June 25, 2025 • 20 mins
How can a camera become a mirror for the soul? In this inspiring episode, I chat with Kimberly Witort—a seasoned photographer whose lens has captured not just faces, but entire journeys of transformation.
With over 20 years of experience, Kimberly is renowned for her headshots, personal branding, high school seniors, family portraits, and her signature “As You Are” sessions. But her story goes far beyond the frame. After leaving a successful corporate career to follow her passion for photography, Kimberly’s world was turned upside down by the pandemic and personal upheaval. A cross-country move to Arizona became the catalyst for self-discovery, healing, and a renewed sense of purpose.
Kimberly shares how photography became her anchor through heartbreak and change, helping her—and countless others—rediscover their truest selves. Her approach is raw, honest, and deeply human: no glam, no pretense, just pure authenticity. Today, Kimberly’s mission is to create a safe space where people feel truly seen, using her camera as a tool to hold space, show love, and reflect light.
Tune in as Kimberly summarizes her incredible journey and reveals how photography can help anyone reconnect with who they are. Whether you’re a creative, a seeker, or simply someone looking for inspiration, this conversation will remind you of the power of being seen—just as you are.
Connect with Kimberly Witort:
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Theresa Cesare (00:06):
Welcome to Heart to Talk the podcast.
I am the host and creatorTheresa Cesare My intention for
this podcast is to deliver toyou wisdom, inspiration, and
consciousness.
Through solo episodes andconversations amongst insightful
people.
It is my greatest honor to bringto you talks that come from the.
(00:31):
Welcome, amazing listeners.
Today I have the absolutepleasure of welcoming an
extraordinary soul and talentedartist, Kimberly Witwort.
Kimberly is a seasonedphotographer with over 20 years
of experience specializing inheadshots, personal branding,
high school seniors, families,and her signature as you are
(00:54):
Sessions, photography has beenthe constant in her life and
intimate companion throughheartbreaks transformation and
healing.
Today.
She offers deeply human andhonest sessions that focus on
capturing people exactly as theyare.
No glam, no pretense, justtruth.
(01:14):
Through this work, she has notonly rebuilt her business, but
also rediscovered herself.
Her mission is simple, yetpowerful, to create a space
where others feel safe enough tobe seen, truly seen friends, I
am so excited to bring to you myconversation with Kimberly
Witwort Girl, I would love foryou to literally just go in and
(01:42):
tell this audience about you.
Your story, how did you become aphotographer?
Oh gosh.
Yeah.
Woo.
Okay.
I've been a photographer forover 20 years now, but through
the majority of that I was incorporate America.
I worked for State Farm for 17years, and so I always did it on
the side.
But I started out because I drewpeople, I would take photos or
(02:02):
magazine photos of people and Iwould draw people from the
photos but I just was like.
I really wanna just this isinstant gratification, being
able to photograph someoneversus drawing someone.
Right.
And so I just startedphotographing my friend's kids
and kind of the same as mostphotographers.
And then you like photographbabies and then you photograph
(02:23):
weddings and then you do this,and then I've done it all.
I've done weddings, I've donethe newborns, I've done pets,
and people are my specialty.
It just grew from there.
It just was like kind of anobsession.
And I, self-taught throughYouTube and trial and error but
I've put my camera down severaltimes because of life, events,
breakups and things like movingand, restarting my life over.
(02:46):
And it's been different eachtime that I've re, entered the
world of photography.
And this time was definitely,was kind of a begrudging
process.
I moved here after a divorce.
A really painful divorce.
I just wanted to leaveeverything behind.
My parents had moved hereshortly before me, so I had, you
(03:09):
know, my parents to kind of softplace to land and I'm so
grateful for that.
So I was able to take time offand walk in the desert and dance
in fricking the monsoon seasonand like, which was amazing.
And so.
But then, real life kicks inand, I'm like, okay, what kind
of life am I gonna create?
(03:29):
The last thing I wanna do wasphotography.
I just was so burnt outemotionally.
I just wanted a nine to fivewhere I could just go to work
and just.
Come home I learned how to dostained glass in that whole time
and I was like, I just wannacome home, do stained glass and
tinker around with my plants.
But I just wasn't gonna be ableto do it financially, like long
(03:50):
term.
And so photography was my bestbet for financial stability and
success and growth.
And, and I say begrudginglybecause I just, I was very.
Emotionally burnt out.
And so it was a thought ofpicking up the camera.
'cause it's a very personalthing to photograph people.
And, but once again, photographycoming in and being honestly my
(04:14):
longest term intimaterelationship.
Like, we're back.
Fine.
We'll get back together.
We're back together.
And so I thought, okay, I'lljust, I'll just join some
networking groups and meetpeople.
