We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Katie Kasperson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Katie below.

Alright, Katie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

Doing creative work often means sacrificing job security and a high salary. That said, you don’t need to be a ‘starving artist’, either. There are plenty of ways to earn money – decent money – doing what you love, as long as you’ve got the impetus to make it happen.

I earn a living doing a myriad of freelance jobs. My main source of income is as a contractual staff writer for a company where I was previously a full-time employee. As they’re based in the UK, the exchange rate often works in my favor, and I earn roughly $2,500 from them each month. On top of that, I offer other creative services: photography (including assistant photography), journalism, newsletter writing and social media management. I charge rates that I think are appropriate for my experience level – anywhere between $25-$150 an hour, depending on the work.

My biggest piece of advice is to simply put yourself out there. Become the go-to person – the name that pops into people’s heads when they think, ‘I need a writer/photographer/social media manager.’ This usually starts by plugging your business with friends and family, who can then recommend you to their wider social circles. Word-of-mouth marketing, I find, is often the most successful.

Of course, it wasn’t always – and still isn’t always – steady money. My first paid gig was doing graduation portraits while I was at university. Back then, I charged $25/hour per person, with shoots often including 4+ subjects. Through this experience, I learned the basics of setting rates and drafting invoices while developing my technical skills in the process. We all have to start somewhere!

Looking back, I wish I’d been more ambitious in my networking efforts. I’ve found that, when sending a cold email, people are generally responsive and gracious – and a lot of times, they’re interested in what you have to offer! Pitching yourself is an integral part of creative work, so it’s best to get comfortable with this from the get-go. Through pitching, cold emailing and putting myself out there, I’ve photographed red carpets, weddings and exclusive white tie events; I’ve written for dream outlets (like Little White Lies) and interviewed plenty of inspiring people; and I’ve done it all while earning a buck or two.

Katie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m an early-career freelance writer, photographer and social media manager. I always had a passion for the arts and did creative hobbies (singing, playing instruments, videography, theater), but I didn’t turn my skills into a business until I was in college – and I realized I might be good enough to get paid.

I generally think of my photography as slightly whimsical – a romanticized version of reality, as that’s how I tend to see the world. My writing, on the other hand, is much more concise and matter-of-fact, mirroring my verbal communication.

Regardless of the task at hand, I always work with my clients to achieve their vision without compromising my own; I’d rather work with you than for you.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

There are a few online resources that have been incredibly helpful. The first and most obvious one is social media in general – but specifically Twitter (now X) and Instagram. While I’ve moved on from Twitter to Bluesky, these platforms have both been exceptionally useful in finding editors and seeing pitch call-outs. If you’re a journalist, I’d recommend getting on one of these sites ASAP.

Instagram, on the other hand, is great for photographers; besides my personal website, it’s where I showcase my portfolio, connect with other photographers, and find businesses/publications that might be open to collaboration.

Unions are another great resource that I wish I’d known about sooner. The Freelancers Union in the US has advice about health insurance, taxes, invoices, networking – all the practicals of self-employment.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the best source of clients has been through word-of-mouth marketing. My friends, family members, neighbors and others in my community have called upon me for my work; they’ve also shared my name with others, and these referrals have gotten me new business.

If you’re struggling to find clients, my best advice is to casually plug yourself, whether that’s in a social setting or online. Put a call-out on social media for portraits or headshots; get coffee with people in your network who might have worthwhile advice. When in doubt, reach out – the worst thing someone can do is say ‘no.’

Contact Info:

• Website: https://katiekasperson.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katiekasperson.photo/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-kasperson/
• Other: https://bsky.app/profile/katiekasperson.bsky.social