Meet Keira Wight | Photographer & Graphic Designer

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

Hi Keira, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
As my professional career has expanded, I’ve struggled with this concept. I’m often asked what I do for work, and then about my hobbies, and photography answers both of those questions. I’m passionate about my creative work and truly enjoy doing it despite periods of ongoing, double-and-triple-stacked days, long, weird hours, and more than enough screen time. I’m fortunate to have a day job that offers the stability of a steady income and the freedom to pursue my passions. This opportunity has allowed me to build a network of leaders, coordinators, and creatives who call upon my creative skills and introduce me to more people to expand my community. Ultimately, this means I’m perpetually busy: in addition to the daily job, I’m a photographer for a newspaper company in the greater Pasadena area. I manage the marketing efforts of one local nonprofit organization and consult on social media strategy for another. I freelance as a photographer for all kinds of events, concerts, community gatherings, and parties, and most recently, became an associate producer on a short film.

The balance I try to create for myself is through physical, mental, and emotional investments: I play soccer on multiple recreational teams. I write for myself, read, meditate, and go to therapy. I make a conscious effort to invest time with my friends and family, whether in person or virtually.

I’ve grown to see work-life balance as more of an effort toward a holistic life balance. Much like a wheel, our health is multi-faceted, determined by physical, emotional, intellectual, financial, and spiritual facets. Each of these facets – or spokes – requires attention, or the wheel cannot function as it should. Making sure that I sleep, eat, spend time with people I love, move my body, challenge my brain, and work towards bettering my inner self are all ways in which I try to lead a balanced life. It’s easier said than done, but the work I do to achieve that is more than worth it.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
First and foremost, I’m a photographer. I’m self-taught and with a little guidance and a lot of inspiration, I worked endlessly to put myself in environments where I could hone my skills. I began shooting theatre productions at 17 from the booth as stage manager in high school. I was the editor in chief and a photographer of my yearbook, and photo director for several years of my college yearbook. Here, I had the opportunity to shoot editorial profiles, sporting and student life events, and the highly-anticipated Springfest concerts with artists like DJ 3LAU, Cash Cash, and Bastille. Before I graduated I was working freelance gigs for clients like Lincoln Motor Co. and the Legal Aid Foundation of L.A. My experience in communications, marketing, and digital media led me to work for the Alex Theatre in Glendale, where I had the opportunity to shoot guest speakers and performers like John and Hank Green, Senator Elizabeth Warren, the L.A. Ballet and Gay Men’s Chorus of L.A. At one point, I even became a last-minute photographer for the Ad Age Small Agency Awards, borrowing a camera from the first shooter when the second shooter couldn’t make the event – I got the gig because I was there and knew how to get what the event coordinators wanted.

Since 2019, I’ve worked as a photographer for a local newspaper company and shot over 200 events for galas, concerts, and private events – including a few COVID weddings. By this point, I had also begun working as a designer and received my certificate in graphic design from Otis College of Art and Design.

I mean to share all of this because I develop my work from an informed perspective. My work as a photographer and degree in English both inform my ability to design, and my experiences as a designer and writer contribute to how I shoot as a photographer. I can speak the language of and anticipate the visions of creatives from other disciplines, and being able to communicate with them makes our work better as a whole.

No, it hasn’t always been easy. I’ve persisted, pulled all-nighters, and driven all over Los Angeles. I’ve gotten it wrong before. But I maintain that my interdisciplinary approach is unique to the work I do, and I’ve developed a network that continues to grow with the right clients and portfolio of projects. I care deeply about the connections I make and always strive to achieve the best possible solution for my clients’ visions. Whether it’s a small theatre production in Burbank, a festival, or a short film about mental health, I care that my work matters to the audiences that experience it.

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?
Los Angeles is a big place, and, given enough planning and time, one can hit a lot of really great spots without having to break the bank (but that’s also an option). There is never a shortage of things to do, see, and eat. Fly into LAX and take the carpool overpass onto the 110 North; you’ll get my favorite view of Los Angeles – but what makes it special is that it’s fleeting because there’s no stopping on that roadway.

