Hey there! I’m Katharine, a Chicago photographer for creative entrepreneurs! I help babes connect with their dream clients through custom photography that tells their story through personal branding sessions. On my blog – I share resources on personal branding, advice on creating a brand story that helps you stand out in a saturated industry, and tips on how to improve your brand consistency and strength.
When did you start blogging and what inspired you to start you blog?
I started blogging my sophomore year of college at The School of the Art Institute when I realized that I didn’t want to be a “fine art photographer”, showing my work in galleries and not feeling connected to the creative entrepreneur community in Chicago. I started writing blog posts about my personal journey of changing my mind halfway through college of what I ultimately wanted my career to be – I had always known I wanted to be a photographer, but figuring out that the type of photography I was going to school for wasn’t the right choice for me was a little anxiety-inducing.
I used my blog as a way to connect with other women in the creative industries I loved and to help guide me in pursuing my new path of being a photographer for entrepreneurial women in Chicago. I started interviewing other entrepreneurs in the city, asking them how they found what they wanted to do in their careers and if it was always a straight path for them – which it totally wasn’t. Getting to talk to other women who had been where I currently was made me feel like I wasn’t just lost and confused because they had been there too.
Now I use my blog to continue interviewing creative entrepreneurs in the city and share tips for others who are in the process of pursuing their dream careers, sharing the types of resources I was seeking while on my journey.
What is your favorite blog post that you have written?
Probably my favorite (and definitely my most viewed) blog is How to Charge for Your Work as a Creative. I love this post because when I first started my creative entrepreneur journey I had noooo idea how to quantify or add a price tag to the work I was producing. I’ve noticed from both my own experience and hearing from other creatives that there’s a general feeling you should start charging less than what you think your worth is when you’re just starting out – and I totally get that. But at the same time, when you undervalue the work you create you’re doing a disservice to yourself, your brand, and the industry as a whole (I know, intense).I’m not advocating for creatives to charge XXXX in their first year necessarily, but I think knowing the literal numbers of what your time is costing you helps to build your confidence in charging at leasta reasonable price. Things like cost of materials, how much time it takes you to complete the project/service, and how to include time for error (like if you need to redo something).
What do you love about blogging?
I love to think that the content I share can empower other creative women to pursue their dreams and feel confident in their own abilities.
What are some brands that you have worked with, or some brands that you would love to work with?
Since I’m a brand photographer, I feel really lucky that I get to work with inspiring and gorgeous brands to create content that tells their story. I’ve done a lot of work with Local Eclectic, I’ve photographed Vichcraft for my blog, and a newer brand I’m excited about working with evolveHer.