Meet K Chevae (Book of Kieran) | Salemen & Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with K Chevae (Book of Kieran) and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi K, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I was born in Chicago Illinois, and I moved to two different states during my childhood and teenage years, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and then Denver, Colorado during my freshman year of high school. As a Black Male in society my mother wanted to provide a better life for me growing up; as we know how society looks at black males differently. My mother is from Kingston, Jamaica and she provided the tough Island motherly love. She raised me into the man I am today, and at the age of 13, my mother made me work and pay for everything on my own. She wanted to teach me in my adolescent years how to be an adult, from balancing my own checkbook, to paying to be on her car insurance even though I had no car of my own. My mother is my inspiration, because she believes in me when I don’t even believe in myself sometimes. No matter how the world or others portray me, my mother is always the first person who will love me for who I am. When I feel like I am at my worst, she is always there to lift me up and guide me along the way and she will be the first to criticize me in a positive way so I can understand and get a better perspective on life. There are many individuals who did not grow up with a mother and I am very thankful to have a mother who raised me right and in her eyes I am the perfect son. I can do nothing wrong, even though I feel like I am always right, society will judge me on the color of my skin but my mother will not. As long as I can look my mother in the eyes and tell her the truth about anything and everything. I can be blunt and straight to the point, as the saying goes “the truth always hurts,” and I am not one to hold back on anything. As I have aged over the years mentally, I believe more now that if you don’t have anything good to say then don’t say anything at all or just ignore it. There is more to life, and everyone needs to experience it in their own way. Life is supposed to be about learning from your experiences and enjoying the time you have with your loved ones, friends and the people you respect. Thank you Mom and God, for raising me into the Man I am today and the Man Behind The Camera, or I wouldn’t be in this position where I am being recommended by Jacob Moncrieff to be placed in this article.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The first thing that sets me apart from others, is that I am myself, that is the best way anyone can go to setting themselves apart from others. When it comes to where I am at today professionally as a photographer, I have always wanted to write my own fiction novels. I am a good note taker but I could never put words to paper to be an author. Before I started photography I wanted to write a graphic vampire horror novel, gritty dark and walking dead like vibes. I was a big Marvel Blade I and II fan when I was younger, and I have always loved anything about samurais and katanas. Pretty much anything that resolved ninjas, Teenage Mutant Ninjas Turtles being my favorite animated series as well as the old Teenage Mutant Ninjas Turtles films from the 90s. I would say now that I still am not able to place words to paper, my novel is now being written through photography. And so far I am happy with my efforts, but not satisfied yet, I have a lot more to learn and ways I can and have to further develop to get to goals I want to accomplish before my time is up on this Earth. Getting to where I am at as an amateur professional in photography was not easy and still is not easy. Everyday as a human, a creator and photographer you have your doubts. Doubts about yourself, doubts about your actual work, your life and if you’re making the right decisions. It’s a challenge in itself to be who you’re everyday, without having to try and conform to what society or what someone else wants you to be. During the challenges in my life as well as photography; I have learned a lot of lessons during the current pandemic that has booked its course around the world. For the past 8 months, the current events from the pandemic to social injustice, has allowed me to see myself differently as well as the experiences I have encountered and will further encounter as I continue to age. That is to be grateful and thankful for everything you have in life, as it can be taken away from you in an instant. Spread positivity, love and help to those in need, as you never know when it will be your time when you need someone in your life story. My story isn’t over yet, I hope I can continue to keep a creative mindset, build a business and help others to write their own story. When I started my photography journey in April of this year (2020), I had no idea that I would be having a feature in an article, or have others interested in my photography. I have told my friends and family that I have always loved to listen to others tell their stories and experiences in life so that I can learn. Hence the name BookofKieran as my Instagram handle, and Socrates said it best “I know that I know nothing.” I continue to pray that I can continue to develop, get better as a photographer, a son, brother, uncle and friend.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If I had a friend visiting who has never visited Denver and we weren’t going through a pandemic, the first place I would take them is the landmark Union Station. I just have always liked the vibes at the Terminal Bar. Depending on the timing, grab a few drinks, socialize, play some table shuffleboard. We hit Jax Fish House for a Happy Hour, possibly Avanti for a night cap. So many places and things to do, not only in Denver but Colorado in general. The hikes at Rocky Mountain National Park, arcade game bars like 1up, live sporting events (Broncos, Nuggets, Rockies and etc.) that is whenever we can get back to a crowded event. There are breweries, Denver beer week, graffiti in the Rino District, the Highlands Little Man, Milk Market, Forged, the list can go on as well as other cities, there is also Boulder, Fort Collins, Colorado Springs and etc.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
God, My Family, John Koonce, Michelle Rojas, Jacob Moncrieff, Carlie Shooner, Nicole Hagerl, and Cody Zach.

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