We were lucky to catch up with Katherine Horton recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Katherine, thanks for joining us today. Let’s jump to the end – what do you want to be remembered for?

I hope my legacy reflects a life spent honoring Jesus and celebrating the beauty of connection, emotion, and authenticity. Through my photography, I want to leave behind images that stand the test of time—moments that remind people of God’s love, the blessings in their lives, and the beauty of His creation.

I hope to be remembered not just for the art I created but for the way I lived out my faith, sharing Christ’s love with others and making them feel valued, seen, and cherished. I want my work to inspire others to embrace their God-given stories, chase their callings, and see His presence in the everyday.

Ultimately, my legacy isn’t just about the photos I leave behind but about pointing people to Jesus and the lives I touch in His name.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Hi! I’m Katherine Horton, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to share a little about myself and the heart behind Katherine Horton Photography. My journey into photography began with a simple love for storytelling and a desire to preserve life’s fleeting moments. As a young girl, I was always fascinated by how a single photograph could carry so much emotion, capturing not just what something looked like but how it felt. Over time, that fascination turned into a calling, and today, I’m blessed to use photography as a way to serve others and glorify God through creativity.

At Katherine Horton Photography, I specialize in capturing authentic, timeless imagery that tells a story—whether it’s a wedding day, a family milestone, the beauty of thoughtfully designed spaces, or simply the everyday moments that mean the most. My services include wedding photography, lifestyle sessions, personal branding shoots, and interior architecture photography. I truly love what I do!

One of the things I’m most proud of is how my faith shapes the way I approach my work. I believe every person is uniquely created and deeply loved by God, and I strive to reflect that truth in every interaction and every photo I take. My clients often tell me they feel at ease during our sessions, and that’s exactly what I aim for—I want every person I work with to feel seen, valued, and celebrated.

What sets Katherine Horton Photography apart is my focus on creating an experience, not just delivering a product. From our first consultation to the moment you hold your finished images, I’m here to guide you, encourage you, and ensure that your story—or the story of your space—is told with care and excellence. I also focus on quality over quantity, pouring my heart into every shoot so that each image is meaningful and true to you.

For me, photography is about more than just pictures—it’s about capturing the legacy of love, connection, creativity, and faith. Whether I’m documenting a couple’s first day as husband and wife, a family’s sweet laughter, an individual stepping boldly into their purpose, or the intricate details of a stunning interior space, my goal is to deliver more than just beautiful images. I want to give my clients a tangible reminder of the beauty in their lives and the One who made it all possible.

If you’re considering working with me or simply following along, I’d love for you to know that my heart is truly in this. I don’t take it lightly when someone trusts me with their memories or their creations, and I’ll do everything I can to ensure the experience and the images are something you’ll treasure for a lifetime. Thank you for letting me be a part of your story—I’m honored to capture it!

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Last year, I experienced one of the most challenging seasons of my life—a skiing accident that left me with a tibial plateau fracture and a torn meniscus. It required major surgery and over 12 weeks of being non-weight-bearing on my right leg, which also happens to be my driving leg. As you can imagine, this impacted my life and business in ways I could have never anticipated.

Suddenly, I had to rely on others for rides, daily tasks, and even getting dressed—my sweet husband had to help me with everything, including putting on my clothes in the first week after surgery. It was humbling, to say the least, but also a reminder of the importance of leaning on community and accepting help when you need it.

Photography is an active job, and there are no “sick days” when you’re photographing weddings. My couples were counting on me to show up, and I had to figure out how to make it work. I learned to photograph weddings from a wheelchair, a scooter, and crutches. It wasn’t ideal, but I adapted and pushed through, knowing I had a responsibility to my clients and their special moments. It was a season of survival mode—one that tested me, stretched me, and ultimately taught me resilience in ways I never imagined.

As I approach the one-year anniversary of the accident, I’m still not 100%, but I’m grateful every single day for how far I’ve come. I will never take walking for granted again, and I carry this season with me as a powerful reminder of perseverance, gratitude, and the beauty of relying on the people around you.

This experience changed how I approach both life and business. It reminded me of the importance of flexibility, resourcefulness, and trust in God to see me through even the hardest days. It’s also shown me the value of building relationships with my clients and community—because when you’re honest and vulnerable, people are so much more understanding than you might expect.

To anyone going through a difficult season, know this: resilience isn’t about having it all together; it’s about showing up, doing your best, and leaning on others when you need to. That’s where the real strength lies.

What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?

Yes, my side hustle absolutely turned into my full-time career, and what an unexpected blessing it has been! My photography journey actually started in college, while I was studying Interior Design at Auburn University. I began my little photography business on the side, taking on small projects here and there, simply because I loved capturing moments and creating something meaningful for others. At the time, I never imagined it would grow into what it is today.

After graduating in 2019, I began working for a healthcare architecture firm, designing hospitals and gaining a wealth of knowledge about the field. At the same time, I was slowly growing my photography business on the side. For two years, I balanced working full-time as a designer while continuing to photograph weddings, families, and other special moments. The more experience I gained in photography, the more I felt a pull toward pursuing it full-time. But with limited PTO and the demands of a traditional 8-5 job, I started to realize I wanted the freedom and flexibility that came with working for myself.

I eventually transitioned to a four-day workweek at a residential design firm in Birmingham, where I spent about nine months learning all about residential architecture and design. I truly loved the work and gained invaluable experience, but I also came to realize that working for someone else wasn’t where my heart was. My husband and I made a deal: if I could match my side hustle income with my full-time design salary, that would be the green light to go all in with photography.

I don’t regret those years of balancing two full-time jobs. They taught me discipline, time management, and how to make the most of every opportunity. During that time, every penny I made from photography went right back into the business. I invested in everything I needed to succeed—high-quality camera gear, courses from seasoned professionals, storage solutions, and a great laptop. All of those investments were made with my photography income, not my steady design salary, which made the transition much less daunting.

When the time came to take the leap into full-time photography, I was ready—and it’s been one of the best decisions of my life. Now, I’m making more than I ever could have in my design job. I have the freedom to take vacations when I want, work on my own schedule, and pour my energy into building something that’s truly mine. I’m so grateful for this opportunity to do what I love and serve others in such a meaningful way.

Looking back, some of the key milestones were moments of intentional investment in myself and my business: starting my little photography business in college, purchasing my first professional camera, booking my first wedding, and reaching the point where my side hustle income matched my design salary. Each of these moments was a reminder that hard work and faith go hand in hand.

This journey has been an incredible gift—an undeserved blessing—and I’m so thankful for the support of my husband, my clients, and my community along the way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://katherinehortonphotography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katherinehortonphotography/

Image Credits

Katherine Horton Photography