Dreamer Magazine

When you take a look at our “Nether-Land” feature it is easy to see this isn’t your run of the mill kids shoot.  The styling is impeccable.  The planning exact.  It is more than just a photographer taking pretty pictures, it is an entire entity.  Scenes like this though are what Hey Kid! {Kenney Rome} is all about.  They are a photographer/stylist duo that have combined forces to make these drool worthy sessions their job.  We thought we would ask them a couple of questions and let them share how they came together and what makes them tick.

What gave you the idea to start Hey Kid! {Kenney Rome}?

Well, it came about pretty organically really. Heather and I met during a photo shoot for Babiekins Magazine and only exchanged a few friendly words in the craziness of the day; but after that, we were able to work together many times and formed a great working friendship. Designers began to notice our work as a team and asked us to style and photograph their look books and products. A light bulb went off and we knew we had something special on our hands. We love working together and are really in sync when it comes to conceptualizing.

What do you offer?

We specialize in children’s fashion imagery…such as look books, editorials, product shoots, as well as styled photo shoots for the every day family. We think of ourselves as a visual pick me up to your brand!

How did Heather get into styling?

You could say that i got into styling when i was tiny. My earliest memories are of “styling” my dolls. I would dress my dolls, set them up and then walk away. I grew up with a mother that is very thrifty and crafty, so making props and items for shoots comes naturally for me. I went to college and studied fashion which led to an internship as a stylist at a trade magazine. After my sons were born i took a break from styling. When my daughter was born I had a new “doll” to style. I opened a children’s vintage shop on etsy 3 Ring Circus and have been busy dressing kids up ever since.

Do you have a DREAM scenario that you’d love to shoot one day?

Holy smokes…well… I would have to say I have A LOT of dream scenarios! I have creative A.D.D and get inspired on a daily basis. I know this is a lame answer but I have so many concepts in my brain that I couldn’t pin point just one. I guess the dream would simply be to take one of my most hair-brained ideas and see it through to the end with every resource at my disposal. As a photographer, I would love to shoot in mystical and exotic locations every day but those dang NO TRESPASSING signs get in the way a lot!

Heather? What about you ?

A lot of my dream shoots are all about location. One is a secret colorful spot in the desert. Maybe if Jessie and i get past those no trespassing signs we can make it a reality.

Thank you so much for sharing with us and for being a part of Dreamer! We love your work and are so excited to share it with our readers

Their blog: www.kenneyrome.blogspot.com

Their Facebook: www.facebook.com/kenneyrome

I knew when I came across Nomuu and couldn’t help but go back several times in one afternoon to gaze at her beautiful pieces, that we needed to have her work with us at Dreamer.  I was beyond delighted when she agreed and had a happy smile the entire time I was doing her feature.  And, being we are Dreamer and all, we were overjoyed when she agreed to send us a little snippit inside her world and the inspirations that influence such whimsy!

I started these illustrations as a little bit of a joke actually….sounds horrible doesn’t it?. I was designing bags at the time and that was my focus, and then I saw people were selling art online, and thought, ‘hey let me have a go at drawing something’. So after years of being petrified of drawing, I gave it a go and just let it flow. I then popped up some drawings up online on Etsy. Then just totally ignored them for a while, but then I noticed that people kept on asking about them eventually I realized, that my illustration work had found me.

People often ask me if there a some lovely back-stories to these characters and I unfortunately have to say, ‘no’. The characters are really are just quick little random sketches that I draw and sometimes they work, sometimes they don’t.

Having said that, I am working with a screenwriter where we developing script (hopefully for an animation series), and the character ‘Livey’ from the ‘Lively in the woods’, is one of the main characters. So she now has a story behind her, but it’s all at ‘hush, hush’ stage

I really don’t know exactly where the characters come from, all I can think is that they inspired from a little bit of everything in my life. Plus I am a big kid at heart.

I was definitely inspired from very bold, simple characters as a child, like Miffy, Madeline, Mickey Mouse and also Beatrix Potter characters (although I wouldn’t call Beatrix Potter characters simple). I really love simple, basic design, nothing overly complex, and I think that shows in my characters as well. I mean that’s what I was attracted to as a kid, and that’s what stuck with me, so I guess I had follow what I gravitated towards.

I also use a bit of texturing in my illustrations. I use linen, fabric and paper in some of the designs, I think that came from my interior design studies. I knew someday the course would come in handy!

I also love animals and nature, that has always been a strong focus in any design work I do. I think that is inherently in me as well. There is something about nature that seems to work well with me.  I also work in a museum, so I have a lot of inspiration around me. I get to see amazing rare books of birds, mammals, I get to see hidden treasures that other people don’t know about…and I have a whole lot of mammals (which I can draw reference from) and dinosaurs downstairs to say, ‘hello’ to

Starting these illustrations has taken me on an amazing journey of self discovery. I’ve learnt to give things a go, to stop being so hard on myself, I know what works suits me and what doesn’t. It also has helped me believe in myself.

So if I can give any advice to anyone wanting to peruse something creative, I say do it. Try anything and everything, and you just may be surprised to find out what you are good at.

You can find more from Nomuu in her store: www.shop.nomuu.com, on facebook: www.facebook.com/nomuu and on her tumblr: www.nomuu.tumblr.com

ps… The winner of The Happy Family Movement Winter Adventure Guide is Nicole LoBlue!! Stay tuned for more give aways coming soon!!!