Today we’d like to introduce you to Cate Wilson.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My love for capturing moments began while I was on my high school yearbook staff. I enjoyed everything there was to it. It wasn’t until a couple years after graduation that I got my first camera. I will forever be grateful to the girl who just gave me a camera because I said I wanted to capture wildlife. I took some wildlife images of deer and did some portraits of my horses and cattle and started receiving messages from friends asking me to take their portraits. I jumped in head first, surprised at how quickly word was spreading and how many inquires I was receiving. A couple months later, I upgraded my equipment and continued to further my education. I spent countless hours in front of my computer watching youtube videos and googling numerous photography topics. The best piece of advice I think I every received was to read my camera manual from front to back and learn my camera inside and out. I kept investing in myself and this little business of mine. I am so proud of where it is today. I’ve been photographing families, seniors, couples, weddings, etc for 5+ years now, and there is no stopping in sight. I am able to capture my own lifestyle and my children plus I am able to give these same moments to the people that trust me to capture their story. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the support of my husband and my family. I am truly grateful for that.
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?
Yes and no. There’s always the fear of failure when starting anything new. The constant comparison to where other people are in your industry never really leaves your mind when you begin. After a couple years, my husband and I started our family. I was really feeling down. I started comparing myself to others really bad. I decided to put my camera down for a while. I let my mind reset. After my first daughter was born, I began to find joy in photography again. I stopped caring what others cared so much and just did it for myself. I was still learning and bettering myself, but not necessarily for others. I was capturing my daughter and wanting to improve her portraits. I announced my return to photographing the public and was overwhelmed by the people that missed me. It was a kind reminder to just trust in my work and art. I’ve since had another daughter, and my first daughter is almost 4. There is no slowing down in sight.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I capture all things. I specialize in Seniors, Maternity, Families, Styled Shoots, Business Shoots, Couples/Engagements, & Weddings. I like to hang out in the roping pen and capture some wall art and action shots while I’m at it. I do the occasional Newborn session here and there as well. I’m known for my style of warm, western, & country vibes. My clients love how comfortable I make them feel. My style has also been described as carefree & touching with a bit of whimsy and depth. I’m all for the authentic smiles and laughing during golden hour. I can’t get enough sunshine in my life. I’m most proud of being able to be myself in front of my clients. I was very shy in high school, and my clients probably wonder when the heck I’m going to stop talking, but the more I talk, the more comfortable my client gets. It’s a process of getting to know each other, that’s how I believe I get the most authentic laughs & smiles. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good serious pose as well. I like to dabble in the editorial side of things. I’ll be your hype girl for anything you want to do. I would say that the colors in my photos and my editing style is really what sets me apart from others.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
Oh gosh, I have so many. My first passion is and always will be horses. There were so many nights and weekends spent in the arena or practice pen. Several different horses that I’ve been blessed to ride with the occasional buck off here and there. There are so many little moments that I cherish with them. Probably my most cherished memories were spent with my grandmother every summer. She recently passed away, and I am so happy that I was able to do that with her. She always made me Peanut Butter and Syrup. Yes, you read that right; I promise it’s good! Mix the two and then dip your biscuits in it. It’s something that I do for my children now, and they love it. We also worked in her garden and shelled peas. What I would have paid for someone to capture those memories so I could show my children.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://simplycatephoto.showit.site/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplycatephoto/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simplycatephoto/
Image Credits
Simply Cate Photography
