We were lucky to catch up with Kait McKay recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kait, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Innovation comes in all shapes, sizes and across all industries, so we’d love to hear about something you’ve done that you feel was particularly innovative.

My business, Kait McKay Photography, specializes in lifestyle portraits, marketing photography and event photography with a storytelling emphasis. The typical expectation of a photographer is to show up, capture images, edit and deliver the final photos. I go beyond the traditional expected photography service to truly tell my clients’ stories including offering strategic public relations services to increase public exposure and promote services, brand values and messaging. With a proven track record for success in the public relations field, in addition to capturing photography for media and marketing use, I offer public relations campaigns from concept to completion. I create PR plans, write and distribute media materials (such as news releases and story pitches), coordinate interviews, capture relevant client imagery (including at events) along with photo caption details for media and provide a complete package to publications to garner awareness and exposure for my clients. I have the unique background and understanding of what’s “newsworthy” and what media needs and I’ve seen firsthand that is unusual for a photographer. I have always loved storytelling and I work with clients to tell authentic, rich, worthwhile and engaging stories through imagery for marketing use and in conjunction with reputable news outlets.

Kait, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

With an extensive background in photography and public relations, I help my clients to tell their stories. My clients have included nonprofits and businesses (large and small) as well as community leaders, individuals and families. Portrait, branding and event photography are among my specialties.

Have you ever had to pivot?

After graduating from college with a BA in Public and Corporate Communications I began working in the public relations (PR) field. My first job was with a small PR company with a photojournalism offering. It was a great fit because I had loved photography since childhood and even dabbled in it during college. It was in 2008-2009 that I professionally began serving nonprofits, businesses and individuals’ photographic needs as a photo mentee then eventually on my own.

Throughout my PR career, I have had the opportunity to tell stories through the written word and through my visual art. From that small PR company to a fast-growing PR agency, between media relations services and capturing clients’ events and stories, without realizing it I was creating a niche for myself: a full-service photographer with experience and a keen insight to the world of PR and photojournalism. I learned so much working at an agency, however, there were never enough hours in the day as the business grew and bouts of anxiety and my work/life balance became a struggle. I needed a change.

In the beginning of 2016 I made a bold move and left my thriving, full-time PR job and began Kait McKay Photography. Family and friends had encouraged it for a longtime. I had never planned to own a business but I had faith and took the leap. I am so glad I did. I’ve been happily providing photography along with PR services to select clients since. My clients have included nonprofits and businesses (large and small) as well as community leaders, individuals and families. The choices I’ve had and flexibility in owning my business have made a world of difference, including as my family grew and we welcomed a daughter. What a blessing to make my own schedule and have such precious time with my girl. There’s an infamous scene on the show “Friends” when they’re moving a couch up stairs. As the characters attempt this task, Ross yells “PIVOT!” It’s a great scene and a good reminder that sometimes you just need to “PIVOT!”

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

I am immensely grateful that my best source of new clients is referrals. Past and current clients as well as colleagues often refer me which is a huge blessing and has helped my service business to grow. I typically work with the same clients for years and create strong relationships. The trust they have in me is everything when recommending me to their colleagues, friends and family.

Additionally, clients writing positive reviews about my business online (I am so grateful for the five stars across multiple platforms, by the way!) has also helped to encouraged prospective clients to reach out and hire me. They read about past positive experiences of others, from my attention to detail, quality of photos and my work ethic. If you know me, you know I work really hard (my parents set an amazing example) and that I am quite enthusiastic and passionate about my work. I am dedicated to ensuring clients are beyond satisfied with each completed job. Many of my clients and colleagues have recognized these aspects of my work and send others my way. If you’re one of those people, THANK YOU!

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.kaitmckayphotography.com
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/kaitmckayphotography
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kaitmckayphotography/
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/kait-mckay-52515525
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/kait-mckay-photography-coeur-d-alene

Image Credits
Portrait of Kait McKay: Addyson Little Photography All other photos: Kait McKay Photography