Or, start in the northwest corner: Cafe on 27 in Topanga Canyon has gone from a tucked-away neighborhood roadside cafe to a hotspot with a view. Here, the 1970s Fleetwood Mac vibes are strong with the history of music and art imbued in the hillside and the food, both rich in quantity and quality, is worth the drive. Head south and you’ll reach the Getty Villa, where afterward you can grab a bite at a local spot or do what I do – cold cuts from the grocery store and have a picnic out the trunk of your car overlooking the ocean.
Next, head east and traverse the 101 into Beverly Hills, where you’ll get to explore the Academy Museum, LACMA, and the Original Farmers Market. Venture into Hollywood and you’ll find the Griffith Observatory – not just for stargazers as the view of LA is great on a clear day. Grab a drink at Jay’s Bar on Sunset; it’s across the way from the wall that is the cover of Elliot Smith’s Figure 8 album cover. Head into the greater downtown area and you’ve got a double-header of the California Science Center and Natural History Museum next door to each other. Check in for a nosh at Smorgasbord at the Row on Sundays, wander around Little Tokyo for ramen at Daikokuya or izakaya at Bizan, or visit Olvera Street and tour the art deco architecture in Union Station and surrounding areas. Finish off with a drink or mocktail and Mediterranean cuisine at Levant Bistro, or snag a gyro and some delicious fries at Spitz in Eagle Rock. Farther north in the foothill communities, you’ll find a fantastic view of the San Gabriel Valley from the parking lot of the La Cañada Country Club (who would have thought?). The foothills are also great places for hikes of all types. Unless you struggle with seasonal allergies, the Huntington Library and Botanic Gardens is a tranquil oasis with an expansive collection of greenery of all types – but there’s a museum and newly-reopened high tea room to enjoy as well, so it’s a good spot for all. Pasadena has a wealth of great places to eat: Lucky Boy’s breakfast burritos are bigger than the average shoe; Union is the perfect intimate dining experience for the pasta lover; and Grandview Palace is my go-to for combination fried rice, with a vegetable roll to snack on en route home. Start your morning with Sierra Donuts, located on the border of Pasadena and Sierra Madre and fill up on sushi, udon, or ramen at Mikomi in Monrovia – the only place east of Pasadena I know that expanded their business during the pandemic. The only thing that might supersede a Mikomi dinner is the abundance of offerings that the Monrovia Street Fair offers every Friday night for a family-friendly, community event.

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?
I’m grateful for all of the connections I’ve made these last 15 years – half of my life – personally and professionally, but there are a few individuals who have been a part of my life so substantially that I wouldn’t be where I am, nor the person I am, without them. It all began with Jude Lucas as my film and media instructor during my freshman year of high school. When I joined the technical theatre crew, I also joined her theatre family. This connection brought me to Arroyo Repertory Theatre as their marketing manager, a position I hold to this day. More importantly, though, she has been the grounding foundation on which I’ve developed my values as a person. Her love, wisdom, and drive toward making the world better are just some of the characteristics I strive to emulate.
Elissa Glickman, former CEO of Glendale Arts, is a prime example of unyielding, empowered leadership. I’ve always admired her ability to build lasting, impactful community connections while leading a team that challenges the norm and creates spaces that promote diversity and openness. She encouraged me to pursue my photography and gave me opportunities to shoot shows at the Alex Theatre that helped propel my portfolio forward.
Additionally, I value my professional and personal relationships with other members of my community including Magdalena Davis, Franke Santos, Tracie Lanham, Nina Crowe, Charlie Plowman, Mickie Sullivan, and Angela Rubien, all of whom have supported and encouraged the development of my work, pursuit of my passion, and growth of myself as my own person.

Website: https://www.keirawight.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/krphotography.la/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keira-wight-4a7837a5/

Image Credits
All images shot by Keira Wight.