Kivvi Roberts - june 24, 2018

kivvirachelle.com | @kivvirachelle | @kivvisworld

As a photographer, model, director and stylist – Kivvi uses her camera to create a world that is wholly her own. A world that often intertwines these elements, and makes for an interesting story to tell.  Here’s all things Kivvi – taken from our interview last week!

RN: How did you first get into photography? Who/ what influenced you at the time?

KR: I got my first DSL 7 years ago, but it wasn’t until about 3 or 4 years ago that I started taking it seriously. I used to watch my best friend from back at home take photos, and studied his eye. I told myself that I could do that too. I started experimenting and in the process developed my own eye.

RN: How would you describe your aesthetic or signature style? How has that evolved and changed over time?

KR: I love color, I love tones, I love lighting too… harsh shadows, that sort of thing. I want try to tell a story in each shot or evoke some sort of emotion. Whether it’s about the person or whether it’s about an object – or even just how the light lays. I just want it to be based on getting some sort of reaction. I love shooting portraits, and cityscapes, and candid street style shots. I am also interested in fashion photography, that is something I would like to work my way into.

RN: What do you find most inspiring about photography?

KR: That connection that there sometimes is between photographer and audience. That one shot could move someone into action, or have them feel deeply about something. You can build different types of relationships with people; whether they’re modeling for you or collaborating with you. That’s how you grow and learn – by interacting with all different personality types. Sometimes those people can impart their vision, so it kind of meshes with yours and you start to change and see things in a different way. It can show you a world you never knew existed.

RN: Originally from Kentucky, what made you want to move to NYC?

KR: The energy. NYC has a distinct and attractive energy to it. The pace is also more my speed as I get bored easily. And what better place for an artist to be?

RN: If you had to choose between portraiture, street photography, travel, food & drink, and engagement/ family—which do you enjoy shooting the most?

KR: Street, because sometimes I can get a little of everything in there.

RN: You recently went to Cuba. What was that like?

Amazing. Hot. There is a charm and beauty to the city and it’s people.

RN: I think your self portraits on @kivvisworld are very interesting and beautiful. What is the thought process behind each shoot?

KR: Thank you. I try to play with angles and movement if I can. I usually try and figure out the tone and color scheme I want to go for. Then I style. I envision what I’d be doing in each outfit and try and shoot that way. Sometimes it’s more of just a reason for me to “become” somebody else.

RN: How would you describe your personal style?

KR: I love doing monochromatic looks. That’s my thing lately. So, I’ll do all navy, all cream, all bright. This is my first time doing olive green. I wasn’t always like that. I do still like my bright colors and pops of colors, but I prefer to do it as an accent for the most part. I think that overall that makes the look a little more interesting. I also like simple, clean cuts and lines. I think that has to do with working at a Parisian brand for the past 6 years. It adds a chic element to it, that never seems over the top or contrived. I don’t like how in fashion people just throw on a bunch of labels and think that, that’s style. To me thats not a style.

I also prefer that one leaves a little to the imagination. I think of women who feel like they have to show skin to look good or sexy or whatever. You can wear a turtleneck and pants, and just by the way you carry yourself and move, that can also be just as sensual and sexy. It’s all about how confident you are in what you are wearing… when it’s put together really well, it should read as effortless. Maybe you did put in a whole lot of thought and time, but just because how you paired it, it looks effortless.

RN: Where do you see fashion going in the future?

KR: It seems as though there are a lot more lines that are keeping in with the clean, simple silhouettes.

RN: Lastly, as a strong, confident woman in 2018. If you could give your younger self advice, what would it be?

KR: All of this stuff you think is important won’t mean a thing. You will struggle with your self confidence from time to time, but love yourself hard and don’t ever stop. And keep doing what you’re doing creatively. Don’t ever stop that either. Keep learning, evolving and growing.