I was born in Westminster, CA and am lucky enough to have grown up in a functional household. I have an older brother and sister whom I love!

Ever since I was about 12 years old I actually have loved cooking and working with food. I focused on food and becoming a chef for the past 7 years. Working in restaurants, writing a cookbook, and I even made it on Fox’s show Masterchef (www.weekendgourmetfood.com). You would think that I am crazy for changing my career at this point, but I found photography through my food! I would love to style and take pictures of my food and It was about two years ago that I realized how much more I loved photography than food.

My girlfriend of 4 years, Siena, is a model and is where I started to get serious with my photography. She was my subject for the first year and then I began a headshot business (www.headshotsbykemp.com) and also a general photography business (www.photologyphoto.com). Having worked with some veteran photographers and doing shoots for modeling agencies I have developed a love for photographing people. There is just something about connecting with a person and making them feel and look their best.

As you probably guessed, I have been struggling with clinical depression for a good portion of my life. Before I met my girlfriend I was a mess. I didn’t know what was wrong with me. My life consisted of sitting on my floor and starring while contemplating the worst situations for everything. Self loathing and worthlessness filled my mind. No one knew and no one understood. I felt alone and invisible to the world as if no one cared. Siena convinced me to see someone. I told my parents and eventually my friends, but they were in shock. They didn’t get it at first. It took a lot of explaining and writing to portray what was really happening.

It is because of depression that I have found a safe place and an outlet in my photography and writing. As someone struggling with depression I have written a book (The Chronicle Depressed) that shares the raw feelings and thoughts behind depression.

As I see statistics and hear the news of people living with depression, committing suicide, and just suffering; I hurt for them. “The Invisible” Book Project is my way of reaching out for those suffering from mental disorders. This book is only the start of helping improve the lives of many. The invisible WILL become visible and I am never giving up until I can make that happen.