Community Highlights: Meet Kim Dalton of KDalton Photography

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kim Dalton.

Hi Kim, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.

I did not set out to be a headshot photographer. I started in the non-profit world, then stayed home once my kids came along. When my youngest hit kindergarten, I figured it was time to make money again. People knew my photos from social media and nudged me to go pro, so I started with high school seniors and families, then branched into city photography, placing work through an art dealer in local law firms, hospitals and the like. Those jobs paid for real equipment that I couldn’t afford without upsetting the family budget. Somewhere in there, people kept asking if I took headshots, so I thought, why not give it a whirl?

That whirl became the whole thing. I never wanted to be a one-stop shop photographer, and it turned out I loved the one-on-one of a headshot session, especially with the “I hate having my picture taken” crowd. They walk in braced like they are headed to the dentist and leave asking when they can do it again. Training under Peter Hurley, as one of a handful of women worldwide to become a Mentor as well as an Associate, sharpened how I coach that moment. These days I photograph professionals, teams, and actors all over Cincinnati and the tri-state, and the 390-plus five-star reviews are almost never about the camera. They are about people being surprised by how much they like a photo of themselves.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Smooth, no. It is easy for other people to tell you to go pro. Actually doing it is a different story.

The hardest part had nothing to do with photography. I came from the non-profit world, not business, so I was learning pricing, gear costs, and how to run the numbers all while the work was already coming in. I also had to get comfortable charging real money for something that started as a favor people knew from my social media. That did not happen overnight. From what I see with other photographers today, I’m not the only one who has struggled with pricing. So many photographers underprice themselves, and you can’t sustain a real business that way. I had to learn my worth in the photography sense. Not only did I have to learn it, but I also had to believe it.

The other struggle was focus. When you can shoot seniors, families, and city work, it is tempting to say yes to all of it, especially when you crave the income and resist the feel of failure. Narrowing down to headshots meant turning away paying work to become known for one thing instead of being pretty good at everything. It was scary at the time, but it was the best decision I made.

We’ve been impressed with KDalton Photography, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
K Dalton Photography is a headshot studio based in Cincinnati, serving the whole tri-state. (I also travel). I photograph professionals, teams, and actors- everyone from a solo business owner who needs one great LinkedIn photo to a company updating an entire staff at once.

What I am known for is getting a great photo out of people who are certain they do not photograph well. That is the whole craft. The gear and the lighting matter, but the real work is expression, and coaching someone into a genuine, confident one in the few minutes they are in front of me.

What sets me apart is the experience and the consistency. For teams, that means matching backgrounds and a look that holds up across the whole roster, even new hires who come in months later. For individuals, it means you actually see your images and choose your favorites during the session, not weeks after. Sessions happen in my studio or on location at your office, whichever is easier for you.

Brand-wise, what I am proudest of is not really a business thing at all. It is the connections I have made with the people I have been privileged to work with. I get a few minutes with someone, often someone who walked in nervous, and somewhere in there we actually connect. That is the part that sticks with me. I am so thankful for the clients who loved their session enough to tell someone else about it. The kind reviews mean a lot, but what they really represent is trust, and people passing my name along to a friend or a coworker. If there is one thing I want your readers to know, it is this. You do not have to be photogenic or love the camera to walk away with a headshot you are genuinely happy with. That part is my job, not yours.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Do not wait until you feel ready, because you never quite will. I started because people kept nudging me, not because I had it all figured out. You learn most of it by doing, a little badly at first, then less badly.

The thing I wish I had known sooner is that the camera is the easy part. Nobody remembers you for your gear. They remember how you made them feel in those few minutes. So learn people first. Get comfortable charging what your work is worth early too, because underpricing does not make you more hireable, it just makes you tired. And pick the thing you love most and become known for that, instead of saying yes to everything out of fear. Narrowing down felt risky to me, and it was the smartest move I made.

Pricing:

• Be confident in the price you set
• Don’t set your price based on what your friends/family is willing to pay you
• Don’t worry about your “competitions” prices

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kdaltonphotography.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kdaltonphoto/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kdaltonphoto
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cinciheadshots/