Today we’d like to introduce you to Joshua Kerwood.
Hi Joshua, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
My story with photography began when I was just a kid. Honestly, I can’t remember how old I was at the time, maybe 8 or 9 years old. Atop the mountains of Colorado with a little panoramic film camera during a family vacation; it was all I needed to forever fall in love with the medium of photography.
As a young teenager, I was exposed to the professional side of photography, thanks to my mother managing a prestigious studio in the Mall of America. I learned so much from her working in that field, along with learning from the photographers that worked in her studio. It inspired me in a way I didn’t realize at the time and I later found myself in a lifelong journey with photography. One of my first real jobs out of high school was in a management position at a local camera shop where I got to dive into the technical stuff – camera bodies, lenses, film processing, printing, and so much more. I learned about all the different brands, what made each one special from one another, and became acquainted with countless professionals. And throughout all of that time from childhood to becoming a young adult I was rarely found without a camera by my side. Thanks to annual family trips to the Boundary Waters of Minnesota and the North Shore of Lake Superior throughout my childhood, I was consistently inspired to capture the beauty of the world around me.
Life happened and photography became nothing more than a hobby for me. I became a father and husband, and busied myself with providing for my family. It wasn’t until the Summer of 2017 that I realized that my years of business management experience, combined with my love of photography, could become so much more than a bullet point on my resume and a hobby that I adore. I created my photography brand Väter Photo and began selling my work to local residents that adored how I captured the town they resided in. Word of mouth spread, I got my first weddings, and over the next couple of years, I found myself in a position where my photography became my fulltime business. I have had photographs exhibited at renowned galleries all around the world as well as my local cities, as well as being hired for destination weddings and nationally acclaimed events. I’ve captured historic events, the solar eclipse, the comet Neowise, and have spent countless nights with the Milky Way. What started with just myself and a camera, has turned into my lifelong dream come true.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
This journey has been quite difficult. As a young adult, I found myself at a rock bottom point with nothing more than my car and a cardboard box with my belongings. I had recently left an abusive relationship and attained full custody of my daughters, and getting back on my feet seemed like an impossible task. It was probably the only time in my life that I didn’t even own a camera. It’s amazing to reflect on how little I actually had at that time. I kept working though, kept moving forward, and eventually, I met this amazing woman who later became my wife. She gifted me with my first digital SLR camera and has been the most amazing supporter ever since we met. It was with her support that I was able to start working my photography full-time, and now today she helps me with much of the office work that comes with running a business.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Väter Photo?
Väter Photo is a small photography company based out of Carver County, just 30 minutes west of Minneapolis. I started this company in 2017 with the vision of bringing truly passionate and artistic photographers to clients that deserve the photographs that they truly want, regardless of their budget limits.
When my wife and I got married we had 2 separate photographers for our wedding in a beautiful venue, on a most perfect Autumn day, and we were unbelievably disappointed with the photos we were given. I wish we had taken the effort to hire more passionate people instead of those that were just doing it because they could. I have made it my goal to make sure that no other couple feels the way that we did!
What sets us apart is that we are incredibly friendly, talented, and negotiable people. Regardless of your needs or your budget, we will figure out a way to make sure you get the content you deserve. We are known for our artistic passion, personability, kindness, and quality of services.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Being a successful photographer is more than just having a nice camera, or being able to compose an attractive image. It is a combination of artistic desire, personal tact, and an entrepreneurial mindset, with the drive and willingness to consistently push your creative self. I am an entirely self-taught photographer, and my business experience comes from working in the field. I didn’t attend college but have spent my entire adult life pushing myself to learn more and to always strive for greater things. Great things truly are possible when you really push yourself to achieve them.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.VaterPhoto.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/VaterPhoto
- Facebook: Facebook.com/VaterPhoto
