God’s blessings “Reine Down”
A spark of inspiration leads Ohio mom
to discover a passion for photography
Tucked away in a childhood memory, Kimberly Purple finds a spark of photography inspiration in an old family photo that sets her off on a journey to discover her passion. Find out how God’s blessings “Reine Down” even through her struggles.
By Kimberly Purple
Storyteller
When I was a child, I spent many days at my maternal grandparents’ home, a beautiful old red brick 1850’s Victorian surrounded by peaceful scenes of tree-rich acreage and bubbling streams of water.
Outside, a stately pine tree stood watch over the front yard. Pear trees lined the path running back toward the creek. Lilacs encircled the property, and apple trees always promised a fall bounty.
Inside, the house foyer featured a grand wooden bannister, well-worn from years of grandchildren sliding down it. In the dining room hung an amazing aerial photo of the house and property. To this day, remembering that picture brings a smile.
I now realize that “smile” was a spark of photography inspiration, emerging deep down inside of me. Many, many years later, I starting taking pictures of sunsets, churches, old barns, and more – all of those things are a passion of mine.
The sunsets on Buckeye Lake in Thornville, Ohio, an area where Kimberly spent most of her childhood, are sure to provide a spark of photography inspiration for anyone!
Photography inspiration just keeps growing stronger
My only “camera“ equipment was an iPad mini. As I began posting pictures on my social media page, people started to make positive comments.
For example, my co-worker Katy would say to me, “The first thing I do in the morning is look for your new pictures as they bring me joy!”
My newly acquainted sister-in-law, Leslie, sent me a private message, saying, “Hey Kimmy, do you know I am a photography judge and you have a real eye for photography!”
I didn’t know that about her as she lives out of state and I had only met her once!
As my “fans” started to grow, friends and co-workers would ask me if I would take their engagement photos, senior pictures, family photos, etc. I agreed, but was so very nervous!
I didn’t have a professional camera and had to borrow a camera from my mom, Lorraine! I watched a lot of tutorials and practiced on my own kids and family.
With my heart racing, I drove to my first “real” photo shoot for a high school senior named Jamie.
As soon as I got home, I downloaded the pictures and began scrolling through the 300+ photos I had taken. Low and behold, most of them were amazingly clear and gorgeous!!! I shocked myself and Jamie’s mom as well!
“A hilltop beauty I just had to take an aerial photo of,” says Kimberly Purple, who used her drone camera to capture this shot of Trinity Lutheran Church in Lancaster, Ohio.
As people started seeing my work, I got more bookings. As business started picking up, I knew I would have to figure out how I was going to purchase my own high quality camera equipment.
I work a full-time job as an Occupational Therapy Assistant, but I also have 5 grown children, whom I would help out as their needs would arise – usually before my own needs. That’s just what moms do!
My husband and I were in the middle of remodeling our duplex, and I unexpectedly had to have major ear surgery – money was pretty tight. I asked God for help, holding this scripture close to my heart:
Ephesians 3:20 – “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us.”
I started saving all my photography money and in about a year was able to buy a used Nikon camera and a Phantom 4 drone!
So, during the next two years with much encouragement from my husband, Jon, my family, and my friends, “Reine Down Photography” became my official start up business!
To date, I have shot numerous family photos, many real estate drone videos, three weddings, several high school seniors, a charity calendar for Nationwide Children’s Hospital, numerous events, several local videos, a billboard and various other types of photography.
As a healthcare worker, during this time of a national health crisis, I started making free aerial videos for the local businesses as a way to help them through a difficult economic period.
To be honest, I always ask God to help me during each and every shoot! I get joy out of displaying the beauty of nature, capturing special family memories, and giving God the glory for my new found gift.
To see more of Kimberly’s photography and find some photography inspiration, follow her on Instagram @reinedownphotography and Facebook and her website.
Kimberly Purple: “I come from a very long line of women who ride Harley-Davidson motorcycles. My great grandparents started the oldest dealership in the country called A. D. Farrow Harley-Davidson, back in 1912. Being a “Harley chick” myself, I aspire to make a commercial featuring motorcyclists, riding throughout the beautiful country roads of Ohio. I can’t wait to see what this year has in store for me!”
“I get joy out of displaying the beauty of nature, capturing special family memories and giving God the glory for my new found gift.”
Kimberly Purple
Kimberly Reine Purple, who lives in central Ohio, is an adventurous storyteller of people and nature on land and in the air! She’s a natural light photographer and FAA certified drone pilot.
