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

Cat, appreciate you joining us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

I would say the main risk I have taken in my business is being 100% authentically myself. When I first started out, I tried to be the perfect version of what I thought a photographer should be. Polished, overly professional, and a toned down personality who would photograph anyone that inquired with me.

As I gained more clients, I started to realize I wasn’t happy and I wasn’t clicking on a personal level with the people that hired me. I started to phase out family sessions, headshots, and other areas that didn’t stoke my creative fire and instead focus on weddings and couples.

As I honed in on my passion, I realized I still wasn’t quite tapping into the ‘dream client’. I wanted people who were like me – maybe a little weird, a little awkward, rough around the edges, who fight for what they believe in. I started writing copy that would actually be something to come out of my own mouth, and editing photos the way I wanted to – not what I thought would get me featured or published.

I started getting inquiries from people who really meshed with me; people I could actually be friends with. I knew I was headed in the right direction, but the one group I couldn’t really connect with was the queer community. I posted a model call looking for an LGBTQ+ couple, and another vendor accused me of ‘fishing’ for queer folks in order to make content to make me ‘look’ inclusive. What she didn’t know is I was a queer woman who just hadn’t come out yet, and those comments hurt. She was coming from a place of validity and protectiveness, but at the same time alienating someone in that very space.

I publicly came out, and received tons of positivity from my little community. I felt authentically myself at that point, and since then continue to connect with the most amazing clients who share the same passions and beliefs that I do, and it’s an amazing feeling. I don’t just work for money, I work for connection and the art of it, and my clients can tell.

I could try to stay trendy, travel constantly for content and shoot what I think will get me noticed…but the only people I care about noticing me are the people who deserve a space where they feel loved and accepted for who they are. I’ve found my people and that’s been worth all the risk.

Cat, 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 Cat, a moment-loving photographer who specializes in elopements and intimate weddings. I’m queer, I’m weird, and if you like that then we should be friends. I’ve created a safe space for folks who want to have a moment in their life documented in the truest way possible, in a way that they can be totally unfiltered and have the end result feel exactly the same as the moment itself.

I’m unapologetic, loud about the things for which I have a passion, and full of love. I believe heavily in karma and energy, and if you’re good people then I want to have you around!

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Honestly, professionalism. I don’t mean that in the sense that I don’t practice decorum day to day, but that learning to loosen the tie or forego the blowout so to speak can do wonders. I’m not a tight laced, stiff shoulder person and when I pretended I was, I didn’t reach the clientele that made me happy. Once I shook it off and started being me, I drew in the people that really make me love what I do.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Google! SEO certainly isn’t easy, but if you can take the time to learn a few things you can start to boost your ranking and result in searches for the things you WANT to be associated with.

Contact Info:

• Website: forestandfog.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/forestandfogco