Today we’d like to introduce you to Ray Kaiser.
Hi Ray, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
Well… I actually grew up in western Kansas with my father who was a musician and photographer. Really, he was a jack of all trades honestly. He even dabbled in painting at one point! I can’t remember a time whether it was a family event or really anything there was always someone with a camera capturing that moment. I would go out with my dad when he would capture some really amazing shots on his film camera.
In Kansas, it was mostly wheat fields, old barns, and windmills, but when he would add those amazing Kansas sunsets in the background it made the shot! Fast forward to 1999, we moved to Tennessee and were really blown away by the beauty of the area. When you grow up in an area that is as flat as a pancake and then get planted into these amazing mountains it’s a complete 180. I dabbled thru my teen years taking photos, but it wasn’t till about 4 years ago that I really got serious about it.
My wife, Lindsey has been my number 1 supporter to go after my dreams and so this last year, I have really stepped out and started my Instagram and also my website. My true passion these last few years has been landscapes, but I branched out more and more. Starting in 2021, I began sports photography, starting with soccer I moved into college basketball, I even got to shoot a Knoxville Ice Bears game this past February, and was such an amazing adventure.
I also began shooting late model dirt racing and recently became a contributor for Dirt Empire Magazine. I love what photography and this area have given me so far and I am so excited for the future here!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It’s honestly been a little bumpy at times. You work so hard to capture an amazing picture and you invest a lot of time and editing to your work and sometimes you are blown away by what you have made. Sometimes no matter what it just doesn’t come out that way.
My biggest struggle for myself is that I am colorblind. So sometimes I don’t necessarily see what everyone else might. I have had a few instances where I have worked really hard on a photo, and I’ll be so excited to show my wife or friends what I have done and I’ll get a few chuckles.
The sky is purple or their skin looks like they have jaundice! Thank God for my wife who can stop me before I send them off to clients or publishers. For a while, I even put on my Instagram that I was the colorblind photographer!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I would say that I am most known for my landscape photography and I would say that is what I am most proud of.
Now that I am branching out into sports and portrait photography I want that to be just as good as my landscape work. I think my attention to detail is what sets me apart from others. I want the photo to be the absolute best it can be.
What matters most to you?
Most important to me is my family! I have a beautiful wife, a daughter, and two stepsons who all mean the world to me! They support my dreams and love my work and that is my biggest motivator!
Contact Info:
- Email: ray@raykaiserphotography.com
- Website: www.raykaiserphotography.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/photos_w_ray/
Image Credits
Ray Kaiser Photography
Megan
April 8, 2022 at 1:18 pm
Ray, you was an awesome boss,, and your photography is AMAZING! Keep following your dreams you’re gonna go so far!