'cause I didn't know anybody.
And so I just kind of started,tried to pick up where I left
off in Washington with mybusiness, but I hadn't really
(04:36):
picked up a camera in probablytwo years and so it was very
foreign.
I was super rusty.
I felt like I had to relearneverything, but I was like,
okay, I'm just gonna try andpick up where I left off and see
what happens.
So I was really just winging it.
I just was like, I'm just gonnado this, photography again, it's
like the hand pushing me.
(04:57):
And so,, meeting people andlearning to trust people again
and trust myself again, likethat was the biggest thing.
Like when do you say no?
Is this no a real no or am Ijust No, because I'm scared and
I don't wanna do something.
Right.
It's like, same with a yes.
Like you want it to be a realYes.
Not just because you wannaplease somebody.
Yeah.
So learning that again, and Ifeel like I'm finally kind of
(05:20):
getting to a much more groundedand.
Confident place again, feeling alittle bit more like myself.
But, I used to do like a fullkind of magazine type experience
where they come in, they gettheir hair and makeup done, like
fancy clothes.
And it just wasn't feeling likeme anymore.
(05:41):
It just didn't feel right.
And years ago I had dreamtabout, I was like, gosh, it
would be really cool just toshoot everything in black and
white.
Like, I just loved that idea,but I was just like, that's
crazy.
No one's gonna want that.
You know?
And I.
I just happened to stumble upona little, workshop with this
(06:01):
photographer and she was doingsessions that she called as you
are Sessions and they're all inblack and white.
And I was like.
Oh my God, this is exactly whatI wanted to do before.
Like this is, yes, this is asign.
Like I have to follow this, Ihave to just see what's gonna
happen with this.
So I end up reaching out tosomebody and that I thought
(06:21):
would be amazing in theexperience and love the
experience, just to try it outand just see how it felt.
And then I had a videographercome in and take some video of
it, and it was.
Life changing.
It was so easy.
First of all, it just flowed andthe images were, oh my gosh, I
squeal a lot when I get, yeah.
(06:42):
Oh, I get a picture that I love.
Whole session I was amazing.
And then after we looked at theimages together and everyone
left, I started sobbing.
I was just like crying because Iwas like, oh my gosh, this is
exactly what I've been needing.
And it just lit me up in a waythat I thought I couldn't feel
again.
I thought I'd lost that.
And so I've just been workingon, having more people come in
(07:04):
and do it because at first whenI tell people about it.
The people are nervous.
Like they don't Yeah.
They're like, what?
But maybe I should talk aboutwhat the process is.
So what it is, it, it's, youdon't have to change anything
about yourself to be worthy ofbeing photographed.
It's about photographing peopleas they show up in their
everyday life.
Mm.
You know, you don't have to buyany special clothes.
(07:25):
And it's not like no hair ormakeup or anything like that.
Yeah.
It's.
It's how you show up.
So if you wear hair, makeup inyour day, that's how you show
up.
And then there's no editing.
I don't do any editing.
It's all shot in black andwhite.
And then after the session wesit down together and we look
through all the images.
And I encourage my clients tolike, sit with the ones they
don't like too.
(07:46):
You're gonna see ones where yourface is weird and like, you're
seeing everything.
I'm not calling anything.
And it's so amazing to watch.
It's different for every person.
And it's different for me, butit's like it feeds their souls
in whatever way needs they needto be fed.
And then I in turn get to be fedby it too.
It's just, I almost feel guiltysometimes doing it.
(08:07):
'cause it's just amazing.
Just, you're like, I love it somuch.
Yeah.
And.
It's about movement.
I mean, I'll direct in things,but it's not about posing and
getting to this perfect look.
It's just about yourexpressions, your silliness,
your, playfulness, your sadness,your whatever.
It's just freeform.
So that's where I'm at, right.
(08:31):
With that.
And I'm just so excited and,yeah, he reached out at the
perfect time.
I just feel like it was justdivine timing.
'cause I was like, I wanna sharethis with as many people as I
possibly can.
So.
Oh, I think everyone needs tohear this.
Yeah, because it's so unlikeanything I've ever seen.
You had mentioned that you havediscovered yourself through
photography, but it looks likethis also helps others.
(08:54):
Yes.
Rediscover themselves.
Yeah.
A hundred percent when Iphotograph people, I'm
discovering a piece of myselfeach time too.
I'm meeting them where they areand I am seeing myself in them
and their story, and it's just abeautiful exchange between
people and I'm just gratefulthat, that it played out the way
(09:16):
it did.
I'm really excited about thework I'm creating and that's
huge.
It took a long time for me toeven be able to project myself
into any kind of future.
