Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Wagner.
Hi Katie, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I found my love for photography at a very young age. I had borrowed my mom’s old 35mm film camera to go to a friend’s birthday party when I was in 2nd or 3rd grade. Instead of taking photos of my friends, I found myself taking all of my friends’ new dolls, posing them, and having a full-on photoshoot with them. From there, I never put a camera down.
My passion evolved in high school when I started really practicing posing people and editing. Ultimately during my senior year, I had 11 friends ask me to take their senior portraits – which started me thinking about the business side of photography.
I fell further in love with photography and found my true purpose in it.
I have struggled with depression most of my life, which unfortunately can cause memory loss. Many things in life I would not remember I’ve done if it weren’t for photos. My saying with my business is “Memories Matter” as I am able to help capture memories and moments for so many people to look back on at any point. I continue to keep my mission at the front of my mind and use that to fuel my passion for documenting as many people and their memories as I can.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been smooth at all! I’ve experienced severe burnout after not knowing how to plan my schedule and overworking myself. I had no clue how to start a business let alone run it and try to be profitable. Trying to stand out in a competitive and over-saturated market has been very difficult. Opening a photo studio during the midst of a pandemic was a challenge (but a very rewarding one)! Nothing has been easy on this journey, but I’ve learned so much and know I still have a ton more to learn.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am booked most often for weddings and also boudoir shoots. I love being able to document a couple’s milestones in their relationship on their wedding day and learning about their love story. With boudoir, I love being able to hype up and empower others. There is so much pressure from society to fit a certain mold, and I get to help play a part in breaking that and helping women feel confident in their own bodies as they are.
I’d like to think my customer service is what helps set me apart. I truly do my best to make each client feel as comfortable as possible, listen to what they want and any concerns they have and form that open and trustworthy client/photographer relationship. I also get sneak peeks and edits back very quickly compared to many other local photographers, and I know a lot of clients enjoy that too.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts, or blogs that help you do your best?
Honestly, the two apps that keep me most sane and organized are my calendar app and reminders on my phone. Without those two, I’d be so scrambled and unorganized!
Contact Info:
- Email: Katie@withlovephotographs.com
- Website: www.withlovephotographs.com
- Instagram: @withlovephotographyllc
- Facebook: Facebook.com/withlovephotographyllc
