Branded | Free Spirited Stylist, Kim Webb

Somethings that change your life take you places you never let yourself dream of going. For me, it was my first time using a camera. I had no idea it would take me across the country, meet people of all walks of life, help me start my own business, and over all else, refine my artistic expression in ways I never thought were fathomable. I feel a sense of purpose, of truth even, in that I am doing what I am meant to do. I also feel this freedom, this weight almost lifted off my shoulders, knowing that I am fully in control of my own life and business. The camera and my laptop are powerful tools in small(ish) packages. Small enough, at least, to pick up and go wherever my heart desires.

This sense of freedom, to explore, to innovate, to dream, is exciting in its boundless possibilities. My reckless heart yearns for this freedom, making it impossible for me to choose a cubicle-type of career. This core motivator for me recognizes like-minded hearts and when I met Kim Webb, owner of Hair by Kim AZ, her tenacious spirit manifested in the way she spoke.

Recounting her story to me, I pick up between the lines that styling hair has become a sort of freedom to her as photography has to me. Not an escape, but an opportunity to expand her horizons from the rural California town she grew up in. An adolescent seventeen-year-old, Kim dove headfirst into the world of beauty, attending cosmetology school right after her high school graduation. With each class, honing more energy with which she would harness and achieve her independence.

The sparkle in her eye told me that we shared an invigorating love for a certain lifestyle of autonomy. We exchanged anecdotes about adventures abroad, specifically in Thailand, and we both caught ourselves daydreaming about places far far away.

She reminisced on her time in Japan, getting better and better professionally as a stylist and finding her way on her own so far from home. Upon returning stateside, Kim’s wanderlust did not disappear but transformed. Her independent spirit reimagined itself, now manifesting as a business owner, her own boss.

Our paths crossed first when she booked a mini-portrait session with me. Framed by Flagstaff’s tall pines and sweeping grasslands, Kim introduced me to her sweet boyfriend Derek and their adorable pup Damian. They’re the type of couple that is so down-to-earth and chill, photographing them, and the dog was literally a walk in the park.

Matching each others’ vibes and finding kindred spirits in each other, Kim hired me to shoot new photos for her brand, giving us more time to play around with her Free People-esque tones. When envisioning her brand, accent colors like gold, teal, and red speak to her. Her Bohemian style of printed hats and patterns align synchronously with her adventurous spirit and attention to detail.

To embody all aspects of Hair by Kim, we carefully selected the photo locations that emphasized Kim’s story. For a full day brand shoot, we needed to capture all salon services, lifestyle images, and artistic headshots for Kim to use for her website and eye-catching social media.

Capturing movement shots of her day-to-day hustle started at her studio at Salon Luxx. Our lovely model, Michela, stayed still in the salon chair as Kim fleeted and flurried around her.

We moved quickly through the cut, colors, and style shots, already made on-brand with the intentional decor Kim had set up in her salon. Little succulents and geometrically simple details went hand in hand with the white marble countertops creating that free-spirited look Kim loves so much. Down to her dainty gold scissors, hairbrushes, and combs, Kim catered to her brand aesthetic in a way so detailed I was ecstatic to shoot flat lays with no additional props on my part.

After peeking into her salon, Kim and I decided to also shoot images that showcased the work she invests in her business outside the studio. Finding time to visit the Pinterest-perfect coffee shop at The Henry restaurant, I captured glimpses of Kim typing away on her laptop keyboard, researching the newest industry trends, and scheduling out her clientele.

All-day, Derek was tweaking out-of-place hairs or switching out props like the great Insta-boyfriend he is. We couldn’t quite let him get out of getting his photo taken with Kim, so for our next scene, we incorporated him into an intimate in-home lifestyle session.

The real, raw setting of a lived-in home accentuated the personal aspect of Kim’s brand. Far too often, professionals brush off the importance of showing up on social media in sweatpants. I often find myself most drawn to the people that aren’t afraid to show their natural self, instead of only the perfectly curated images of their lives. I hold myself accountable to this on social media and find there’s true value in being honest and open in our lives.

I asked Kim to scavenge for a few props that represented her and Derek’s life together. My initial suggestion of a bowl of popcorn turned into a bowl of bright-orange colored cheese balls since that was all they had at the house. Shooting Derek and Kim on their couch with the dog never too far away, there was no mistaking the chemistry and warm love between them. It was comfortable, inviting, and goofy. With those two, there’s no holding back. Messing around feeding each other cheese balls was surprisingly one of the most intimate moments I captured between the two.

Running out of daylight, we couldn’t end the day without visiting the Desert Botanical Gardens. Kim is in sync with the natural world in ways that we connect over. My personal love for tarot cards and belief in manifestation made this story one of the most artistically stimulating to shoot. Wearing an earth-toned long dress complemented by a dandelion yellow teddy jacket, Kim let the wind blow through her hair as we took portraits unique to only her. She brought her healing rocks and tarot cards as details, and the desert landscape worked in harmony with Kim’s movements. She was the perfect end to a full day of creation.

Head over to Kim’s website and follow her on Instagram @kimpaintshair.