I just couldn't see, was insurvival mode and I'm still
cultivating that, like gettingthat joy back and getting that
excitement for life back.
And this has been such a hugepiece of it.
(09:38):
And to think I started, I pickedup my camera like.
Fine.
I'll do it.
I'll do it fine.
Oh my goodness.
And what would you say is yourbusiness's mission and your
soul's mission?
Are they the same?
Are they?
Pretty much, pretty much.
It's definitely been alignmentof that, where they're kind of
(09:59):
the same thing.
And photography is obviouslysomething that I've had for so
long and I feel so grateful thatI was given a passion for it.
But I think it's definitely justa tool that I have been given to
use to.
And I know it sounds cliche andstuff, but just like spread
light and love in the world andmm-hmm.
(10:19):
Shower people with love and justmake them feel safe and seen and
hopefully spark some kind ofinspiration that they need for
whatever they're going throughor what they wanna pursue or
overcome or celebrate, justwhatever it is for them.
And what, what is the name ofyour business?
It's just my name Kimberly.
(10:40):
We tot photography.
I do headshots and branding andfamilies and seniors.
I still do all that stuff andstill love that.
But yes, the as you are sessionsare particularly.
Soul aligned for sure.
For me.
That's incredible.
Yeah.
So how can we find you to book asession and what could we
expect?
(11:00):
I am on Instagram as Kimberly,we tot photographer and on
Facebook as well.
My website is is just my nameKimberly.
We totK-I-M-B-E-R-L-Y-W-I-T-O-R-T.
And.
I have, images on my website.
You can contact me throughthere, through my Instagram.
I'm gonna be running an as youare ad soon, so hopefully get
(11:22):
the word out more and there'llbe even more information on that
where people can see.
Right now I just offer thedigitals because I just want
people to have them, but I havea gorgeous handmade album that I
have made in Italy that.
I think is an amazing way tojust keep that and always have
it as a reminder to look at thephotos we lose our way
(11:44):
sometimes.
Mm-hmm.
And photography again has beenkind of that anchor for me to
remind myself.
I've done self portraits ofmyself too, and I look back and
I go, oh my gosh.
That's where I was then.
And it reminds me of the journeyI've had.
And it's just, it's reallypowerful.
And so, yeah.
I love that.
In this day and age, especiallywith our iPhones, we get such
(12:05):
incredible pictures and some ofus find the comfort of that.
There is a, it's easy, we can doit ourselves, we can add a
filter.
But what would you say is thegame changer for someone to
actually invest in themselvesand actually invest in either
the come as you are or any ofthe other photography services?
I think it speaks to takingaction is a huge part of that
(12:27):
and, a signal to the universe.
Like, I'm ready.
I had a particular clientrecently that did a branding
session.
She's amazing.
And she does sound baths andthings like that, and breath
work.
And after the session she, it,it, like everything opened up
for her and her business.
She finally got her own space,it validated her as a
professional in a way that shewasn't prepared for., And even
(12:49):
during the session she's like,I've never really just seen
myself seriously as this.
And I just feel like I.
I am this, like I can do this.
And I've heard that with clientsover and over again.
So I think a lot of it is the,the action and the message of
I'm ready to take this next stepand to broaden my horizons and
(13:10):
I.
Sly, for lack of a better word.
I love that.
And you're so right.
It's like you're worthy of it.
I love watching people use theirimages and also incorporating,
I'll tell them like, this is myprocess.
This is how I document for mysocial media, and I just share
what I know.
Like I don't claim to be anyexpert or anything like that.
I just document what I do andthat's what I recommend to
(13:32):
people if they're,'cause a lotof the people that come to me.
They're not really doing socialmedia, they're just realizing
like, okay, I really need to dothis.
And so I'm like, just start bydocumenting what you do.
And it doesn't have to becomplicated.
It doesn't have to be scripted.
And you're gonna learn aboutyourself as a business owner
doing that too.
And I can help facilitate thatwith images.
And I can do videos for them tooand show them like, this is what
(13:55):
you can do and I can continue tohelp you.
Or you can, go and do ityourself as well.
Like, I'm okay with that too.
So yeah, it's powerful.
It's really powerful on aspiritual level and on a
professional level.
So I just, it's kind of a nobrainer.
You know what I really love is.
That you're a conscious businessperson, you can totally tell
(14:15):
when someone works on themselveshow it translates in their
business.
I think it's so important.
A lot of my healing journey wasfacilitated by doing CODA
meetings, which is acodependency meeting.
So I just wanna throw that outthere because I think everyone
can benefit from looking intocodependency and how it affects
people.
It's like a 12 step program andI needed to do something free,
(14:38):
so I.
I started going to meetings anddoing that and like my list of
audio books is all self-helpbooks like codependency.
