God’s blessings “Reine Down”

a tree at dusk with beautiful blue and pink night skies provides photography inspiration

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.

photography inspiration on a lake at sunset

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!

drone shot of a white church in Ohio surrounded by a cemetery

“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.  

Woman on motorcycle

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.


Reinedown

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47 Comments

  1. Kimmy you story was great just like your photos!!!!! Love ya girl keep up the great work!

  2. That is such a great story! It’s amazing what you can accomplish when you follow your passion. Her photography is amazing!

  3. These photos are amazing and what a great story you shared! What a neat fact about your family history with motorcycles.

  4. 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.

  5. 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

    1. 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!

  6. Wow what a great story to read….just been sat in the garden reading this loveliness x

  7. 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.

    1. 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!

  8. 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.

  9. I like the way you tells us about your interesting journey into photography it’s engaging. Furthermore, your pictures are stunning.

  10. Beautiful photos and I love your point from your friend that looking at beautiful photos is a great way to start the day!

    1. 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?

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