10 Things You Do Not Know About Me
Kim Graves
Hey Y'all,
The 2025 season is upon us! As the weather gets better and better, my schedule starts to fill up. Of course, I’ll be seeing so many of my favorite people this year—families I’ve watched grow, little ones turning into big kids, teenagers approaching senior year with new and exciting interests, and, of course, the newest additions to growing families. I LOVE reconnecting with my returning clients, but I also get so excited to meet new faces!
Every year, I meet incredible couples expecting their first baby, young families looking to start the annual family photography tradition, and high school seniors celebrating their final year of school. It’s such an honor to document these milestones, and I can’t wait to see what 2025 has in store!
For those of you who are new here, I wanted to introduce myself! And for those of you I already know, here’s a little more about me—10 things you may not know:
I am an avid reader. I’m in two book clubs, and as a little treat to myself, I’ll head to Barnes & Noble and pick up random books each month.
I used to play guitar and cello. Music has always been a part of my life, and I still love singing when no one’s listening and also when people are listening - karaoke used to be a huge part of my life.
I love to be active! I grew up swimming—my strokes were butterfly and backstroke. Now, I go to yoga a couple of times a week, ride my Peloton, and I’m learning golf. I’ve always had a gym membership and spend at least an hour a day working out. If I can’t make it to a class, I’ll go on a 3-9 mile walk (depending on how much time I have).
I started out as a fine artist. My first love was working with pastels, charcoal, and pens. In high school, you could always find me in the art room or the library. I started with photography in 20s and have not looked back.
I used to write—and I’m getting back into it! This year, I’m joining a writing group to rediscover my love for writing.
I have celiac disease. That means no gluten for me! I’m also anaphylactic to tree nuts. Ever since my celiac diagnosis, I haven’t enjoyed cooking as much (even though I used to love it!). I even avoided the kitchen. In my new marriage I’m working on finding ways to enjoy it again despite the dietary restrictions. My husband and I find recipes we can cook together and it has helped me want to be in the kitchen again. Fun fact: I make an awesome gluten-free, nut-free cupcake and am slowly branching out into more entrees.
I went through fertility struggles in my 40s. After getting married for the second time, my husband and I tried to have a baby. I went through fertility treatments, countless doctor appointments, and heartbreaking losses. When I got the call saying my body couldn’t carry a pregnancy, it was a difficult time for both of us. We’ve worked through it together and are now moving into a new chapter of life. I do have children from my first marriage - so I am always reminding myself how lucky I am to have that!
Every July, I go to Lake Tahoe. My family has a timeshare there since before I was born, and my dad’s ashes rest in a church just a block away. I can hear the bells chime every hour, and it’s a place that holds so much meaning for me. I never miss this trip and dream of extending it to a month—or at least two to three weeks. For me this isn’t a vacation it is home away from home.
I was raised in a unique blend of faiths—my mom’s side of the family was a mix of Polish Catholic and Austrian Jewish heritage, while my dad’s side had deep Southern Baptist roots. This gave me a rich and diverse religious upbringing. After being married twice to men from Catholic families, I’ve decided to convert to Catholicism, embracing a new chapter in my spiritual journey.
I plan to retire in South Carolina near the beach. I dream about it daily and regularly browse real estate listings. Eventually, I’d love to transition my business part-time to SC for weddings, elopements, and senior photography.
So there you have it—a little peek into my life! I’m so excited for this season, and I can’t wait to see familiar faces and meet new ones. If you’re thinking about booking a session this year, reach out soon—my calendar is already filling up!
See you soon, Kim