You and me both by the way.
Yeah.
Codependency no more like, whatare the symptoms of codependency
like,'cause someone listeningmight be like, okay, so, oh my
gosh.
Well, it's very encompassing.
(14:59):
I think that codependency iskind of like the baseline.
Coping mechanism that humanshave.
I think it's kind of everybodyis codependent to some level.
We are codependent beings.
We need each other, right?
But like anything, it can gointo kind of toxic realms and
because we're sort, we learnedsurvival techniques when we were
(15:19):
kids and you know, as we growup, you, you hope that you
realize.
By self-reflection.
I don't need to do those tacticsanymore.
And so there is actually on thewebsite, it's a very extensive
list.
So it's, it very, there's likelists about like how you are in
denial about things.
(15:40):
A slow self-esteem, charactertraits.
There's five categories andlist.
To start for anybody, I highlyrecommend just looking at that
list and just reflecting onyourself, like, how do I show up
in this?
And then on the other side ofit, it shows when you're healed,
what those traits look like whenyou're in a healed space.
(16:02):
So you do get to see like, okay,this is kind of like a natural
point, part of being a human,but this is what it looks like
when you're more balanced andhealed.
It was life changing.
Life changing.
So I highly recommend, and ifyou don't wanna do the meetings,
I totally get it.
'cause it's very awkward to sitin front of a, a full of
strangers and share like deep,dark secrets.
(16:22):
But it is, it's transformative.
It helps you be vulnerable,which I think is so powerful.
It's terrifying, but powerfuland I highly recommend it.
I highly recommend it So, yeah.
hundred percent.
My business is founded onpersonal development.
That's job security for you.
Yes.
I keep.
(16:45):
But it just, with anything, yougotta like reenergize, you go to
the gym once, it's not gonnagive you the results forever.
And same thing with like,probably even in your business,
the inspiration and motivation.
It's like, what do I gotta go tonext?
Yes.
Not always doing the samethings, but maybe do it a little
different too.
Yeah.
Um, prime inspiration andespecially'cause creativity is
(17:05):
such an energy as well to emit.
Oh yeah.
So girl, for me, I cannot pushout content if I am not behind
it.
Oh, yeah.
You know what I'm talking about.
Oh yeah.
My, my content ebbs and flowswith consistency because of that
very reason.
like if I'm not feeling it.
I'm not feeling it, so I just,I've tried to just accept that
about the process.
(17:25):
Yeah.
And not, must post this manytimes or must do this.
Yeah.
Like I, I try to be moreconsistent.
That's been a constant journeyas a creative, to have the
consistency and discipline, butat the same time, I can't force
it.
You know?
Yeah.
When I, whenever I forced thingsin my life, just in general, not
even in business, it's notreally worked out that great.
Yeah.
(17:46):
You know, I allow things to cometo me because those, I think are
the truly the things that aretruly meant for me.
So, oh yeah.
Well, I can feel it.
Girl.
You're just magnetic.
So we're gonna pivot to ourclosing questions.
Okay.
The traditional questions I askevery guest that comes on.
And so the first one, Kimberly,what is your favorite book?
I know you said you have a lot,lot of, also, I'll tell you my,
(18:09):
I, I did put a favorite book,but it's from when I was a kid.
Okay.
And it is called The Maze in theHeart of the Castle by Dorothy
Gilman.
And it is kind of like, it's a,a kid that goes kind of on a
spiritual journey and discoveryafter his parents die.
And it's kind of like fantasyand, and, but it, I just, I
remember listening to it as akid and I just absolutely loved
(18:31):
it.
So I'll stick with that one.
Otherwise, I love that it wouldjust be you, a bunch of
self-help books.
I love that.
Thank you so much for that.
And then the second question,what is your favorite
affirmation?
I would say the thing that Iprobably have said the most to
myself is trust the process.
Trust the process.
And accept things as they are,not how I hope them to be.
(18:54):
So live.
I love that, basically.
Yeah.
I love that.
And what do you wanna be knownfor your legacy?
Making people feel good aboutthemselves.
Making them feel safe and I,yeah, just making them feel safe
and seen to, and, and hopefullyinspiring them to, to do
(19:18):
something that they wanna doand, and let go of anything
holding them back.
I.
Mm.
And just authenticity.
I mean, that's really somethingI really strive for to be
totally myself and so people canbe themselves.
Ooh, I love that.
Oh, I just love you.
Alright, and the last one, whatare you most proud of?
(19:39):
Not giving up and.
Remaining with an open heart inspite of like all the, all the
stuff I've gone through.
And that's been a huge thingthat I did not want my heart to
close.
And I mean, it, it did, it did.
Let's be real.
