Meet Kelly Blackmon | Photographer

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

Hi Kelly, what’s the end goal, career-wise?
I would like to be working more closely with other artists, photographing projects for their books, and getting back to creating images that tell a story. To spend more time on my travel documentary work, showing at galleries, making my own book, and living abroad.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a photographer that specializes in photographing Interior Design, Architecture and Portraiture. I graduated form Portfolio Center in 20o3, where I focused on a more commercial portfolio. I then began assisting some of the best photographers in the Southeast, while building my own client base. I worked as a freelance photographer for companies like Bank of America, UPS, The Georgia Council for Developmental Dissabilities, and have been featured in The New York Times, LUXE Magazine, Garden & Gun, Atlanta Magazine, and Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles. In my early 30’s I lost one of my biggest clients due to a change in their creative team, and really had to do some soul searching on wether or not I would continue on the commercial path. I found myself needing to assist againt, and that’s when I met Emily Followill, an incredible Interiors and Architectural photographer, and fell in love with the work, especially getting to work closely with other artists, which is something I’ve done throughout my career. In 2013, I began shifting my focus to Interiors, marketing to new clients, and in 2023, Emily offered me a full time position as an associate photographer. Giving up my independence was a huge change for me, but not having to do it all alone has been amazing. I’m grateful to get to work with one of the best in the business, and excited to see where this new chapter takes me.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’d start out at Little Tart Bakery in Summerhill for coffee and breakfast, then walk to Zoo Atlanta, and around Grant Park, then end back in Summerhill for dinner at Little Bear or Southern National.

The Balloon Museum at Pullman Yards is so much fun, and would add on lunch at Elmyr in Little 5 Points, along with shopping at Junkman’s Daughter, Physco Sisters, and catch a show at The Star Bar, of coarse!

I live in East Point, so I love hopping on Marta for a trip downtown. Underground Atlanta has some amazing artists doing weird things almost every night. And you can catch dinner in Castleberry Hill.

I am almost always on the West End Beltline walking my dog and meeting friends for drinks and food at Wild Heaven Brewery, and Monday Night Brewery, or grabbing a bottle of wine at Hop City. You can easily walk or ride bikes down to The Beacon, or over to Boggs Social Club.

No trip to Atlanta would be complete without a night out in East Atlanta Village. Usually starting at Argosy, then onto The Earl, hopefully catch some music at 529, and always closing down MARY’s.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Emily Followill

Website: www.kellyblackmon.com, https://www.emilyfollowill.com/associate-photographer/kelly

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

Image Credits
1. Michi Meko 2- Josephine Design House 3-Anika Austin 4- Josephine Design House 5-Josephine Design House 6-Havana Cuba 7-Havana Cuba 8- Christina Swilley