Today we’d like to introduce you to Kat Carey.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Kat. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I got my start at a young age. I want to say I was about 8 when I took my first photograph (which I still own!) with a little spy film camera that I took everywhere. It eventually broke, so for my 13th birthday, I received a shiny, new 35mm camera. My parents were constantly taking me to get film developed, but once I reached high school and was able to learn how to develop film on my own it was a done deal. I knew that photography was going to be what I would do for the rest of my life.
My start was slow, taking side gigs through college and building a portfolio. I began doing editing and website design for bigger companies, but when one of the companies I worked for had a dry spell, I used the time to break out full time on my own. In the beginning, I wasn’t able to afford to advertise, so word of mouth was my bread and butter and it turned out to be the best thing that could have happened.
Through the years, I have had growing pains and worries; I’m not business savvy in the traditional sense, so it was hard to learn how to “make money.” I’ve always wished I didn’t need money so I could just create. Finding a balance between creating and surviving as a business has been difficult, but it’s something I’ve gotten better at over the years.
I have gone from my make-shift studio in my 2-bedroom apartment to a 1600 sf space in downtown San Antonio. I am incredibly grateful to all the people who have helped me get there — my family, my husband and children, my friends, clients and colleagues – and I wouldn’t have made it without them. They have all raised me up, taught me lessons, and given me advice and opportunity, but most importantly they have believed in me and stood by me through my successes AND my struggles. However, it isn’t a one-way street; over the last decade, I have learned that reciprocating these things is what makes for a strong business and healthy relationships.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I don’t think any worthwhile roads are smooth, but it’s the challenges that help you learn and grow.
Learning how to market myself and how to value myself and my work has always been a challenge, but my biggest challenge has always been the elusive work-life balance. I have two amazing kids and full-time photography business, and balancing time with my family and all the tasks of running a business has been a constant battle. I’m so lucky that my husband shoots events and weddings with me (we treat it like a weird date night!) and is active at home with the kids, but it’s still tough. However, I always look for the silver lining; this particular challenge has taught me – and continues to teach me – lessons in time management and when to just shut off and live in the moment.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I’m a photographer, and the thing I love most about my job is how versatile it is. I’m fortunate enough to have clients that come to me to document everything from food to weddings to portraits, and I find joy in all of it. This year I’m excited about all of my new clients and endeavors, but I’m also excited to get started on a new creative portrait series based on light and color that I’m doing solely for the sake of creating.
What were you like growing up?
I was – and still am – a big nerd. I especially loved photographing my friends; I would wander around campus and into classrooms just to snap photos of people. I found they were a lot more open to me as a person when I had a camera in my hand. Or maybe I was a lot more open to them. I remember developing a photo and giving it to this person in my art class, and the next time I saw them, they asked me if I would take more which was a great feeling.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1100 broadway #310 San Antonio, Texas 78215
- Website: www.darkroomfoto.com
- Phone: 210.748.2982
- Email: darkroomfoto@me.com
- Instagram: Darkroomfoto
- Facebook: DarkroomfotoSA
Image Credit:
Headshot photo by Josh Huskin, Photos by Kat Carey
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