It shot.
Yeah, it did.
Did it have a lock on it?
Yep.
She's still, she's still in, youknow, she's still in protective
(20:01):
mode a little bit, but workingon it and, and.
And not allowing that to, tostay stagnant.
Like I wanna have an open heartthrough my life.
Thank you so much for tuning into this
episode.
Please download, rate,subscribe, and share this
(20:21):
podcast.
Also, be sure to visit mytheresacesare.com to check out
my inspirational merch, connectto my social accounts, and much
more may you continue to befilled with wisdom, inspiration,
and consciousness.
Otherwise, friends, I will beback for another episode of
Heart to.
Welcome to Heart to Talk the podcast.
I am the host and creatorTheresa Cesare My intention for
this podcast is to deliver toyou wisdom, inspiration, and
consciousness.
Through solo episodes andconversations amongst insightful
people.
It is my greatest honor to bringto you talks that come from the.
(00:31):
Welcome, amazing listeners.
Today I have the absolutepleasure of welcoming an
extraordinary soul and talentedartist, Kimberly Witwort.
Kimberly is a seasonedphotographer with over 20 years
of experience specializing inheadshots, personal branding,
high school seniors, families,and her signature as you are
(00:54):
Sessions, photography has beenthe constant in her life and
intimate companion throughheartbreaks transformation and
healing.
Today.
She offers deeply human andhonest sessions that focus on
capturing people exactly as theyare.
No glam, no pretense, justtruth.
(01:14):
Through this work, she has notonly rebuilt her business, but
also rediscovered herself.
Her mission is simple, yetpowerful, to create a space
where others feel safe enough tobe seen, truly seen friends, I
am so excited to bring to you myconversation with Kimberly
Witwort Girl, I would love foryou to literally just go in and
(01:42):
tell this audience about you.
Your story, how did you become aphotographer?
Oh gosh.
Yeah.
Woo.
Okay.
I've been a photographer forover 20 years now, but through
the majority of that I was incorporate America.
I worked for State Farm for 17years, and so I always did it on
the side.
But I started out because I drewpeople, I would take photos or
(02:02):
magazine photos of people and Iwould draw people from the
photos but I just was like.
I really wanna just this isinstant gratification, being
able to photograph someoneversus drawing someone.
Right.
And so I just startedphotographing my friend's kids
and kind of the same as mostphotographers.
And then you like photographbabies and then you photograph
(02:23):
weddings and then you do this,and then I've done it all.
I've done weddings, I've donethe newborns, I've done pets,
and people are my specialty.
It just grew from there.
It just was like kind of anobsession.
And I, self-taught throughYouTube and trial and error but
I've put my camera down severaltimes because of life, events,
breakups and things like movingand, restarting my life over.
(02:46):
And it's been different eachtime that I've re, entered the
world of photography.
And this time was definitely,was kind of a begrudging
process.
I moved here after a divorce.
A really painful divorce.
I just wanted to leaveeverything behind.
My parents had moved hereshortly before me, so I had, you
(03:09):
know, my parents to kind of softplace to land and I'm so
grateful for that.
So I was able to take time offand walk in the desert and dance
in fricking the monsoon seasonand like, which was amazing.
And so.
But then, real life kicks inand, I'm like, okay, what kind
of life am I gonna create?
(03:29):
The last thing I wanna do wasphotography.
I just was so burnt outemotionally.
I just wanted a nine to fivewhere I could just go to work
and just.
Come home I learned how to dostained glass in that whole time
and I was like, I just wannacome home, do stained glass and
tinker around with my plants.
But I just wasn't gonna be ableto do it financially, like long
(03:50):
term.
And so photography was my bestbet for financial stability and
success and growth.
And, and I say begrudginglybecause I just, I was very.
Emotionally burnt out.
And so it was a thought ofpicking up the camera.
'cause it's a very personalthing to photograph people.
And, but once again, photographycoming in and being honestly my
(04:14):
longest term intimaterelationship.
Like, we're back.
Fine.
We'll get back together.
We're back together.
And so I thought, okay, I'lljust, I'll just join some
networking groups and meetpeople.
'cause I didn't know anybody.
And so I just kind of started,tried to pick up where I left
off in Washington with mybusiness, but I hadn't really
(04:36):
picked up a camera in probablytwo years and so it was very
foreign.
I was super rusty.
I felt like I had to relearneverything, but I was like,
okay, I'm just gonna try andpick up where I left off and see
what happens.
So I was really just winging it.
I just was like, I'm just gonnado this, photography again, it's
like the hand pushing me.
(04:57):
And so,, meeting people andlearning to trust people again
and trust myself again, likethat was the biggest thing.
Like when do you say no?
