Katie, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I have always loved expressing my creativity and being artistic since I was young. When I was little, I remember loving going to museums, performing in front of my parents every chance I could get, coloring, and going to musicals at the Fox. I guess my love for creating has always been with me. I became curious about photography when I graduated from college. My parents bought me a beginner DSLR camera for my birthday and I started attending night classes at the community center to learn how to use it. I started teaching shortly after and really did not have to the time to devote to creating a small business but it was always a dream of mine in the back of my mind to start a photography business. We then had our son Henry in 2016 and I wanted to stay home with him. I dabbled in photography for about a year or so before making any formal announcement I was starting anything. My friend Danielle, from Danielle Hulsey Photography, was starting to get into wedding photography full time and I asked if I could join along with her to learn more and she thankfully said yes! We still shoot weddings together today! 2018 was my first full year shooting weddings and I am looking forward to shooting more weddings after we have our second baby boy in April. Everyone always asks or says “is it stressful to shoot weddings? I could never do that!” and honestly, I never thought I would do this either, but you can’t help but get swept away in all the joy and knowing that you are the one that gets to capture those moments that will sit on people’s shelves forever. What an honor!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Has it been a smooth road? I mean I can’t really complain about anything being hard other than the typical learning how to do something for the first time. It’s labor intensive to learn new things sometimes, you know? Taxes, how do I file for a business license?, work/life balance, how do I make a contract? etc. I was so fortunate and am so grateful for creative mentors and friends who are ahead of me that I can ask a question to or reach for advice.
My largest struggles have honestly been finding the balance of working and having a family. I am learning that every mother struggles with that and every work at home creative struggles with that. Every day, I have to be diligent to stick to a schedule I have created for myself and also not be so hard on myself if I don’t get to everything that day.
I would say to anyone just starting out to find someone a little further than you and learn from them. Find a supportive creative community! I would also say trust your instinct – your eye is going to be different than someone else’s and that’s what is going make you, you. It’s so easy to compare yourself to other people and feel like you aren’t as good as they are but that’s the furthest from the truth – you are you and not them! Keep putting yourself out there and you will be so glad that you did.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
Being both a wedding and lifestyle photographer is so much fun because you get to enter in so many special phases of other’s lives. I offer engagement and wedding packages as well as in-home newborn sessions, headshots, maternity, and family sessions.
My work is fun, joyful, light, and airy. I love getting to meet new people and talking to them. That’s who I am apart from my lens so it’s nice that my job is also getting to interact with folks. I am most proud of just being who I am and hopefully making those who I get to work leave with a smile on their face or making them feel comfortable during my time with them. I want my job to be life-giving to others as much as it has been for me.
So much of the media coverage is focused on the challenges facing women today, but what about the opportunities? Do you feel there are any opportunities that women are particularly well positioned for?
One of my other favorites movies is Auntie Mame and she says “life is a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death!” Meaning, don’t just stand by waiting for life to happen, an opportunity is right in front of you! Opportunity is out there for everyone.
Pricing:
- Sessions starting at $225
- Wedding packages starting at $2200
Contact Info:
- Website: www.katiemartinphotography.com
- Email: hello@katiemartinphotography.com
- Instagram: @katiemartinphotography
- Facebook: @katiemartinphotos
Image Credit:
Katie Martin Photography LLC
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