We were lucky to catch up with Kate Ivy recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Kate, thanks for joining us today. What’s the best or worst investment you’ve made (either in terms of time or money)? (Note, these responses are only intended as entertainment and shouldn’t be construed as investment advice)

As a photographer obviously there are a lot of things to invest in finically – you need a nice camera, lens, editing software, a computer, platforms to share your images, etc. But the best investment I have made have been the workshops I have been to. Throughout my career as a wedding photographer I have been to a couple intense workshops specifically for other wedding photographers. Not only do you get content for your website and social media (both workshops had multiple content shoots with real couples), you also get education. One of the workshops the lead photographer who was leading the workshop spent time with each of us looking at our website and giving us valuable feedback. After building confidence and knowledge and content I was able to really get my business taking off. Workshops can cost time and money but the value they bring when applied to your business is immeasurable.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

Of course! I have been interested in photography for as long as I can remember – I always had a disposable or point and shoot camera in my pocket. And would scrapbook in High School and College. I just love looking back at memories and capturing life. As I got older my sister encouraged me to invest in a DSLR camera and take more photography classes. I ended up second shooting for a friend who was a wedding photographer and fell in love with capturing – love.

Now my business is mostly wedding photography and couples but I love the story photos tell and how they take you back to a moment or place in time. Some of my all-time favorite photos are not of special events or everyone looking at the camera and smiling – but the “behind the scenes” of everyday life photos.

My dad recently passed and as I look back at remnants of the life he lived, photos become the most important evidence and reminders of who he was. Obviously, a photographer is someone who you hire at certain times of your life but I am a big believer in the importance of keeping and looking back at the authentic photos that tell a story.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

When your career is based off of your own creativity – there is a different kind of pressure involved. There are so many components to what feeds or starves your drive. I see this a lot with musicians or writers. It’s like if you haven’t experienced life, pain, adventure – what are you even going to write about? Or maybe there is trauma in your life that blocks your creativity.

I remember listening to the comedian Dane Cook a lot when I was younger – for a while it felt like he was consistently funny and producing more material. And then, both of his parents died. If there is anyone to make jokes about something like that – it’s him. And I think there was a pressure to keep producing material. But it was different. He was obviously in mourning and grieving – yet we put this expectation on artist to entertain us or perform. Because, yes – it’s our job. But artists are not machines.

People and stories are what matter the most to me and so that’s what I focus on. There may become a time where I put too much pressure on my art and creativity to pay the bills but that isn’t fair to my art. My art should exist outside of how many likes it gets or if it pays the bills. My art should exists even if no one sees it. I think for some people their creative outlet has provided them enough money to live their dream life and that’s awesome but I will treat my creative side to show up when it feels most free to and to relieve the pressure by having a supplemental income if needed.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

When I create for others and they get excited or are just as in love with their photos as I am. When they feel seen. When the photos spur on more self love.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kateivyphotography.com
• Instagram: www.instgram.com/kateivyphotography

Image Credits
Photo of me taken by Caroline Brackney. All other photos taken by me Kate Ivy Photography