Is this no a real no or am Ijust No, because I'm scared and
I don't wanna do something.
Right.
It's like, same with a yes.
Like you want it to be a realYes.
Not just because you wannaplease somebody.
Yeah.
So learning that again, and Ifeel like I'm finally kind of
(05:20):
getting to a much more groundedand.
Confident place again, feeling alittle bit more like myself.
But, I used to do like a fullkind of magazine type experience
where they come in, they gettheir hair and makeup done, like
fancy clothes.
And it just wasn't feeling likeme anymore.
(05:41):
It just didn't feel right.
And years ago I had dreamtabout, I was like, gosh, it
would be really cool just toshoot everything in black and
white.
Like, I just loved that idea,but I was just like, that's
crazy.
No one's gonna want that.
You know?
And I.
I just happened to stumble upona little, workshop with this
(06:01):
photographer and she was doingsessions that she called as you
are Sessions and they're all inblack and white.
And I was like.
Oh my God, this is exactly whatI wanted to do before.
Like this is, yes, this is asign.
Like I have to follow this, Ihave to just see what's gonna
happen with this.
So I end up reaching out tosomebody and that I thought
(06:21):
would be amazing in theexperience and love the
experience, just to try it outand just see how it felt.
And then I had a videographercome in and take some video of
it, and it was.
Life changing.
It was so easy.
First of all, it just flowed andthe images were, oh my gosh, I
squeal a lot when I get, yeah.
(06:42):
Oh, I get a picture that I love.
Whole session I was amazing.
And then after we looked at theimages together and everyone
left, I started sobbing.
I was just like crying because Iwas like, oh my gosh, this is
exactly what I've been needing.
And it just lit me up in a waythat I thought I couldn't feel
again.
I thought I'd lost that.
And so I've just been workingon, having more people come in
(07:04):
and do it because at first whenI tell people about it.
The people are nervous.
Like they don't Yeah.
They're like, what?
But maybe I should talk aboutwhat the process is.
So what it is, it, it's, youdon't have to change anything
about yourself to be worthy ofbeing photographed.
It's about photographing peopleas they show up in their
everyday life.
Mm.
You know, you don't have to buyany special clothes.
(07:25):
And it's not like no hair ormakeup or anything like that.
Yeah.
It's.
It's how you show up.
So if you wear hair, makeup inyour day, that's how you show
up.
And then there's no editing.
I don't do any editing.
It's all shot in black andwhite.
And then after the session wesit down together and we look
through all the images.
And I encourage my clients tolike, sit with the ones they
don't like too.
(07:46):
You're gonna see ones where yourface is weird and like, you're
seeing everything.
I'm not calling anything.
And it's so amazing to watch.
It's different for every person.
And it's different for me, butit's like it feeds their souls
in whatever way needs they needto be fed.
And then I in turn get to be fedby it too.
It's just, I almost feel guiltysometimes doing it.
(08:07):
'cause it's just amazing.
Just, you're like, I love it somuch.
Yeah.
And.
It's about movement.
I mean, I'll direct in things,but it's not about posing and
getting to this perfect look.
It's just about yourexpressions, your silliness,
your, playfulness, your sadness,your whatever.
It's just freeform.
So that's where I'm at, right.
(08:31):
With that.
And I'm just so excited and,yeah, he reached out at the
perfect time.
I just feel like it was justdivine timing.
'cause I was like, I wanna sharethis with as many people as I
possibly can.
So.
Oh, I think everyone needs tohear this.
Yeah, because it's so unlikeanything I've ever seen.
You had mentioned that you havediscovered yourself through
photography, but it looks likethis also helps others.
(08:54):
Yes.
Rediscover themselves.
Yeah.
A hundred percent when Iphotograph people, I'm
discovering a piece of myselfeach time too.
I'm meeting them where they areand I am seeing myself in them
and their story, and it's just abeautiful exchange between
people and I'm just gratefulthat, that it played out the way
(09:16):
it did.
I'm really excited about thework I'm creating and that's
huge.
It took a long time for me toeven be able to project myself
into any kind of future.
I just couldn't see, was insurvival mode and I'm still
cultivating that, like gettingthat joy back and getting that
excitement for life back.
And this has been such a hugepiece of it.
(09:38):
And to think I started, I pickedup my camera like.
Fine.
I'll do it.
I'll do it fine.
Oh my goodness.
And what would you say is yourbusiness's mission and your
soul's mission?
Are they the same?
Are they?
Pretty much, pretty much.
It's definitely been alignmentof that, where they're kind of
(09:59):
the same thing.
And photography is obviouslysomething that I've had for so
long and I feel so grateful thatI was given a passion for it.
But I think it's definitely justa tool that I have been given to
use to.