Teresa Trumbly Lamsam, Ph.D., is an accomplished Social Scientist and Journalist. Passionate about establishing credibility in the digital realm, she champions transparent and trustworthy online content. She is dedicated to producing content that sparks curiosity and nourishes the heart and mind.
This was a great story thoroughly enjoyed it
This was a great story thoroughly enjoyed it
Kimmy you story was great just like your photos!!!!! Love ya girl keep up the great work!
Thank you my dear friend!!!
Kimmy your story is awesome. Best of luck to you.
Thank you for your encouraging words!!!
That is such a great story! It’s amazing what you can accomplish when you follow your passion. Her photography is amazing!
Thank you Brianne for your encouragement!!!
These photos are amazing and what a great story you shared! What a neat fact about your family history with motorcycles.
Thank you Ashley for reading my story!!! I come from a very long line of motorcycle riding women!!
There is no doubt that you have a great eye for photography. Congratulations on your talent and all you have achieved. No wonder you love doing this as you are really good at it and that in itself is an incredible reward. Good on you for helping out people that need it at this terrible time as well.
The drone shot is awesome. I’ve always wanted to do some drone photography!
Nicole, thank you sooo much for reading my story and your words of affirmation! I truly appreciate them!
Heather, it’s never too late to learn! Thank you for reading my story?
Great topic and thanks a lot for sharing with us. It was not quite a surprise though because a speak of inspiration is always an invitation and motivation to try something new. – Knycx journeying
Thank you Knycx Journeying! I truly believe that each one of us a has a unique gift and passion hiding deep down inside of us… we just need the encouragement to make them come alive!
Wow what a great story to read….just been sat in the garden reading this loveliness x
Melanie, thank you for reading my story and doing it while surrounded by the beautiful of nature?? win, win!
Glad you discovered the creative, artistic, evocative art of photography! I would love to do another trip to the U.S., this time visiting the national parks and doing photography.
Ray, thank you for reading my story!!! Yes, the US has many beautiful parks that would make the trip a wonderful photography adventure!
This is a great narrative. You have a wonderful life story, a great story to share. Thanks for sharing yours!
Dear Life Mag Health, thank you for taking the time to read my story and I am very glad you enjoyed it?
thank you for sharing this beautiful story. and your shots are gorgeous!!! <3
Love your name!!! Thank you for your encouragement!!!
That was a beautiful story and beautiful pictures. I have been studying photography for a few months but I am still so new.
Thank you Marie for reading my story! Good for you to be taking up photography!!! Just keep at it… it is truly a life changing thrill?
Yes, for sure the photographs that you have captured are wonderful. The clicks are great.
bravo finding your inspiration and having others respect your gift. i love the aerial photo you took.
Nilakshi, thank you so much for your encouragement?
The Joyous Living, thank you for reading my story! I passed that church on my way out of town one day…it sits up high on a hill and I knew I just knew I would have to come back to capture it’s beauty!
These photos are truly amazing. They should be all used for cover images in magazines! Well done for finding a nice hobby and bringing your skills to perfection.
Ivana, thank you SO much for your encouraging words!
What a beautiful story! Your pictures are BEAUTIFUL too!
So good! I love the photo of the church and cemetery.
Briana, I am so glad you enjoyed my story and the pictures! Thank you for your encouragement!
Amazing gallery of photos! I love looking at photos and be inspired by it. I’ll show these to my friends!
Dear Emman,
Thank you SO much for checking out my photos! I am so glad you enjoyed them!
I like the way you tells us about your interesting journey into photography it’s engaging. Furthermore, your pictures are stunning.
Dear Emman,
Thank you SO much for checking out my photos! I am so glad you enjoyed them!
Great read. Such a great story. Keep up the good work. Photos are amazing!
Dear Natalie,
I am so glad you enjoyed my story and photos! Thank you for taking the time to read it!
That’s amazing and quite an inspiring story as well! All of those photos look amazing and keep up the awesome work.
Dear Lyanna,
Thank you so much for your encouragement!!! I am glad my story left you inspired as well!
Beautiful photos and I love your point from your friend that looking at beautiful photos is a great way to start the day!
Dear Elicitfolio,
Thank you so much for reading my story! And yes, my friend and coworker Katy, would come to work and tell me how she wakes up in anticipation to find peace through my pictures! That brings such great joy to my heart?
What a wonderful story. You definitely have a beautiful eye for photography!
Dear Lily,
Thank you so much for your encouraging words!