Supporting local businesses is a passion of ours so we thought we’d kick off a new series of blogs highlighting local businesses we’ve worked with in the past.
The first business we’d like to feature is Kevin Bergen Photography. Kevin is a local photographer that spends his free time capturing the beauty of the South Bay. We recently spoke with him in order to better understand who he is and what drives his love of photography.
Q: How did you originally get started in photography? A: "I took a basic photography class in high school that rattled my visual creativity. When digital came out, I found my element. One of my most relaxing and enjoyable pastimes is getting up early on a Saturday to shoot without knowing where I'm going. I get in the car and just go, and that has produced some of my most popular images."
Q: Why South Bay? Did you grow up here? A: "I have lived in the South Bay all my life. The longer I live here (and the more I shoot), the more I appreciate this little piece of heaven I call home."
Q: What's your favorite part about living in and documenting the South Bay? A "I have recently spent a lot of my peaceful time at or near the beach. The grandeur of the ocean and the sounds, sights, and feel of nature there rejuvenate me."
Q: What photo is your favorite from all the ones that you've taken? A: "One of my favorite images is Redondo Beach L.A. I shot this in July 2009 right near the Knob Hill stairs as a panorama in 5 separate images. I currently have a 4-foot print of this image hanging in my office, and nearly everyone comments on it when they visit."
Q: Which photo is most popular on your website/gets the most orders? A: "My most popular image is Esplanade (seen on the right). I shot this about 15 minutes before sunrise with a long exposure so the sensor could soak up the rich color. There is no enhancement in this image--that's really how the camera captured it."
Q: If you weren't a photographer, what would you be doing?A: "As a matter of fact, I don't shoot for a living. I shoot as a pastime, and it brings me great enjoyment. My passion and livelihood is helping couples repair and strengthen their relationships and helping men recover from sexual compulsiveness. You can imagine that these two areas often intersect, and as a licensed therapist, I feel very fulfilled when I go home at night knowing that I made a difference that day. My photography plays into my counseling work because I've long said that our emotional health is greatly influenced by the degree of creativity we engage in."
You can contact Kevin and view more of his photos via his website, BERGENphotography.com. If you’re on Instagram, be sure to follow him: kb2001.
Do you have a favorite business you’d like us to feature on our blog? Leave a comment below or shoot us an email at info@southbayresidential.com. They could be highlighted next!