WORK EXPERIENCE
Freelance Photographer
Kim Shay Creative / 2008-present
Photographer with 13 years of photographic experience as a lead photographer and photo assistant, both in studio and on site. I love working with people and capturing their special occasions as well as creating beautiful staged imagery.
· Product photographer for OTG|247, a luxury bag line, working remotely with the owner and marketing specialist to create a cohesive product style. I conceptualized and styled images for catalog as well as social media campaigns.
· Special events and wedding photographer offering services such as planning a timeline, consulting with the clients regarding aesthetic, and getting to know the clients to make them feel comfortable on their special day.
· I am fully trained in traditional photo processes in the dark room as well as being up to date in digital image processes including image digitization, producing fine art prints, and creating and maintaining a website.
· I have in studio experience using and maintaining studio lighting equipment and am always interested in learning new technology.
Owner
The Fancy Llama / 2015 — present
Owner of an online business selling handmade jewelry and curated vintage and contemporary clothing.
· I work with fine silver and semi-precious stones to create one of a kind jewelry which I sell online and at small shows.
· On a daily basis I source inventory, catalog my goods, photograph all items, and publish on various online platforms.
· I maintain a budget, do my own accounting by keeping track of all expenses and profits.
· I am an expert in shipping and logistics of all sold items.
· I have cultivated many good relationships with buyers online, leading to repeat sales and excellent reviews.
Ranch Hand, Events Specialist
Catalyst Ranch / 2021 - 2022
Catalyst Ranch is a licensed corporate event space. We also do smaller events and private functions.
· Assist clients with set up and tear down of events.
· Answer any and all questions regarding the space.
· Facilitate timely arrival of meals throughout the day, coordinating with caterers and all delivery persons.
· Assure that clients are able to create and follow a daily schedule.
Gallery Assistant & Events Manager
Mars Gallery / 2007 – 2019
Mars Gallery was an art gallery, private event space, and frame shop in the West Loop. My role was to assist the owner with any and all tasks needed for everyday gallery operations. I was also responsible for planning and executing private event rentals.
· I managed daily gallery tasks for all aspects of the business such as sales, paperwork, accounting, and customer relations.
· I communicated with the artists to curate our exhibitions and maintain long term relationships. My responsibilities included organizing transport of the artwork; photographing and cataloging all pieces; providing framing options for artwork as needed; installing the shows; and packing and shipping sales.
· I worked with clients to custom frame their artwork and memorabilia and consulted onsite for installation of certain pieces.
· I met event rental customers to plan the details and set up for their private events. I was present at each event to make sure that the everything went according to plan and helped with any last minute changes.
· I set up and worked at least 2-4 events per week, including weddings, corporate meetings, fundraisers, photo shoots, and more.
· I consulted with our clients to create personalized timelines for their event, ensuring that all set up and tear down was done on schedule to adhere to a budget and the guests were welcomed in and sent home in a friendly manner.
Studio Manager
Peter Mars Authentic / 2007 – 2017
Peter Mars is a fine art screen printer whose studio was located in the building of Mars Gallery. I joined the studio as an intern and after 3 months became the Studio Manager for Peter Mars Authentic, working with Peter and other artists for 10 years to produce artwork and imagery to be sold worldwide.
· I managed a team ranging from 2-8 studio assistants depending on the project, planning and implementing a production schedule to create over 200 unique artworks on canvas and paper every year.
· We packed and shipped Peter’s artwork to galleries and shows around the world.
· I organized, photographed, cataloged, and inventoried all artwork in the Peter Mars collection.
· I helped to source supplies, shipping materials, special project resources, and digital printing services.
Barista
Espresso Royale / 2002 - 2007
Barista and night manager at a small chain coffee shop.
· I worked various positions as an opener, shift leader, and night manager.
· My everyday duties POS system register, training employees, taking inventory, and supervising daily operations.
· When the manager went out of town, I was in charge of banking, ordering supplies, and supervising a team of 20+ employees.
Registrar’s Assistant
Krannert Art Museum / 2005 - 2006
Student assistant to museum Registrar Kathleen Johnson.
· Tasked with performing a full inventory of the museum permanent object collection and print collection, including the handling, identification, labeling, and organization of all objects.
· I was responsible for photographing, scanning, and organizing the museum slide archive.
· I maintained and organized the Filemaker museum object catalog and exhibition catalog library room helping to transfer data from hard copy to the Filemaker online database
Slide Library Assistant
Ricker Art and Architecture Library / 2005
The Ricker Slide Library is the source of all visual resources for university arts lectures and research imagery.
· I was in charge of organizing the slide collection in a card catalog system and in the excel database.
· I learned the craft of making and repairing slides.
· I photographed copy stand images from literature to create educational slides.
· I was responsible for the conversion of the 35mm slide collection to digital archive.
Co-chair, Illini Union Board Art Gallery
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign / 2005
The Illini Union Art Gallery was a student run art exhibition space in the UIUC Student Union. All artwork was curated from student work and university private donors.
· We directed the organization of artists, artwork, and budget for each exhibition.
· We supervised a staff of student volunteers.
· We were responsible for the promotion of each show and for organizing opening receptions.
· We organized an art auction with all proceeds benefitting a women’s housing center.
EXTRACURRICULARS
One Inspired Evening Annual Silent Auction
Inspiration Corporation’s Annual Benefit Gala and Art Auction Planning Committee, Art Jury, & Installation Organizer 2012- Present
Inspiration Corporation is a nonprofit working to help the homeless and poor in Chicago through the provision of social services, work training, and housing. One Inspired evening is their annual fundraising silent art auction, raising over $100,000 for their cause.
Catalyst Ranch, Camp Boundless Annual Art Retreat
Planning Committee & Workshop Leader 2018, 2019
Camp Boundless is an annual two day technology free creative workshop where participants are urged to put away their phones and join in on over 30 different artist led workshops.
EDUCATION
Bachelor’s Fine Art,
Art History
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Bachelor's Fine Art,
Jewelry & Metalsmithing
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
TEFL Certified
eTips certified
Basset Certified
SKILLS
Professional
• Attention to Detail
• Creating Timelines
• Enhancing Quality
• Sourcing Vendors
• Managing Databases
• Proofreading Documents
• Inventory Management
• Customer Relations
• Organization Strategies
• Friendly Leadership
• Production Scheduling
• Employee Communication
• Working Independently
• Project Management
Technical
• Adobe Photoshop
• Adobe Illustrator
• Adobe Lightroom
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Adobe Acrobat
• Filemaker Pro
• Google Workspace
• Squarespace
• Social Media Platforms
• Constant Contact