A snapshot of Shane Kiser and the arts community he serves
Educator-turned-photographer Shane Kiser connects community and the arts at the new Art District Collective. Kiser vows to grow a positive collective in Tallahassee that supports becoming the best version of yourself. The collective will hold a gathering for First Saturday of the month starting at 7 p.m.
Pivoting toward focus
Becoming a parent changes your life. It provides perspective and insight not only to the world but to yourself. The kind of insight that shifts your purpose and creates a new path to travel upon. Florida-born Shane Kiser began his career as an elementary and community educator 10 years ago. “I enjoy watching the spark of learning,” says Kiser.
Yet with the birth of his first child came a pivot in Kiser’s purpose that he did not expect. He purchased a camera, and with it came a new focus.
“My first camera was the Canon T5. I purchased it from Craigslist. I actually got that because my wife and I just wanted to take pictures. Literally just for us to take pictures of ourselves and trips,” shares Kiser. “One day, I just decided I wanted to learn. I took it off auto and put it on manual. It’s one thing to learn how to manipulate the camera, and it’s another to learn why things are the way they are.”
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A self-proclaimed graduate of "YouTube Academy," Kiser used his ability to learn and educate as a way of discovering his voice in the world of photography. For him, it is all about capturing that ephemeral moment on film.
“This was so wild. I did a family session for a husband and wife. The wife wanted to include her two daughters and two grandkids. She also wanted to include the grandfather because she felt like this would be a great time to get his family photo. We took the family photo, and a couple of months later, Granddad passed away.”
Similarly, Kiser’s mission behind his boudoir photography resides in empowerment and self-love. Kiser recounts a shoot with a young woman who thanked him for how much the shoot had helped her mentally. Kiser was struck by the desire to ignite people to become the best version of themselves. This conversation solidified his interest in photography and his desire to transition into the world of photography full-time.
Capturing connection
Inspiration hits in many forms at many times. “If a painter gets a crazy idea out of nowhere, they can pull out their paintbrush and start going,” says Kiser. “I don’t always shoot for pay. There are times when I have this idea and… I put this idea out [to see] if someone is interested.” Kiser finds inspiration through other photographers on Instagram and art groups. He aims not to copy but instead to incorporate modes of lighting or angles used by them in his work.
Although Kiser admits he can not pass up a good sunset, portraits, and events are where his creative eye takes him. He has shot at the Capital City Chamber of Commerce’s Coffee and Commerce, Vino Beano, and small business-owned meet-ups for creatives in Tallahassee.
When asked how one catches the perfect shot, Kiser admits it is not something one can control. “Sometimes you end up missing something else because you think this person is about to do something.” In his portraits, Kiser believes connection captures the moment. Be it a connection with a family member or to oneself, Kiser’s responsibility as a photographer is to make this connection with the camera.
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Southside’s artistic addition
The Railroad Square Art District has been expanding, and with it, the reach of artists in the south side of Tallahassee. Kiser rode that wave in. Before opening his studio space, Kiser shared a studio with Bob O'Lary and Katie Clark in Railroad Square.
He now resides within a new area of southside Tallahassee called the Art District Collective, a set of historic warehouses that have been transformed into a collective working space for artists and creative entrepreneurs alike.
The buildings at 225 E. Pershing Street (former “Junk King” with owner relocating) and 231 E. Pershing Street (former Florida Transmission with owner retiring) are planned as a co-working space for artists and creative small businesses. Kiser is grateful for the individual studio. He finds his clients feel safe and at peace in a private space. Ever the educator, Kiser offers his space and knowledge to the community through his new studio space or artistic guidance.
Railroad Square has hosted its First Friday Festivals for 20 years, inviting people to explore the open galleries and shops, moving music, and fantastic food. Kiser delightedly shared that The Art District Collective is following in the footsteps of its mother site to offer First Saturdays held at The Collective.
Kiser excitedly raves about the event, “We have a food truck, Taqueria Miranda; we have local vendors who sell and make things [like] paintings and clothing. For people who don’t have a storefront, we invite them to set up in our large common area.”
The summer looks bright as Kiser and all artists of the Art District Collective continue to gather for a positive focus on good music, food, and people.
If you go
What: First Saturdays at The Art District Collective
When: Every first Saturday of the month starting at 7 p.m.
Where: 231 E Pershing St.
Cost: Free admission
Contact: The Art District Collective at artdistrict.com/collective | info@artdistrict.com
Dr. Christy Rodriguez de Conte is the feature writer for the Council on Culture & Arts. COCA is the capital area’s umbrella agency for arts and culture (tallahasseearts.org).
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: A snapshot of how Shane Kiser connects art, community
