Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Campbell
Hi Katie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
It was a photography course my Sophomore year at Birmingham-Southern College where I really learned how to use a camera, develop film, and print my own work. My favorite subjects were always people. Capturing a moment that feels truly like them or hearing them say “Oh I love that of me!” with a big smile on their face was the best!
I’m always looking to connect with people. I can’t stand when people feel left out. I will talk to just about anyone.
I’ve lived from East Coast to West Coast and back again. Birmingham -> Los Angeles -> Denver -> Atlanta
My time in LA was spent pursuing my dream of dancing in TV & Film and when my body (and frankly, my mental state) needed a break from that, I found my way into my photography business. After a decade of photographing people, my favorite part continues to be making people feel amazing about themselves!
The world can be so mean to us and we can be so mean to ourselves. As a woman who’s spent too much of her life trying to “good enough, skinny enough, quiet enough” to fit in, I’m ready for all of us to quit worrying about everyone else and to be us, out loud!
That’s what led me to create this new photography experience called “THIS IS ME.” To give you a space to show up just as you are. To help you see how beautiful you are, how worthy you are of taking up space. Of being yourself. You need to feel it and we need to see it.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has been a windy and sometimes bumpy road building a photography business! Loving the art of photography and running a sustainable photography business are not the same skill sets and each has required a lot of growth over the years. I love how it has pushed and challenged me to not only learn new skills but also to get clearer about what matters most. And to help clients see what matters most to them too.
I feel I’ve finally created a business that aligns with my heart and my life. I’m focused on loving and valuing myself just as I am and I want that for you too! We need to do it not just for ourselves, but for the people around us, especially our kids.
They’re looking at how we treat ourselves to see how they should treat themselves. We owe it to them to love ourselves. To see our worth. To value ourselves no matter what the scale says. No matter how much cellulite we have. No matter how many wrinkles we have. No matter what, we are worthy.
This is why I created the THIS IS ME experience. I want my clients to see their worth and their value in the photos we take. I want to capture their identity, the essence of who they are.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My new photography experience is called THIS IS ME.
It’s all about celebrating you just as you are.
No photoshop.
No new clothes.
No makeovers.
No posing.
You’re invited to see yourself through a lens of love. Free from comparison. Free from perfection. Free from self doubt.
“Empowering.”
“Fun!”
“Freeing.”
“Healing.”
These are the words I hear over and over from clients during and after their THIS IS ME session. Along with “I’m telling everyone they should do this!”
I’m so proud of helping people see their worth! Of challenging them to step outside of their comfort zone and celebrate themselves just as they are right now.
Imagine being kinder to yourself even when you don’t fit into someone else’s “ideal.” Imagine loving yourself and your body just as it is. Just as you are. That’s the feeling you want right?
All you need is 3 outfits…and they’re already in your closet!
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
My mom was the first person to like one of my photos enough to blow it up poster size and hang it on the wall in our kitchen. That was so powerful in making me feel like I might be good at taking photographs. She was also the one who, when I was floundering for a career at age 32, suggested I do something with my photography! I’m not sure I would have really considered it without her validation. Thanks Mom!
I’ve been very fortunate to have both incredible photography teachers as well as outstanding business mentors!
Photography Mentors:
Pamela Venz – professor at Birmingham-Southern College – taught me how to really use my camera, develop film, and print my own work.
Julia Dean – LA Center for Photography – retaught me how to use my camera when everything went digital!
Bobbi Lane – introduced me to studio lighting
Felix Kunze – the BEST lighting teacher around
Mitzi Starkweather – for paving the way in the RAW portrait movement
Terri Hofford – for challenging me to photograph and celebrate the parts of me I’ve wanted to hide for so long
Business Mentors:
Sue Bryce – for showing me I can have a portrait business that lights me up
Bradford Rowley – for showing me just how successful a portrait business can be
Mike Michalowicz – for showing me how to manage the money in my business – Profit First!
Felicia Reed – for being the most enthusiastic example and for helping keep my mindset right
Ashley Brock – for showing me the power of paid ads
The Salesgirls! – Macy McNeely and Kat Shubert are creating the strongest squad of salesgirls so we can help all the people who need us!
Being an entrepreneur can be really lonely at times. Connecting with other business owners is so inspiring and motivating! Grateful to know Merci Treaster (The Pelvis Pro), Jessica Wright (Melrose & McQueen), Brigitte Zeitlin (BZ Nutrition), and all my Salesgirls!
Pricing:
- Session Fee $650 – 100% applied towards portrait purchase
- Packages start at $2000
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.luxepaintedportraits.com/this-is-me
- Instagram: @luxeportraits
Image Credits
All photographed by Katie Campbell
