We recently connected with Cassandra Colon – Fontaine and have shared our conversation below.

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

My biggest and deepest hope, is to leave a legacy of romanticizing life. To remind people not to underestimate the power of documentation and photos especially in today’s digital world. I want people to use photos as their legacies and heirlooms to pass through the generations and keep the story of their family alive. I would love to see people embrace photos of themselves and the ones they love more and toss out the idea of cringe or not doing something because we are too caught up in other things. We only have one opportunity to live our life in a way that is meaningful, fulfilling and joyous to us. I hope people will say that I wasn’t afraid to make an impact and that I was fearlessly myself, always and that I was always kind. I hope to leave people remembering that they are art and that they feel that to their core when they see themselves in their albums. To encourage people to use their experiences to bring out emotions in their sessions and realize that their experiences and stories make up the colors and textures of their lives, When I plan sessions with my clients, I am always looking for connection points or the things that bring the emotion out in them, even in our initial and casual interactions so that we can bring that real emotion to their session. For me, that is when they will feel like art even in something as simple as smiling at their spouse, parent, child, sibling or grandchild. I want people to remember I helped them feel seen, exactly as they were in that moment and if I’m really good at what I do, they’ll know how grateful I am to have the privilege of viewing a little piece of their heart and soul.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Cass and I am the person behind Koa & Kai Photography! I am based out of Southern Maine but my joy is usually found when I am traveling (I have a bad case of wanderlust!) My husband and I are originally from Massachusetts but relocated to Maine in 2020. While I have my master’s degree in mental health and worked in the mental health field for almost a decade, like a lot of people that I’ve connected with in the industry photography started out as a hobby for me. I got my first crop sensor camera when I was 14 but the fire really ignited after two major events in my life; the tragic loss of a cousin who was like a sibling when he was 20 and the birth of my second child. Both of these events made me come face to face with the impact of losing a loved one and the impact of almost losing my own life to pre-eclampsia. Brushing with death in those ways really showed me the value of photos and photography. I knew that I wanted to leave my children something more than an unorganized plethora of digital images that are most likely going to be forgotten about or lost because they’re in the digital space or a handful of photos printed off of a phone where you can’t see the laugh lines around my mouth or the way my eyes glisten looking at my boys. With cameras in everyone’s pockets and so easily accessible, I could see the gaping hole left behind by printed photos and albums and I wanted to do for others what I do for my children; create true and tangible heirlooms to be passed down. The kind that allow them to remember the smell of the grass on a summer day or the way they felt wrapped in the arms of their parent and have it all captured in a creative and artistic manner. So I made it my goal to deliver the album and wall worthy art that I believe people truly want for their homes. The ones that show connection and (as cliche as it might sound) tell their story.

With that in mind, I began to move from hobby to business, a transition that is 3 years in the making. I find the most joy in photographing motherhood and families. I love providing them a service that allows them to not only be able to authentically document their life and love stories, but also to visually be able to express themselves in a manner that is aesthetically pleasing and adventurous. This, in my own words, is what I mean when I say “life with rose colored glasses.” This really contributed to my decision to invest in a client closet of high end photography gowns. It offers my clients of all sizes and abilities choices. While they may choose to dress in casual clothing that may be closer to their daily style because it is familiar and comfortable, the option for two outfits that comes with most of my collections allows them to try something they may not otherwise. It has really allowed people to have the best of both worlds and to step outside of the typical coastal New England style and add some dramatic flair. I find many love the casual look for their albums as a more day in the life feel, while the images with the high end gowns I offer become their yearly wall art. I also take the awkwardness out of arriving to a session not knowing who or what to expect by providing my clients with in person session planning and try on which I have found to be integral in allowing genuine connection to flourish.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I think that vulnerable connection is truly undervalued when it comes to the creation of art and that it’s not an on demand thing. One of the reasons my in person pre session planning is so crucial is because it’s so common for people to feel so caught up in their heads when there’s a camera on them that they can almost forget what they are trying to accomplish with their session; documenting the connection they share with those they love. While scenery and clothing can be planned and even the activities that happen during sessions such as dancing, playing instruments and so many other things, what cannot be replaced is being in the moment. By breaking the awkwardness of meeting for the first time at a session or trying to capture a vision that is just being explored at a session, we really get rid of the create on demand factor. This has allowed me to hone in on my clients vision and what speaks to them and allows my clients to truly open up and be vulnerable, creating art they connect with emotionally.

I also think the amount of trust required can be underestimated. It is understandably nerve wracking to trust an outside person with a service that can be as intimate as photography especially when trying to capture your family authentically. Blending a photographer’s creative vision with your personalities can be a mystery but making sure you love the style of your photographer and you take the time to make sure you can connect with them is so important!

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Getting to glimpse into the world of other people and create imagery that moves people. Images they can see themselves in but that are unique to the people in them. To know that I have the honor of documenting a newborn’s little hands or how a mother loves her sons curls and that I can create something that can transport people through time is a pretty powerful thing. I know as a human I don’t want to forget what my father’s hands look like or how small my son’s features were once upon a time and professional photographs capture those details that make up our stories. I’ve watched women blossom with empowerment during sessions and parents reconnect as lovers in the glances they share and truly what an honor it is to watch people bear their souls and revel in their humanity. That’s the beauty of being a visual artist and creative.

Contact Info:

• Website: koaandkaiphotography.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/koaandkaiphotography.com
• Facebook: Facebook.com/koaandkaiphotography

Image Credits
Cass Colon Fontaine – Koa & Kai Photography