And I know it sounds cliche andstuff, but just like spread
light and love in the world andmm-hmm.
(10:19):
Shower people with love and justmake them feel safe and seen and
hopefully spark some kind ofinspiration that they need for
whatever they're going throughor what they wanna pursue or
overcome or celebrate, justwhatever it is for them.
And what, what is the name ofyour business?
It's just my name Kimberly.
(10:40):
We tot photography.
I do headshots and branding andfamilies and seniors.
I still do all that stuff andstill love that.
But yes, the as you are sessionsare particularly.
Soul aligned for sure.
For me.
That's incredible.
Yeah.
So how can we find you to book asession and what could we
expect?
(11:00):
I am on Instagram as Kimberly,we tot photographer and on
Facebook as well.
My website is is just my nameKimberly.
We totK-I-M-B-E-R-L-Y-W-I-T-O-R-T.
And.
I have, images on my website.
You can contact me throughthere, through my Instagram.
I'm gonna be running an as youare ad soon, so hopefully get
(11:22):
the word out more and there'llbe even more information on that
where people can see.
Right now I just offer thedigitals because I just want
people to have them, but I havea gorgeous handmade album that I
have made in Italy that.
I think is an amazing way tojust keep that and always have
it as a reminder to look at thephotos we lose our way
(11:44):
sometimes.
Mm-hmm.
And photography again has beenkind of that anchor for me to
remind myself.
I've done self portraits ofmyself too, and I look back and
I go, oh my gosh.
That's where I was then.
And it reminds me of the journeyI've had.
And it's just, it's reallypowerful.
And so, yeah.
I love that.
In this day and age, especiallywith our iPhones, we get such
(12:05):
incredible pictures and some ofus find the comfort of that.
There is a, it's easy, we can doit ourselves, we can add a
filter.
But what would you say is thegame changer for someone to
actually invest in themselvesand actually invest in either
the come as you are or any ofthe other photography services?
I think it speaks to takingaction is a huge part of that
(12:27):
and, a signal to the universe.
Like, I'm ready.
I had a particular clientrecently that did a branding
session.
She's amazing.
And she does sound baths andthings like that, and breath
work.
And after the session she, it,it, like everything opened up
for her and her business.
She finally got her own space,it validated her as a
professional in a way that shewasn't prepared for., And even
(12:49):
during the session she's like,I've never really just seen
myself seriously as this.
And I just feel like I.
I am this, like I can do this.
And I've heard that with clientsover and over again.
So I think a lot of it is the,the action and the message of
I'm ready to take this next stepand to broaden my horizons and
(13:10):
I.
Sly, for lack of a better word.
I love that.
And you're so right.
It's like you're worthy of it.
I love watching people use theirimages and also incorporating,
I'll tell them like, this is myprocess.
This is how I document for mysocial media, and I just share
what I know.
Like I don't claim to be anyexpert or anything like that.
I just document what I do andthat's what I recommend to
(13:32):
people if they're,'cause a lotof the people that come to me.
They're not really doing socialmedia, they're just realizing
like, okay, I really need to dothis.
And so I'm like, just start bydocumenting what you do.
And it doesn't have to becomplicated.
It doesn't have to be scripted.
And you're gonna learn aboutyourself as a business owner
doing that too.
And I can help facilitate thatwith images.
And I can do videos for them tooand show them like, this is what
(13:55):
you can do and I can continue tohelp you.
Or you can, go and do ityourself as well.
Like, I'm okay with that too.
So yeah, it's powerful.
It's really powerful on aspiritual level and on a
professional level.
So I just, it's kind of a nobrainer.
You know what I really love is.
That you're a conscious businessperson, you can totally tell
(14:15):
when someone works on themselveshow it translates in their
business.
I think it's so important.
A lot of my healing journey wasfacilitated by doing CODA
meetings, which is acodependency meeting.
So I just wanna throw that outthere because I think everyone
can benefit from looking intocodependency and how it affects
people.
It's like a 12 step program andI needed to do something free,
(14:38):
so I.
I started going to meetings anddoing that and like my list of
audio books is all self-helpbooks like codependency.
You and me both by the way.
Yeah.
Codependency no more like, whatare the symptoms of codependency
like,'cause someone listeningmight be like, okay, so, oh my
gosh.
Well, it's very encompassing.
(14:59):
I think that codependency iskind of like the baseline.
Coping mechanism that humanshave.
I think it's kind of everybodyis codependent to some level.
We are codependent beings.
We need each other, right?
But like anything, it can gointo kind of toxic realms and
because we're sort, we learnedsurvival techniques when we were
(15:19):
kids and you know, as we growup, you, you hope that you
realize.
By self-reflection.
