Daily Inspiration: Meet Kat Wood

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kat Wood.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I have always loved photography and creative expression. I’ve had the fortune of getting to know and spend time with many other insanely talented artists, and over the years I’ve been lucky enough to watch, learn and be inspired by them. I originally went to school for cosmetology, and after a few years of working in the hair industry I realized that it wasn’t the right fit for me. Between the long hours of having to keep my social battery charged, and the toll it took on my body dealing with a physical disability, I realized that long term, it wasn’t going to work. During those years, I was able to work on photo and film sets and my curiosity grew. In 2016 I briefly got behind a camera and started learning the basics with help from a long term friend and mentor before setting it to the side once more. Finally, in 2022 after many life hardships, I needed something to pour myself into, and I acquired my fathers old camera. I started by going to local drag shows and learning how to shoot fast performers in low light, which is a great way to learn, I started taking pictures of anything and everything. Just by showing up and being consistent, I made a space for myself within a group of beautiful and supportive people. It grew from there, just by being consistent and showing up, I’ve been able to land some really great opportunities. I love shooting live music, which is abundant in Athens, as well as documentary style shooting of nightlife and street photography. Then, last year I was lucky enough to be able to open my own studio space with my long time friend, Craig Gum, called Classic City Capture, right in the heart of Athens,

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
To be honest, the biggest struggle is my own brain. I have ADHD, so its like a constant battle with myself. I’m terrible with procrastination and structure, so owning a business can be tough. Luckily, I’ve found something that keeps my attention and is constantly challenging and creative, always with room to grow. To this day, photography still excites me all the time.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I love live music photography. That’s originally what inspired my photography journey. I love going to live shows and feeling that energy and buzz in the air, and being able to capture that through my own artistic lens is very rewarding. We are spoiled here in Atlanta/Athens, our crowds are really passionate and it differs from other states by a long shot. I also love street photography and photographing people. I see beauty everywhere, and being able to possibly document that really drives me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.classiccitycapture.com
• Instagram: @katwood_photography
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katwoodphotography