On the verge of graduating high school, I had the rest of my life all figured out: I was going to pursue a degree in photography, with a minor in business (at a college in Tennessee, no less, that was very crucial to my life's plan). Upon graduation, I'd travel the world, working for myself and capturing my adventures through the camera lens. Life was going to be amazing.

God had different plans for me, however. I wasn't able to make my great escape to the Volunteer state for college, and as I accepted the fact that I'd be sticking close to home for the next four years, I began to learn about and to take interest in graphic design, a field that, up until that point, I never even knew existed.

Through my studies at the University of Southern Indiana and industry experience, I have learned how crucial design, advertising, and marketing are in the identity and success of a company. On a personal level, I still love photography, and often incorporate my own photography into my designs, but graphic design has become an art form that allows me not only to share my story but the stories of others as well.

Four years after declaring my big plans for life, I hold a degree in Graphic Design and Advertising from the University of Southern Indiana. Currently living and working in my hometown, I have the opportunity to use my skills to share what is important to me and to give both individuals and companies a chance to do the same. Life is pretty amazing.

Say hello to two very integral parts of my design process, my three-year-old cocker spaniels Phemie and Boone. (Phemie's the one stealing the show in the filmstrip to the left.) Phemie is named after Euphemia Texas Ashby King from one of my favorite novels, True Women by Janice Woods Windle, and my dad named Boone after one of his favorite icons of the frontier, Daniel Boone. Their nose for adventure isn't nearly as keen as their namesakes', but they're lovable nonetheless!

When I first joined the online world at 12 years old, creating my first screen name was a big deal. I racked my brain but simply could not think of something that represented me, and using my name was simply out of the question. My first screen name had to be new and exciting; it had to say, "This is Kimberly," without, of course, actually saying it. My dad suggested "SmiLynn" as a play off my middle name and part of my personality. Nearly 10 years later, the old nickname seemed fitting as I sought a name for my online portfolio!

A big thank you to Matt Vickers of Vickers Photo for humoring me and snapping some pictures when I got the design inspiration for graduation announcement and website design.

Also, thank you to Stacey Smith for the photo of Phemie and Boone!

My love of nature and landscape photography has been heavily influenced by Tennessee-based Christian photographer Ken Jenkins. I highly recommend his work.