Lead Artisan & Creator of Head & Heart Photography
Kiel Rucker
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Kiel Rucker
Lead Artisan and Creator of Head & Heart Photography
I moved to Santa Barbara from a small, Northern California town in the foothills of The Sierras 2 weeks after high-school and have been here ever since. Though I’ll never be a native, after 20 year here I’m definitely a local, and Santa Barbara feels more like home at this point than the town I grew up in.
I’ve been a wedding photographer here for over 10 years now (Kiel Rucker Photography) and have made amazingly talented friends and become part of a truly, world-class wedding network. I’ve developed a pretty keen eye for photography, talent, personality and potential over time, and I’ve also learned a lot about the importance of finding the best match between a couple or client and their photographer.
Head & Heart Photography is the culmination of all the experience and knowledge I’ve gained about both sides of the photographer/client equation, boiled down into an online based studio that acts as a liaison by finding and generating high quality opportunities for our member photographers to demonstrate their talent and to hone their craft, all the while offering their clients an amazing photography experience from initial inquiry to the the delivery of their final images for the best value they can find for their dollar. It’s a new approach and opportunity for Santa Barbara associate photographers that I truly believe is beneficial for everyone involved in any way.
Ultimately, Head & Heart is a locally focused, limited membership photography collective that I’ve created with the purpose of finding and lifting-up talented, local photographers and connecting them with couples and clients looking to book a photographer whose work and personality they can be confident in.
Each member photographer has gone through an application process that consists of a detailed online questionnaire requiring information about their experience, skills, goals and more, an interview with me, and (when opportunity permits) shooting with me on one of my own weddings or projects to see how they work with people. I do not invite a photographer to be a part of Head & Heart Photography unless I am confident in their talent, personality, experience and their potential to grow as individuals and photographers.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Head & Heart Associate Photographers
What is your role as the creator/owner of Head & Heart Photography?
My primary role and responsibility to member photographers is to seek out and generate as many high quality leads for them as possible. Equally as important is that each and every Head & Heart client has the best experience possible from initial inquiry all the through the delivery of final images and beyond. Another of my roles for couples and clients is to facilitate fluid communication between themselves and their photographer, to make sure that expectations are clear on both ends of the agreement, and to take charge of all print and product deliveries after the event or session.
Are Head & Heart Photographers Employees?
H&H photographers are not employees – they are independent contractors, each of whom carries their own liability insurance (as is required by many venues), has their own photography equipment, and with whom clients and couples will communicate with regarding package details, availability, logistics and coordination after booking a package with them. Though of course I’m always available for questions.
How do I learn more about the Head & Heart Photographers and book a package?
Get in touch! Below is a link that will take you the photographer profile page. From their you can read a quick bio about each photographer and see a small sampling of their work. After finding a photographer whose work and personality you connect with, click on the “inquire” button on their profile and fill out and inquiry form with all the information you have about your plans so far and they will get back to you ASAP with their ability and to answer any other questions or thoughts you may have.