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

Kate, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s talk about social media – do you manage your own or do you have someone or a company that handles it for you? Why did you make the choice you did?

Social media is the name of the game these days, at least in the creative industry. Currently I am running my own social media accounts and actually taking a tiny “break” from the regular schedule considering it is off season for me at the moment. I don’t really see a reason for myself as a photographer to have anyone else running my socials, I want whatever is posted to authentically feel like me.

I believe social media has so much power, however since I have only finished my second season with sports photography, I am still working on growing my following. I will say, I have met so many other creatives and made so may friendships that are so valuable. I have had the chance to create relationships where if I am having issues in the industry I have people to reach out to for advice and I truly have social media to thank for that!

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?

Hi, I’m Kate! I have always loved sports, in high school I wanted to do anything that would keep me in that world and I wanted to pursue athletic training. Life had other plans and here I am covering athletes I never dreamed of meeting. I have been fortunate enough to have been allowed the opportunity to work for the Norfolk Tides (MiLB affiliate for the Baltimore Orioles) for a second season this year. I am a strong believer in things will always happen how they are supposed to. Before my first game I reached out via email in the off season, and they were able to schedule me in and have me shadow one of their regular photographers. From that game on I have been hooked.

I currently work for the Tides, however I also had the chance to cover a handful of games over the last two seasons for the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (MiLB affiliate for the Miami Marlins). On a different level, I do get to work with college athletes as well. I cover games for Virginia Peninsula Community College, Old Dominion University and for summer ball athletes I work with the Peninsula Pilots in the Coastal Plain League.

I am probably most proud of my progress I have made in a short amount of time. Before I was able to shadow Sydney Smith at the Tides, I hadn’t even shot a baseball game before. If you know anything about cameras and capturing action, I had pretty much no clue what I was doing. Considering I had only really covered semi pro football beforehand and the speed of a baseball is a lot faster than someone running a ball.

I truly am just so thankful for everyone who has allowed me to follow my passion and take steps into the sports world. I am so thankful for the fellow creatives, and the higher ups who took a chance on me and then hired me. I am so happy to be here!

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

It’s going to sound so silly, but truthfully the most rewarding aspect being a sports photographer is when a parent of an athlete reaches out to buy the images of their kids. Maybe because I am a mom myself, but when a mother reaches out for pictures of their fully grown adult son it makes me feel so good. I am so glad that I am able to create something that people want to keep for memories or for families who live across the country aren’t able to make it to all the games and they follow or interact with me just to keep up with their family.

Of course, a close second would be my images making it into different publications or articles. That’s also pretty cool!

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

This is something I deal with more than I’d like. If you’re in the sports world, you know that you have to spend money to make money. You have to cover games for free to show people what you are capable of. “Non-creatives” will tell you all of the time, “you’re wasting time with that”. Which, I do understand. While yes, I am investing my time and gas money into things this is also something I am so passionate about that I know ultimately will work out in the end.

When I was covering semi pro football, I didn’t think there was a chance in the world that I would be paid to work a whole season worth of professional baseball. You just have to pay your dues and wait for your time, it will come. With that being said, you still have to work your hardest and put out the best possible work you can.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://katekirschphotography.mypixieset.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katekirschphotography/