Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Katie Heatley. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Katie , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

My parents never forced a specific career idea upon us. They always just kind of let us be ourselves. My Mom has always been a creative person. As a child I always remember her drawing, writing poems and making crafts with us. And we would draw & color with her too. Always making some form of a homemade gifts. Til this day she always encourages me to keep doing what I love. My Dad has always been an outdoorsman, and would figure out how to fix or build something. When we came back from visiting our Grandparents one day, our dad had built a sandbox for us to play in. He also built us our own life size playhouse outside. Til’ this day if I have an idea for a project of photoshoot prop, I’ll tell him and he shows up with it already complete.

Our outside playtime was our imaginary world, from making tacos with big green leaves to playing in the dirt while my dad got the garden ready.

They showed that putting in hard work for what you want in life is worth it. Though it’s not always easy, there will be tough times, but it’s always worth it in the end. My parents have shown me how important it is for someone to believe in you. It’s the little backbone that everyone needs in life too, you know you can do it, but you keep going when you know someone else believes you can too.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I consider myself a creative, multi-passionate entrepreneur. I started getting interested in photography at a young age, when I was given a camera for Christmas. I took photos throughout school years on the yearbook staff and wanted to go to college for photography. I second guessed my abilities and took on another major before making the switch to photography. I was obsessed with surfing, the beach, anything that was related to that area and followed the works of photographer, Aaron Chang. I wanted to be a surf photographer, but started photographing portraits and weddings. I still photograph people and have now added on with my Fine Art Photography. I offer sessions for people to fill their creative void, to allow them to feel comfortable within their bodies, to allow them to truly smile and not fake it, to get them to have their real emotions come through. You’re creating a piece of art with me in your sessions and you deserve to have that experience.

I love having my work printed on metal based materials- it’s with a dye sublimination printer that transfers to the metal through heat.

I give my clients a safe place to be themselves and to be seen. Even through my massage sessions and yoga sessions. I incorporate my knowledge from my wellness background and integrate it into my art background.

Touch is therapeutic. Breathing and movement is therapeutic. Art is therapeutic.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Society can support artists by: showing up to art events, buying art and hosting art events. Society can pay artists for their work instead of assuming they can take it or use it just because it’s on a public platform. Ask permission. Let artists be themselves & have no judgement. Art is rewarding in so many ways, so let’s continue to reward artists because they deserve it.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is allowing myself to be me. It’s taken a while to get there, and I’m still evolving. I don’t have to answer to a “boss” I am my own boss. If you know about Human Design, I am a Manifestor. Manifestors have bursts of energy & lots of rest time. I work well when I can choose my own timeline. Creative bursts don’t always happen & I have to honor that in my rest time. There are times where My brain is stimulated even on rest mode, but knowing when to initiate that idea or project is key. I constantly have ideas I want to put into existence. I’m always thinking of what I can do next to continue to evolve.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.katieheatley.com
• Instagram: katieheatleyphotography or coastalkt88
• Facebook: katieheatleyphotography
• Other: You can find my artwork on display & for sale at Karen’s Korner Gallery & Frame Shop- Mt. Pleasant, SC & The South Carolina Artisan’s Center in Walterboro, SC. Sessions are booked upon contacting me (photography & wellness sessions) Artwork can also be commissioned for.

Image Credits
All images are mine (Katie Heatley Photography)