Meet Kevin Venkatesh | Landscape and Lifestyle Photographer

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

Hi Kevin, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
When I was 8 years old, I started drawing. In class, I was constantly doodling and sketching cartoons and anime on the corner of my pages. When I turned 10, I started playing saxophone in band, eventually playing in jazz bands and groups through college. Once I started middle school, I starting playing drums and guitar, and even some piano, playing in rock bands and eventually writing my own songs. After starting college, I picked up my first digital camera and went on to shoot landscapes, weddings, portraits, and more. There was no question that I would choose creativity to be my career and purpose, I always felt that it was meant for me, even as a child.

I’ve been a generally anxious person my entire life, with many ups and downs, and many learning moments. When I started college, I was thrown into years of severe anxiety, doubt, and mild depression, sparked by misdirection and conflicting ideas during a turning point in a young man’s life. I remember the day I decided to try taking photos. I saw a photo of the Milky Way, the galaxy in which we live in, and couldn’t believe that it wasn’t a photoshopped image. Something in that photo sparked an intense curiosity in me, and I picked up my dad’s old Canon DSLR and ventured out into nature on a journey to capturing these incredible images that first inspired me.

I started hiking in my hometown, in pursuit of sunsets, sunrises, night skies, and anything else that spoke to me. This lead to trips to other destinations, with amazing skies, imposing mountains, roaring waterfalls, and more. My anxiety slowly subsided, the mental fog began to lift, and I started to build my foundation back up again.

Nearly 10 years later, although I am very much at the beginning of my career as a photographer, it’s always been in me. I am proud to have this creative medium as part of my career, and my life. Now, I am privileged to be able to share with others what creativity has done for me. It was expressing creativity that brought me joy in childhood, and it was reactivating that side of me that brought me peace and purpose as an adult.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
It took me a while to get to a place where I could truly be proud of my work. I am always striving to be better, but a challenge was constantly comparing myself to other photographers and their work, while putting down my own. After years of many hard lessons and work, and with more to come, I realized that my work is unique, and as long as I put out the best that I can do, I can deliver my art proudly. I hope that my art allows people to see the world and others in a different way, and that it might bring them some peace and joy, the way that it has brought peace to me.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m still fairly new to the Denver area, so I would be exploring along with my best friend! But to start off a little outside the city, I would take them to Golden for some day hikes, followed by lunch and drinks at the Golden Mill. Olde Town Arvada would be on the itinerary for a chill night out and for some good beer and burgers. Rocky Mountain National Park would be a must, but we would start at sunrise to beat the crowds. And a night or two of camping up in the mountains under the stars would be essential. Finally, after a potential Rockies game, we would cap off the trip with a fun night out in RiNo.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Although I have to sincerely thank all of my family and friends who have supported me throughout the years, I have a special person in mind to thank for all the opportunities and wisdom I was able to gain from working with her. Sarah Churchill, owner of Sarah Churchill Photography, gave me a chance 5 years ago by having me work on her team to shoot weddings. I started as an assistant, then second shooter, then associate shooter. I learned an incredible amount from working with her, and am so thankful for her friendship and mentorship. Sarah, thank you!

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