Kirsten Lewis I Documentary Photographer

02/26/2025

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

02/12/2025

3 HOURS LEFT!
Then I Am Done WITH MY FIRST KICKSTARTER

So…….

Here’s a challenge. If you all can push the campaign to $40k in the next 3 hours, I will add a signed, Limited Edition print for every single backer!

Really, all we need is 2 people to add in a DITL and it’s done! 😉

I’m going to bed now, will see you all in the morning.

But thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

http://kck.st/4hph1Pg

02/11/2025

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.

02/11/2025

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

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

02/09/2025

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU GET AN EMAIL FROM THE PUBLISHER LETTING YOU KNOW THAT THE TOTAL DUE, in 3 weeks, IS $20K MORE THAN ORIGINALLY BUDGETING FOR????

~ Well, your entire nervous system explodes. Your body gets super hot, tears fall, you feel like vomiting . . . . and then, you just ask Santa to come early and skip the next 10 years in a negotiation tactic.

ONLY 60 HOURS LEFT

Now is the time. I absolutely HATE asking anyone for anything. Help and Money are the 2 biggest triggers for me and yet, here I am. 🤷🏼‍♀️

If you haven't pre-ordered a book, PLEASE CONSIDER DOING SO.

If you haven't shared with your own community who you think might be interested, PLEASE CONSIDER DOING SO.
If you haven't put a little good thought out there into the Universe, PLEASE CONSIDER DOING SO.

ps. . . . THANK YOU in advance for alllllll of the love and support thus far. You have NO IDEA how grateful I am already.
pps . . . Sorry in advance for the barrage of UNSUPERVISED posts in the next 60 hours.

“Imagine a world where families felt safe enough to live their lives free from the fear of judgment, criticism and inadequacy."

02/06/2025

Pretty sure I spend half the day being amused by all the things kids say. My kids. Your kids. Kids in the grocery store. Kids in the middle of Sunday Mass. Eavesdropping on kids in the bathroom stall next to me.

One of my very favorite parts of my book is all the amazing quotes from kids.

Have a favorite quote from your own kiddo? If you share it below, I can try to make a graphic for it!

02/04/2025

“If you don’t have time for things that matter, stop doing things that don’t.”
— Courtney Carver

Do you ever feel like the work is never going to end? Do you carry unbearable guilt around the idea of giving yourself permission to pause? Are you afraid to something you love because you are in such an emotional, professional and logistical deficit? Do you wish you could stop the earth from spinning in an attempt to catch up before you keep going again?

Does any of this resonate?

If so, I promise you are NOT alone.

balance

01/30/2025

THE TWELVE DAYS OF UNSUPERVISED

First and foremost, I am truly overwhelmed by the incredible amount of love and support you all have already showered me with. I don't quite know what to say honestly. I am just $300 shy of my posted goal and still have a full 12 days left. THankyou, truly thank you.

So, let's do a little honest hour, shall we?

The truth is, I chose $15k as a safe goal. With Kickstarter, if you don't hit your goal you receive zero funding despite any pledges you MAY receive. I was scared, so I put what I imagined was safe to raise crowdfunding. However, to have my book published with just 2000 copies is upwards of $30k, and ideally I would like twice the amount of books printed.

****The book itself, the technology to accompany the book, a modest book tour and multi-room installation show brings my budget up to around $160k. 🙁 ****

There is absolutely NO EXPECTATION to make a dime directly from UNSUPERVISED. It's a labor of love with the HOPES that it opens some new doors. But the book itself? I won't see a dime.
SOOOOOOOOO, I need to push. For the next 12 days. And it's going to be super annoying and I just have to sit in the discomfort of that. I decided I would come up with 12 different asks, or suggestions, ways that you all could help me.

Here is day 1. . . .

I really want to get the project featured on Kisckstarter's front page, PROJECTS WE LOVE. It helps expand my reach exponentially.

If you have a moment and want to just shoot an email to:
[email protected]

Maybe share the link and why you think backers would like this project, I would be INFINITELY grateful .

OH, and if someone has a DIRECT connection and can make it happen by just making a connection (apparently that is generally how people get featured) we can arrange a shoot as my expression of immense appreciation.

01/23/2025

OK. . . . .
Here is the official link.

ANY support is more than appreciated. I know it can be confusing as to why photographers have to fundraise for books that have a publisher. Unfortunately, art and photography books are SUPER expensive to print when compared to your average manuscript and VERY FEW cross over to the general public so profit margins for the publishers are next to nothing. So. . . . the artists take on the cost to make their books.

Even if you can't financially support this project, or can, the BIGGEST support is: SHARE SHARE SHARE THIS KICKSTARTER WITH YOUR OWN COMMUNITY!

