Point Loma resident, Kim Belverud, was recently honored by the National Association of Professional Child Photographers (NAPCP) with the prestigious title of Photographer of the Year for 2021.
Belverud is the owner and creative artist behind Kim Belverud Photography, LLC. She specializes in lifestyle family, couples, and maternity photography. Nearly all of her sessions are set outdoors at beaches, parks, and fields around the county. Belverud aims to capture authentic connections between the families that come in front of her lens.
Belverud received a phone call from the NAPCP co-founder, Alice Park, who let her know the news personally. While this honor was something Belverud had been working toward, it was still a lovely surprise to get the news.
“I’m thrilled to have been selected for such a distinct honor. I feel incredibly grateful for this achievement and the support I’ve had in my business journey to get to this point,” she said.
Coming from the software industry where she worked as a quality assurance tester for 17 years, she started her business and made the switch to a full-time photographer in 2017.
Belverud has been an active member of the NAPCP for the last few years. She has been featured in its monthly magazine, Inspired, multiple times. In particular, she authored an article about the “Top 5 Reasons” why she loves black-and-white photography.
She has a master photographer certification in family photography. Additionally, she has made NAPCP’s Top 100 Artist list on multiple occasions; placed first in last year’s Inspired Gallery Event and Print Competition; and then placed second, third, and merit in the International Image Competition. Belverud also takes an active role in helping to support the community, all of which culminated in this ultimate achievement.
NAPCP has awarded the Photographer of the Year designation since 2010. It is the highest achievement that is given within the member-only organization. Belverud is the first Californian as well as the first Asian to receive it.
“I’m proud to represent both communities. Diversity is important to me and I want to ensure that any organization I’ve associated with shares those same values,” she said.
Belverud has lived in San Diego for nearly 11 years. “I’ve met and worked with many other local photographers in the area. I’m very humbled to be selected amid a community of so much talent.”
She loves working and collaborating with other local photographers and businesses. Supporting small local businesses is important to her, as is giving back to the community. One way she is doing that is by working on personal projects about adoption, grief, and motherhood. She’s hoping to draw connections between others and use photography as a way of connecting and healing through these projects.
To contact her, learn more about her work, or participate in one of these projects, visit www.kimbelverud.com or Instagram and Facebook @KimBelverudPhotography.
