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

Alright, Kat thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

My mission as a photographer is to make authentic images of people that spark attraction or instill wonder to the viewer. I believe that people are interesting. We don’t have watch movies or read novels to discover that every individual has their own stories and uniqueness to this world. My mission as a photographer is to draw out the core essence of a person and capture luminous, crisp images that have an authentic feel to them. In addition to making images of individuals, I like to document the special relationships between people, whether it is love, friendship, or family. I also find it important to record people engaging in the activities they feel closest to their true being (ie: playing an instrument, interacting with animals, pursuing a hobby, practicing a craft/their job etc.).

The reason this mission is so important to me personally, begins with my childhood. Unfortunately, I did not get an opportunity to meet my grandparents. However, we had several images of them tucked away in photo albums where I got to meet them visually. It brought so much comfort for me to look at these images over the years, and I remember the deep impressions I got by drinking in every detail that I could. When I make images of people living their lives, running their businesses, and loving their loved ones, I am serving them in the present. However, these stories we make today will long outlive my cameras, my hands, and our era of human history.

Kat, 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?

Starting in middle school, I used film and digital cameras to document landscapes, sunsets, portraits of my friends, family, and our beloved pets. I also used to write in a journal every single day. When I moved to Italy in my early 20s, writing about my day became an exhausting task when there was so much to record and my brain was fried from learning a new language. This was when photography became a priority in my personal life. I documented the streets of Rome, the alleyways of my neighborhood in Southern Italy, and the sweet faces that I loved while thousands of miles away from my home. This experience left such an impression on my life, and I cherish the photos I took more every time I look at them. I want my clients to feel this way when they look at our images as time goes by. I want them to feel teleported back in time to their wedding day, or remember what it was like to hold all 3 of their children at once when they were little. I want people to see the evolution of their business as we document their mission and growth.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Almost all of my marketing is done by word of mouth. People generally come to me for work, which is really cool. Since my product is imagery, people can immediately see my quality of work, and if they like it, they can schedule with me. I appreciate my clients sharing my social media and website information when they share my images with their communities online. I feel like my level of engagement and interaction with clients has a reputation for making my clients feel comfortable and more likely to recommend my services. Having your photo taken can feel vulnerable, and investing in professional photography for a business can be an intimidating endeavor for some people. Thankfully, my clients tend to recommend me to their friends and other industry professionals.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn that I am in total control of a photoshoot.

Making photographs is a form of communication. I try my best to help my clients feel as comfortable as possible and distract them from feeling hyper self-aware and insecure with my camera around. Sometimes it is easy to disarm a person and get comfortable quickly, but occasionally it takes a little more to help people relax into themselves. I go into each photo shoot with an open mind. I do not expect people to be any kind of way. I simply try my best to be open to the natural flow of the environment, connect with the people and simplify the process where needed. I have learned that I am in control of my mindset, directions, camera settings, and choices. However, the communication between me, my subjects, and my camera is as unique as the individual I am capturing. Clients often tell me that we wound up having a lot more fun and enjoyed the experience more than they expected, and this makes me so happy.

Contact Info:

• Website: katberbari.com
• Instagram: @katberbariphotography
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katalinaberbariphotography/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleen-berbari-436469133/
• Google Business: https://maps.app.goo.gl/7LzBXEVSdXvUpPSZ6

Image Credits
Photos Top Left: Jewelry Shoot for Business Top Right: Family Photos a mother with her daughters Next Left: A bride laughs nervously right before she walks down the aisle Next Right: A couple elopes privately to Mt Hood on a summer day Next Left: Massage therapist specializing in Sarga Bodywork posing in the Oregon Dunes Next Right: An engaged couple celebrating love in the Columbia River Gorge Bottom Left: Portrait of a businessman Miguel Board Bottom Right: Portrait of a mother with her firstborn son