Meet Destiny Kitchen | Photographer & Graphic Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Destiny Kitchen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Destiny, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I’ve never been someone who saw myself having a conventional job; as a child I dreamed of having a job I could do anywhere. I also wanted to do something that I had full creative control over. I learned my photography skills as a teenager, and with my husband’s work, (he’s in the military), it occured to me that I could make my childhood dreams a reality. Each new place we move to creates new experiences, provides new adventures, and serves a community that is new to me. That’s my favorite part-learning about different cultures and subcultures. I love providing people with stills of memories they’ll look back on later. I love to see plans come to fruition in such a tangible way. Each photoshoot tells a story, and with the help of each subject, I write them with my camera!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I dabbled in photography on and off for about ten years before getting serious about it. I’ll admit, it wasn’t my first choice in career, things sort of fell into place in my case. The hardest part about getting started-or getting anything done if I’m being honest-is my anxiety. I can “reason” myself out of anything, even a prime opportunity. This interview is proof of that; I wondered if my business was established enough for something like this. What if the public hates my answers? How embarrassing would it be for my peers to read this? When I decided to make this career move, I wondered if my photos would be good enough, and how people would like my editing style compared to what seems to be popular in my market. Would I even be able to build clientele in a market so saturated? Yes, the hardest part about starting my business was the most important decision I could have made in the process: starting the business.

When it came down to it, I decided I’d never get the answers to any of my questions if I didn’t go for it. Sure, it might not work, but what if it does?

As far as what sets me apart, and what I’d like people to know about my brand-I think the photos themselves can explain better than I can. Every photographer has a different artistic taste, things that draw them, and things they like to draw out. I personally like to highlight the life in a photo. This can be accomplished through a pose, or color, angle-or whatever else catches the eye. I want my clients to look at their photos and feel satisfied knowing they captured exactly what they wanted on the day, be it an emotion or experience that’s dear to them.

Something else I want the public to know: my business is new, and I don’t have a big platform yet, but I have lots of ideas, and I’m ready to put in the work to bring visions to life!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
So, I’m actually still learning the city myself. I’ve been in Colorado Springs for almost two years, but there’s so much to explore I haven’t seen as much of it as I’d like.

So far I’ve picked out Tucano’s Brazilian Grill as a favorite restaurant, along with The Juicy Seafood for those who love a good crab boil. I’d set aside a day just to visit Roadhouse Cinemas, a dine-in movie theater with an arcade, bowling lanes, and a bar with live performances! Downtown Colorado Springs offers a variety of dining and shopping options, including what has become my favorite bookstore, Poor Richard’s, (also featuring a pizzeria and toy store!).

What attracted my husband and I to this area though, is the breathtaking scenery. We’ve made it a point to go hiking often. There are many options to choose from; we’ve traversed relatively flat trails, like those of Fountain Creek Regional Park. We tested our lungs by completing a 3 mile color march through Garden of the Gods not long after moving to Colorado.
Our goal is to complete the Manitou Incline whose highest point is 8,550 feet! Our highest altitude so far is Helen Hunt Falls at 7,225 feet.

As native Floridians, sometimes the most exciting place can be our own backyard! Colorado Springs is the first place we’ve lived where we receive several inches of snow on a regular basis. We got to experience our first snowball fight, and [attempt at] making a snowman here.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Though small, I have a very strong support network. My mother, Anita, has always been my number one cheerleader in whatever I tried. My little sister, Lyric has always been the loudest! And, my love, my husband Travis, has been the strongest. He’s the one who sees the day-to-day, and is there to support, reassure, encourage, and advocate for me whenever I need him. These are the people I not only work to improve for, but live for. I know you guys are reading this, and I love each of you dearly.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hoperoadstudios/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/destiny-kitchen-948422124/