Meet Kaitlin Kemp | Director + Preditor (Producer/Editor)

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kaitlin Kemp and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kaitlin, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
There wasn’t much thought to it which at the time, was a blessing. I was unhappy at a job where there was no room for me to grow and the work wasn’t challenging. I had been approached by multiple people who asked if I freelanced, etc. I had been hesitant to join the freelance world because I entered the corporate workforce for financial stability, benefits, etc. But in the span of a week I had five people reach out to me and I couldn’t ignore the calls from the universe. I secured one six-month contract and kissed corporate America goodbye. Some might say it was impulsive but for me it was a life raft to getting out of a creatively unfulfilling job.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The thread connecting all of my work is women: working with them, sharing their stories, empowering them. I’ve always been passionate about supporting other women but it wasn’t until a few years ago when I realized I needed to turn that energy inwards. As cliche as it sounds, I experienced an intense breakup that broke me down and forced me into solitude. I recognized my own codependency and how I had spent many years relying on other people (often men) to get me from Point A to Point B. As an artist, especially a young artist fresh out of college, you’re relying on other people to tell you that you’re good enough, talented enough, etc. That is how you get jobs: someone chooses you. And that furthered my codependent tendencies. Overcoming and relinquishing that allowed me to fully step into my artistry and power.I started to explore my own personhood: the flaws, the beauty, the strength. I had never felt like an artist until this point (I was 31!). I began dabbling more in filmmaking and poetry, processing my emotions and experiencing this fiery rage and passion I had. I finally understood that art and the process of art making was an act of expression. It gave me a free and safe space to express myself fully. I am most proud of that because going through the breaking down of myself allowed me to rebuild and see the world and creativity through a different lens. It forced me to show up differently to relationships and the creative process. Because I understood myself better, I was able to understand others better and connect with them and their work in a way that supported and challenged us both. I’ve continued to seek out other people whose work inspires me or whose stories resonate with me. I surround myself with other self-made artists whose visions align with mine but are also unique. Not everyone is a self-starter or desires to create their own work, but that is very much me. In so many ways, I’m just getting started. I want people to know that if any of this resonates with you, reach out. Who knows what a conversation with a stranger could lead to and I am always down for a chat.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
As a New York resident, I am so passionate about creating an ideal itinerary when people visit. And having a week to show folks around is the DREAM. Most people leave the city in the warmer months but there’s something special about summer in the city. For lodging, we’re staying Queenside, since that’s where I live and is undoubtedly the best neighborhood. For breakfast we’re hitting Balancero for the most delicious coffee, Madame Sou Sou’s for quiche, and Between the Bagel for their insane SMB (Seoul Meets Bagel: Bulgogi, egg, cheese, kimchi, and Gochujang mayo)… Also Bench Flour Bakers for amazing baked goods. The Noguchi museum in Queens is my favorite but we’ll also be sure to check out The Museum of Moving Image and The Met (specifically the “Period Rooms”, which showcase historic interiors from various periods and cultures). We’re eating picnic lunches in Central Park, hitting happy hour at Pil Pil on the Upper East Side or downing Aperol Spritzes and pizza at Roey’s in the West Village. Dinner at my favorite, Spaghetti Incident, in Lower East Side, or Pig and Khao, Turntable Chicken Jazz, or Bacaro in Dimes Square. It’s summer, so the beach is mandatory. We’re taking the ferry from Queens either to Atlantic Highlands (great views of the statue of liberty!) or the Rockaways which, isn’t the most aesthetic beach but, it’s a raucous time and they have Caracas–the best Arepas, ever. We’ll spend many nights at the Comedy Cellar or the Bell House in BK, bopping around various bars in my neighborhood like Maggie’s, the Honey Fitz, and Diamond Dogs, and commiserate about being sticky and disgusted by the hot smells of the subway!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’m dedicating my shoutout to my dear friend and fellow freelancer, Ivy Beam. Ivy has the biggest heart for people and honoring their stories: whether it be capturing the tenderness and joy of a wedding ceremony or immersing audiences in other worlds through her documentary work. Ivy has a way of seeing humanity that is so special and I’m excited for more people to experience her vision as she continues to grow her business.

Website: https://kaitlinkemp.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaitlinkemp_/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaitlin-kemp-9542ba178/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kaitlin.kemp.31

Image Credits
Kaitlin Kemp.