and studio light and having the space to move around and do it! I’ve also had the room to house some of the classes I’ve wanted to begin teaching. I’m looking forward to another year of creative projects in my favorite shooting spot.
2. Print Competition FTW!
While I had tried my hand at competing locally for a few years, 2014 marked a BIG year for me going all in and trying at state, regional, and national levels. To start, I came in 2nd and 3rd place over all at the Tallahassee Professional Photographers Guild’s (TPPG) annual salon. My competing in print competition locally also earned me Tallahassee Photographer of the year with the TPPG, an honor I also share with my friend Linda Long who tied with me for the title. Next came 4 merits including 1 First Place (Pet Category) at the Florida Professional Photographers (FPP) annual competition, 2 merits in Southeastern Professional Photographers Association annual competition (SEPPA), and finally 4 meriting images including 1 Loan Collection image in Professional Photographers of America (PPA) International Print Competition. If you are a photographer, then you know this is kind of a big deal! Competing is something I’ve figured out that I really enjoy and have made a part of my learning process.
Getting involved with my guild locally and then at state and national levels has introduced me to all kinds of photographers who I not only respect and admire, but who have educated me and critiqued my work for me to get it to the level it’s gotten to. (I’m talking to you Linda Long and Kevin Newsome, thank you so much!!!) I hope to continue competing this year and in years to come.
3. I’m Certifiable
I’ve been a proud member of the PPA since 2011, but this year I really started taking advantage of my membership with them. I decided I wanted to become a Certified Professional Photographer to up the quality of my own work as well as assure my clients that they are getting professional quality goods and services when they hire me. I studied up, took my exam in Atlanta as well as submitted my portfolio and passed in October! If you are interested in learning more certified professional photographers, check out PPA’s site and see the difference a professional photographer can make.
4. CoCA Wins
2014 was also a great year for me locally! I participated in and received Honoroble Mention in the Creative Tallahassee Show in April hosted by CoCA and then went on to receive Best in Show at the 2014 PhotoFest held at the Tallahassee ArtPort Gallery! The nice folks over at CoCA honored me once more with a lovely article about my fine art photography that I’ve been getting into lately. If you missed it in the Tallahassee Democrat you can still check it out here. This was really such an unexpected honor and I’m so excited to have become a member of CoCA in 2014 and to continue to participate in their shows!
5. Best of Tallahassee
Rounding off this list, I took home the Best of Tallahassee award for the second year running! I really can’t describe how cool it is to be voted on by Tallahassee Magazine readers as the best photographer in the city. I can’t say that I totally agree because I KNOW so many of the amazingly talented photographers in our big little town are always giving me a run for my money, but I am honored to hang onto this award for at least one more year! Thank you again, Tally!
And that’s it. I don’t know how I’m going to top such an epic year for the business and for me as an artist. 2015 has a lot to live up to, that’s for sure. Thank you so much to my family, my clients, my friends, and my growing list of supportive and talented photographer buddies. Can’t wait to see what’s in store next!