I don't need to do those tacticsanymore.
And so there is actually on thewebsite, it's a very extensive
list.
So it's, it very, there's likelists about like how you are in
denial about things.
(15:40):
A slow self-esteem, charactertraits.
There's five categories andlist.
To start for anybody, I highlyrecommend just looking at that
list and just reflecting onyourself, like, how do I show up
in this?
And then on the other side ofit, it shows when you're healed,
what those traits look like whenyou're in a healed space.
(16:02):
So you do get to see like, okay,this is kind of like a natural
point, part of being a human,but this is what it looks like
when you're more balanced andhealed.
It was life changing.
Life changing.
So I highly recommend, and ifyou don't wanna do the meetings,
I totally get it.
'cause it's very awkward to sitin front of a, a full of
strangers and share like deep,dark secrets.
(16:22):
But it is, it's transformative.
It helps you be vulnerable,which I think is so powerful.
It's terrifying, but powerfuland I highly recommend it.
I highly recommend it So, yeah.
hundred percent.
My business is founded onpersonal development.
That's job security for you.
Yes.
I keep.
(16:45):
But it just, with anything, yougotta like reenergize, you go to
the gym once, it's not gonnagive you the results forever.
And same thing with like,probably even in your business,
the inspiration and motivation.
It's like, what do I gotta go tonext?
Yes.
Not always doing the samethings, but maybe do it a little
different too.
Yeah.
Um, prime inspiration andespecially'cause creativity is
(17:05):
such an energy as well to emit.
Oh yeah.
So girl, for me, I cannot pushout content if I am not behind
it.
Oh, yeah.
You know what I'm talking about.
Oh yeah.
My, my content ebbs and flowswith consistency because of that
very reason.
like if I'm not feeling it.
I'm not feeling it, so I just,I've tried to just accept that
about the process.
(17:25):
Yeah.
And not, must post this manytimes or must do this.
Yeah.
Like I, I try to be moreconsistent.
That's been a constant journeyas a creative, to have the
consistency and discipline, butat the same time, I can't force
it.
You know?
Yeah.
When I, whenever I forced thingsin my life, just in general, not
even in business, it's notreally worked out that great.
Yeah.
(17:46):
You know, I allow things to cometo me because those, I think are
the truly the things that aretruly meant for me.
So, oh yeah.
Well, I can feel it.
Girl.
You're just magnetic.
So we're gonna pivot to ourclosing questions.
Okay.
The traditional questions I askevery guest that comes on.
And so the first one, Kimberly,what is your favorite book?
I know you said you have a lot,lot of, also, I'll tell you my,
(18:09):
I, I did put a favorite book,but it's from when I was a kid.
Okay.
And it is called The Maze in theHeart of the Castle by Dorothy
Gilman.
And it is kind of like, it's a,a kid that goes kind of on a
spiritual journey and discoveryafter his parents die.
And it's kind of like fantasyand, and, but it, I just, I
remember listening to it as akid and I just absolutely loved
(18:31):
it.
So I'll stick with that one.
Otherwise, I love that it wouldjust be you, a bunch of
self-help books.
I love that.
Thank you so much for that.
And then the second question,what is your favorite
affirmation?
I would say the thing that Iprobably have said the most to
myself is trust the process.
Trust the process.
And accept things as they are,not how I hope them to be.
(18:54):
So live.
I love that, basically.
Yeah.
I love that.
And what do you wanna be knownfor your legacy?
Making people feel good aboutthemselves.
Making them feel safe and I,yeah, just making them feel safe
and seen to, and, and hopefullyinspiring them to, to do
(19:18):
something that they wanna doand, and let go of anything
holding them back.
I.
Mm.
And just authenticity.
I mean, that's really somethingI really strive for to be
totally myself and so people canbe themselves.
Ooh, I love that.
Oh, I just love you.
Alright, and the last one, whatare you most proud of?
(19:39):
Not giving up and.
Remaining with an open heart inspite of like all the, all the
stuff I've gone through.
And that's been a huge thingthat I did not want my heart to
close.
And I mean, it, it did, it did.
Let's be real.
It shot.
Yeah, it did.
Did it have a lock on it?
Yep.
She's still, she's still in, youknow, she's still in protective
(20:01):
mode a little bit, but workingon it and, and.
And not allowing that to, tostay stagnant.
Like I wanna have an open heartthrough my life.
Thank you so much for tuning into this
episode.
Please download, rate,subscribe, and share this
(20:21):
podcast.
Also, be sure to visit mytheresacesare.com to check out
my inspirational merch, connectto my social accounts, and much
more may you continue to befilled with wisdom, inspiration,
and consciousness.
Otherwise, friends, I will beback for another episode of
Heart to.
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