The more people I can reach OUTSIDE of my own insular bubble, the more chance UNSUPERVISED has a chance to make real impact in the world. That is my biggest hope, that this book helps countless parents feel seen and understood.
It is a rather unique book in that it's a multi-sensory experience. I am not sharing the specific details regarding the HOW exactly, but the pages act as a portal to a much deeper, richer experience.

I will do my best to share a whole lot more in the next few weeks, I also know that I currently live a life where basically every intention I have somehow catches fire at some point throughout the day. But I will do my best.

“Imagine a world where families felt safe enough to live their lives free from the fear of judgment, criticism and inadequacy."

01/23/2025

Well….ready or not. It’s here.

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14 years. A 14 year idea that turned into career that turned into a dream that now is a book. With a publisher that believes in me enough to give me this opportunity and endless love, support and patience from all those involved. I just returned from Istanbul where I oversaw the proof printing for this absolute labor of love. It just 3 more weeks UNSUPERVISED will be printed and bound, packaged and shipped. And then, the books will anxiously await their spring launch.
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The Kickstarter is now live for preorder. This will be the one of the only opportunities to purchase a signed copy, outside of in-person events in the future. There are some fun collections I have put together, excited to get them into the hands of parents all around the world. Parents that desperately need UNSUPERVISED to be reminded that they are seen and understood, they are not alone.

12/15/2024

10/17/2024

COLORADO FRIENDS LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO DO TONIGHT….

I am hosting a pretty awesome gathering this evening for the attendees of my LAST CALL workshop.

Beginning at 6pm there is an ART AND CREATIVITY panel with:

Winni Carter
Photographer // Social Media Content Creator

Katie Martineau Caron
ACC Studio Art & Art History Chair

Erica Rawson
2d and 3d Artist

Robert Turek
Architectural Studies and Construction Dept Chair

Then….

Around 7:30 there is going to be a Variety Show!
A celebration of performing artists! This is really exciting.

Romeo Cantu
Owner of JJ Hip Hop Dance and Performing Arts Company!
https://www.jandjhiphopdance.com

Brett Magdovitz
Singer, Song Writer
https://youtu.be/BfO_FKp5bsM?si=1LylO_lUrsUvACAI

Alec Muller
Comedic Magician and Mentalist
https://www.alecadabra.com/

Demetri Manabat
Poet, Spoken Word Artist
https://youtu.be/5GBGeCOkPUw?si=nE2NfEOotj-ZBneC

NO DOOR FEE HOWEVER, tips/donations to the performing artists is encouraged. It will all be going to them. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

10/15/2024

Well….because I fell asleep MID typing last night, had kid duties all the morning and crazed prep….

I’m extending the $399 sale of THE LAST CALL until 1pm today!

So, if you want it, grab it now. It will increase to $499 at 1.

I will do the drawing at 1:15 for the free 1 hour 1:1.

https://kirstenlewis.hbportal.co/public/6704e22addb7d7003ade0d2e/1-Register?

10/14/2024

Less than 10 hours left to register at the ridiculous rate of $399, you all can thank the 6 weeks of no sleep for that.

I'll keep posting every couple hours because the algorithm these days is terrible.

You can register here:
https://kirstenlewis.hbportal.co/public/6704e22addb7d7003ade0d2e

This is "finalLastCallPromo" by kirsten lewis on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

10/14/2024

THE LAST CALL!

It's the last opportunity to learn Documentary Family Photography from me in a workshop setting, it's happening this week AND I am offering REMOTE SEATS! You do NOT have to be present in order to participate in the class. This was built to compliment and complete my 3 Creative Live courses.

**********************************************************

I'm excited to offer this but YOU ONLY HAVE 60 HOURS to register, so don't wait.

ONLY $399 until 11:59pm Mountain Time

$499 All Day Tuesday

$599 Wednesday Morning, registration closes at 8am MT

First 10 Registrants will be automatically entered to
win a ONE HOUR 1:1 with Kirsten on Zoom
$450 value
winner will be announced on Tuesday

***********************

All Registrants will be automatically entered to win
a IN YOUR EAR session with Kirsten on Zoom
$1200 value
winner will be announced on Tuesday

************************************************************

INCLUDED IN REGISTRATION
Two Full Days
Of Learning Via Zoom

On-Demand Access
Of The Entire 2 Days

Early Access To:
THE LAST CALL - a self paced class online
(more content edited, in-the-field lessons, additional resources)

5 free photo comp entries
to be live judged during the workshop
(prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd)

BONUS PDFs
(available now)

BONUS GROUP CHATS
(available now)

BONUS Group Q&A
with Kirsten on December 10th via Zoom

BONUS Group Critique
with Kirsten on December 11th via Zoom

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LINK TO REGISTRATION:
https://shorturl.at/evLww

06/23/2024

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.

06/23/2024

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.

06/23/2024

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.