Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Hembree.
Katie, before we jump into specific questions about your work, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
In 2009, I decided to buy my first DSLR camera so I could take higher quality photos. My husband and I were planning to take a trip overseas and also wanted to start a family soon, so I thought it was time to finally buy a nice camera to capture these important life events. Little did I know, I would fall in love with my new camera and all the artistic possibilities that come with a good quality camera and lens. From a young age, I have always been creative, whether it is through interior design, cooking, crafting, drawing, or a camera lens. I guess it shouldn’t have been a surprise that I fell in love with my camera, but I truly never imagined myself becoming a professional photographer.
Once it became clear that this was becoming more than just a hobby, I decided to reach out to my friend Claire McCormack who had started her own photography business to see if I could shadow her. I wanted to see if photography was something I had the talent and capacity to do professionally. Claire confirmed that I had the artistic eye for photography and was such a huge help as she taught me everything from how to use my camera, use editing software, to how to organize my photos. My time with her was invaluable in my journey towards starting my own business and even helped me narrow down what my niche should be as a photographer.
About a year after I started working with Claire, I decided to take steps to start my own photography business. In 2010, I purchased a full-frame professional camera and officially launched Katie Hembree Photography, predominantly as a family photographer. Soon after my business launched, I also started shooting newborn sessions and fell in love with that area of photography as well. Over the years, I have developed into a natural light photographer who specializes in family and newborn lifestyle photography.
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 have been blessed to not have a ton of obstacles in my photography business, however, it’s still not always been easy. With the rise of DSLR cameras, people have been able to become photographers more easily than in the past when film was the only option. This can be a blessing but also makes it a very saturated market as well – which can present its own set of challenges. I had to figure out what I truly was good at, where my talents could best be used in the photography world, and run with it. There have been times through the years that have been a challenge to not compare and feel discouraged in such a saturated profession, but God has reminded me, again and again, to be faithful to who He made me to be and how to best use the talents he has given me.
The other challenge that has been hard at times has been adapting and juggling my business with our growing family. Over the last ten years, we have added three precious children to our family. It’s such a blessing, but also has forced me to sometimes work less and be content in whatever season God has our family in. This has meant putting some things on the back burner and being patient with areas I would like to see my business grow. With our youngest child now almost three years old, this past year I have been entering a new season for my business.
This has allowed me to pursue some things that had to be put on hold now that my children are getting a little older. Having a part-time photography business and being a full-time mom has definitely had its challenges, but it’s been a wonderful mingling of roles that has taught me a lot about patience, perseverance, and how to prioritize what is most important in life.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I am a natural light photographer who uses a blend of lifestyle & casually posed photos to tell my client’s stories. Being a wife and mother has given me an even deeper passion for photographing families and newborns. I love capturing the simple, genuine, everyday moments in life. In each photo session, I seek to capture people’s real stories and personalities, which truly is a joy for me. It’s my goal for each session to be laid back, fun, and worry-free. I want all my clients to feel completely comfortable and feel totally relaxed to be their real selves.
Truly, I don’t want forced smiles, rather I want to capture the real moments and connections between my clients and the ones they love. I want to capture it all: the smiles, the laughs, the cuddles, the love, and even the tears. Photos have a way of taking you back to those simple, sweet, organic moments together that you otherwise might not remember years later. There’s just something so sweet about capturing a family’s first moments with their new baby or spending time with a precious family while we snap some sweet shots of them playing and relaxing together.
It truly is a great joy and privilege to be invited into these precious moments with my clients and their families. My hope is that my clients walk away from our time together with beautiful images they are proud to have hanging on their walls and will be a sweet reminder of their family in that current season of life.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I believe that it all has to do with God’s plan and purpose for my life. This also requires me surrendering to His good plans and settling into who He has called me to be and what He has called me to do. I have found that true joy is found in this space.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.katiehembree.com
- Email: katie@katiehembree.com
- Instagram: @katiehembreephotography
- Facebook: @KatieHembreePhotography
Image Credit:
Headshots of Katie by: Tara Fry Photography
Remaining photos: Katie Hembree Photography
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