Today we’d like to introduce you to Kat Carr.
Hi Kat, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I started KatCarr Photography earlier this year. I am a lifestyle photographer who enjoys shooting portraits of people & making each moment feel beautiful, authentic & joyful.
I have always loved photography, but I can remember specifically when I really fell in love with it. In 2009, I bought my first DSLR camera ahead of a trip to England/France. I was obsessed with it. I took photos all over and I loved being able to capture these memories we were living & see the beauty everywhere.
My love of photography grew even more after I had my kids. I took a course at UCSD just before the pandemic hit. It gave me the confidence to pursue my passion even more! Unfortunately, I lost my momentum when COVID 19 ran our lives. Like everyone else, I was overwhelmed at home and in life. Then, one day in the Fall of 2020, I happened to be scrolling Instagram when one of the accounts I followed posted about her “Horizon Found” page. It was there that I learned about this new course offered for female photographers called “The Photographer’s Path” by Nicole Hill- a highly successful fashion photographer. I did the initial free training & thought it was exactly what I was looking for. This program changed my life and it really ignited a spark in me I didn’t know I had.
It is a seven weeks course, where you learn everything from the fundamentals of photography to finding your personal photography style and how to start your photography career with the support of 150+ female photographers. I can honestly say, this program completely transformed me. It gave me the confidence & support I needed to be where I am today.
Before finding this course, I was a stay at home mom of 3 young kids, feeling discouraged with no direction on a career path- even contemplating going back to a 9-5. Now, I feel like I’ve found my purpose, I’m able to create my own schedule, be with my family and do something I absolutely LOVE. I feel empowered because of the opportunities I’ve created for myself this year and all of the wonderful & inspiring people I have met along the way.
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?
It has been a fun and challenging road, but definitely not all smooth!
When you’re providing an artistic service that means so much to clients, it’s easy to let self-doubt sneak in. When I feel those negative thoughts I try to take a little break from social media to avoid the comparison game with my photographer peers, focus on my strengths and ways to constantly improve and grow my business.
When I began to hear the positive feedback from doing shoots with friends and family, it gave me the confidence in my business to keep going and to keep building. From that point on, I began to get many referrals from friends and have taken on other types of shoots such as working with a kid’s fashion brand.
I’ve also had to get into the balancing act of trying to work at home with three young kids and a full-time working-at-home husband.
Another challenge has been the business side of things and building my website- which I am working on at the moment! Every challenge has been a learning opportunity though and I have definitely built on it this year. I’m so excited to see what 2022 brings.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a lifestyle photographer who specializes in creating authentic portraits for families, couples, individuals & brands. I’m known for creating emotional & joyful portraits. I enjoy getting to know each of my clients before shooting to build a level of trust, which translates to extremely raw and emotion-filled photos. The in between moments are my favorite as it really brings out a level of authenticity to the shoot. I like to think that these traits as a photographer and being as personable as I can be with people sets me apart from others.
I am most proud of how much I have put myself out there this year. I successfully booked 28 shoots, I attended a meetup in Joshua Tree with ten other female photographers to learn from and create artistic shots together, I registered KatCarr Photography as a business, I bought my website and design and I am well on my way for booking more clients at the start of 2022. As I look back on 2021 at all of the shoots I have done, the amazing photographers & clients I have met this year, I can’t help but feel so grateful for all of these special people that were brought into my life.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Originally an east coast girl raised in the suburbs of DC, I moved to California to be with my now husband back in 2007. We moved to Carlsbad/North county last year. I love where we live and I love getting to explore different areas of this beautiful city. Photography connects me with my love of travel and getting to experience new things and meeting new people-something I have always loved and found thrilling.
I want people to know that when they book me they are getting a photographer who is warm, kind and all-inclusive. And who will be attentive to each client and will ensure that every detail is taken care of from start to finish. I take great pride in my work-these are not just photos to me, they are works of art!
To me, every experience is an adventure and everyone has a story to tell. I am honored and thrilled every time I get an inquiry for a new client. I would love to create magic with you, your family, significant other or brand!
Contact Info:
- Email: katcarrphotography@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katcarrphotography/?hl=en
Image Credits
The personal photo of myself by: Corinne LaLoba Photography (Corinne LaLoba) The rest are by me 🙂
