We recently connected with Kate Cagle and have shared our conversation below.
Kate, appreciate you joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
There were many moments when I thought I would be an artist. In 5th grade, I would obsessively redraw Disney characters and aspired to work for Disney as an Illustrator. Or in High School, when I had my first art show with my AP Art class. But through the ebbs and flows of life, I got it in my head that being an artist was a hobby or that you had to “starve” and that I needed to pursue something considered a “real job.”
Fast forward to my 20s, I was standing in the rain, having spent the last hour having a panic attack, talking on the phone with my brother. I had been on a path to becoming a Radiologic Technologist, and I only knew that I was deeply unhappy. I felt like a failure like I was letting everyone down if I didn’t continue on the path that I was on.
Then my brother said something so profound that provided so much clarity to me. “You are a f*cking Artist. You need to be making Art.”
I have been on this journey ever since
Kate, 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 am a Family photographer who services the Metro Detroit area and beyond. I specialize in Family Photojournalism which is a snapshot behind the curtain of parenthood. It embraces and celebrates life’s imperfections in a world of curated feeds. You think you will remember all the little details, but life moves fast and time is a thief.
I offer a relaxed photo session experience, like hanging out with a friend who happens to have a camera. I provide sessions that go anywhere from one hour to six. The longer the session, the more likely families will let their guard down enough to capture those little pockets of magic.
Whether you are a new client or a returning one, I am always honored to be invited into your world and hold that with dear reverence. Unconventional portraits set me apart from other artists in the Family Photography Industry. I look for joy, laughter, and quiet and contemplative moments. It is essential to recognize that this life is a spectrum of experiences that deserve celebration.
Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
Research to see if your state has a Small Business Development Center. Michigan has the SBDC, which offers free resources to most small businesses. There, I met a wonderful mentor who helped me make my business legal and gave me the guidance I needed to grow, anything from marketing to writing a sales pitch; you can learn from them.
Also, it is essential to find a creative community; whether online or in-person, it is great to have people to bounce ideas off of. Resources like CreativeLive and Clickin Community were extremely helpful in introducing me to new photography styles and artists who are forerunners in their genre and have influenced the type of photographs I create.
Lastly, find a mentor! Find someone who aligns with you spiritually and mentally and can help elevate you and your business.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The photos are a product of a beautiful, energetic and creative exchange with the families I photograph. The most rewarding aspect of this work will always be that people trust me enough to tell their stories. If I can show a Mom what a great job she is doing, even for a fraction of a moment, I am happy. To say my heart is full after a photo session is an understatement.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.katherinekcaglephoto.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katherinek.cagle_photo/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Katecaglephoto
Image Credits
Headshot photo by Ellie Francis Photography