Today we’d like to introduce you to Katelyn Chef.
Hi Katelyn, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My name is Katelyn. I have been working as a freelance, self-employed writer since graduating from The University of Mount Union where I earned my BA in English: Writing with honors.
Post-graduation, I felt frustrated with the corporate job hunt & had a lot of ‘pent-up’ stories I wanted to write that I really didn’t have the creative freedom to do so in college.
Shortly after graduating in 2013, I started my blog, The Yellow Spectacles. It is a creative lifestyle blog where I finally had a place to freely write, create, & just be myself. Shortly after launching The Yellow Spectacles, inspired by a yellow pair of glasses I was wearing at the time, I began freelancing for websites. Brit & Co. was the first ‘big’ website I wrote for. I have gone on to write for many other websites such as Southern Living, Coastal Living, Teen Vogue, Town & Country, & others.
To date, the proudest part of my writing career thus far has been contributing to Martha Stewart. Growing up, she & her accomplishments were a huge inspiration. Writing for her website felt like I came full circle. I am still very inspired by her ethos & her as a person.
Naturally, when blogging, the need for images is a constant. Figuring out my voice through my blog, allowed me to develop a love & appreciation for photography.
I like to think that my photos have come a long way since 2013. However, being a self-taught photographer & now working as a freelance lifestyle photographer {in addition to writing} I have very much enjoyed the journey & bettering my skills as time goes on.
While I love creating content for clients, creating content for The Yellow Spectacles & the newly launched Katelyn Chef {.com} website{s} brings me a lot of joy. I just curated & open my very own print shop!
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?
After graduating, I had a lot of big interviews with well-known, fortune 500 companies. I think if I took any of those corporate jobs for sure I would have been richer, however, the experience of being my own boss, & paving my own path has made me richer in other ways.
Freelancing isn’t for the faint of heart. There are no definite paychecks, every day is a hustle, as well as every day, is different. However, that is one reason why I enjoy it, it’s always something new & something different.
Being a self-employed writer {as well as a photographer} you have to adapt to hearing the word ‘no.’ Just because one person says no, doesn’t mean the next will. Making the right connections, leading with integrity, & believing in yourself {as a lot of self-doubts can creep in} will make you resilient & successful.
I can remember being so down on myself for not getting selected to write for Teen Vogue’s website. However, I was so passionate about writing for them, that I kept at it. Finally, I connected with a wonderful {at the time} Home Editor. I went on writing many home decor/lifestyle pieces for them early in my career. To this day, I look back at those times with fondness as well as the pride that my grit & persistence paid off.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a lifestyle writer and lifestyle photographer. I like to think that combination alone sets me apart from others who just do one or the other.
Writing lifestyle pieces including product guides as well as feature pieces for websites such as Real Simple & Martha Stewart has given me the unique skills of understanding the lifestyle category. Not-to-mention, different products in general.
Immersing the reader in a story where they can picture themselves using a product or traveling to a place is really a special thing to do. I enjoy telling stories that people can take some type of knowledge away, as well as inspiration to live a happier & healthier life.
On the flip side, I get to do the same thing with lifestyle photography. I love immersing the viewer in a scene that can seem so ordinary, but somehow, elevate the subject to really make you think & walk away feeling something. Hopefully, a little more inspired.
Personally, I work as a freelance lifestyle writer & photographer helping individuals, brands, & companies tell their story {either through words, photos, or both} in a unique & creative setting all the while, being true to their unique ideas.
We all have an interesting story to share. If you have a cool product, great! I’ll help you share it with the world; words, captions, photos, & all!
What are your plans for the future?
Currently, I am taking on new clients for writing as well as photography. I am working toward really settling in with a few passionate individuals/brands that are looking for continuous content as I would love to grow with them over time.
I have done work where I have done one or two jobs for a client & then that’s it. I am working toward making meaningful relationships with clients to work with again & again. Of course, business is business, but I believe in supporting others, especially other creatives who are fulfilling their own dreams.
I also just opened my own lifestyle print shop {https://www.katelynchef.com/prints/} where I share a few of my favorite seasonal images for others to buy & display in their home with the hope that it inspires them to be creative, bold, & passionate with their own lives & dreams.
Pricing:
- For articles & blog posts written for client, I start at $150.00
- For clients seeking a set of ten photos, my price starts at $200.00
- For clients seeking a set of twenty photos, my prices starts at $400.00
- For clients seeking a set of forty photos, my price starts at $800.00
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.katelynchef.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katelynchefphotography_
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/chef_katelyn
- Other: https://www.theyellowspectacles.com
Image Credits
Katelynchef.com
