since this post is about getting to know a little about the girls behind l&l, i’ll start off by saying that i, like many, started out by having a camera placed in my hands at a young age. i am proud to say i came up through the discipline of film and have made a return to it….albeit slowly. i actually didn’t start photography as a ‘business’ until 4 years ago. up until then i shot pretty much for my own indulgence as well as working as a freelance stylist for tv, features, print. my family means the world to me and they are my biggest supporters. i am quiet, but driven. i prefer lower case, warm weather, and i greatly dislike being cold. i love food, friends, laughter (i’m greek) gardening, all kinds of design and am always looking for art and beauty in my everyday life.
i run my business, kiwi street studios, out of cincinnati, ohio where i specialize in children’s portraiture, children’s editorial, fashion and most recently adding travel/food/lifestyle to the mix, thus creating 513{eats}.
between my family, friends and my many creative outlets…i am truly grateful and most blessed.

As for lemonade and lenses…we are so thrilled at what this teeny tiny little idea has grown in to (greatly due to lexi’s vision) and there is still so much to come. thank you all for being a part of this amazing community!

why did you become a photographer?
i’ve enjoyed all forms of art growing up, but i was never a ‘great’ painter, or an exceptional sculptor. when i expressed an interest in photography my father (who had an amazing eye) gave me a camera.
i quickly found that it was the vehicle that allowed me to express myself the best and something that i felt amazing at.

If you were not a photog what would you want to be?
a creative director, a director, a designer, a chef…anyone or all of them.

Who are you loyal to… canon or nikon? and your fav
my father placed a canon in my hands when i was 15. sentimental, perhaps. but that sealed the deal for me. my fav camera(s) are my original canon ae-1, my hassy and my iphone. for most of my work, i shoot with the original 5d…waiting impatiently for the 5d mark3 to arrive!

What do you shoot and why? (what is your niche?)
i have, like many, tested the waters in most things. what has stayed consistent for me since the beginning has been fashion and beauty. these days i tend to spend more time photographing children-both ‘real’ and equally, very much styled. i still work with models on a regular basis as that is where is do much of my
personal work…and they are usually up for most anything!
recently, i have given in to the fact that i also love preparing. styling and photographing food. think uber luscious cookbooks and travel.

Where do you find inspiration?
absolutely everywhere. there’s a game i’ve always played…i purposefully make myself stay away from where i think everyone else is looking.

Favorite photogs?
helmut newton, irving penn, herb ritts, richard avedon…i grew up devouring their images in the fashion magazines. i also love recently discovered icon, vivian maier as well as other icons like diane arbus, sally mann…really, there are so many that i love.

Explain your dream shoot?
i am lucky enough to say that most of my personal projects are dream shoots. i’ve conceptualized them, art directed them, work together with a crew if need be. it’s a great feeling to see a finished product next to your original sketches.

What would you say is your weakest point in photography?
artificial lighting. i truly feel i avoid it to a fault. something that i am slowly working on.

What is the scariest thing in the world to you?
to wake up without my family.

Name one wacky fact about yourself.
in high school, i was awarded the minnie mouse sound alike award. needless to say, i didn’t go up to receive it and even though i have ‘worked’ on making my voice lower…it’s still pretty high.

*i’ll be producing our july issue which will be themed…children! more details for submissions to come.

website: kiwistreetstudios.com
blog:  kiwistreetstudios.com/blog
facebook: facebook.com/kiwistreetstudios

blogsite:  513eats.com
facebook:  facebook.com/513eats

Why did you become a photog?

If you were not a photog what would you want to be?
A horse or dog trainer.  I love riding and will have a horse again someday.

Who are you loyal to.. canon or nikon? and your fav lens?
Canon (7D) and it’s a tough match between my 35mm and my 85mm but I will have to go with my 35mm!!  But I do have a blast with my new lensbaby 80 edge optic (tilt shift).

What do you shoot and why? (what is your niche?)
I specialize in high school senior portraiture, for girls, only but I work with models every now and again (only girls between the ages of 16 and 24).

Where do you find inspiration?
Pintrest and music videos.  All my styled shoots have been created from inspiration or ideas that came to me while watching a music video then I search and put a board together on Pintrest with all my ideas.

Favorite photogs?
Amanda K, John Urbano, especially his Aerie work, and Elizabeth Messina, especially her work for Ruche. I love editorial inspired work with captured emotion.

Explain your dream shoot?
I can see an open forest with moss all over the trees on a late summer day right after it rained.  There is a light fog and steam coming from the ground cause of the rain and beautiful light being filtered through the trees.  Then all I would need is a girl in a white dress with long hair and sun kissed freckles and I am set.

What would you say is your weakest point in photography?
Flash… I hate flash! Don’t get it, prob never will and I am too stubborn to even try.

What is the scariest thing in the world to you?
Anything crawly…. eww.

Name one wacky fact about yourself.
I talk to my dogs, and yes I know they understand me.

Blogsite : lexivornberg.com
Facebook : facebook.com/lexivornbergphotography

(check back Wednesday for our next bio)