We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kate Mulleneaux. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kate below.

Hi Kate, thanks for joining us today. It’s easy to look at a business or industry as an outsider and assume it’s super profitable – but we’ve seen over and over again in our conversation with folks that most industries have factors that make profitability a challenge. What’s biggest challenge to profitability in your industry?

I have been taking portraits for 20 years – I was born and raised in an era that saw the rise of digital cameras, smart phone technology and the ability to take pictures anytime you want. I think the greatest challenge to my industry is that photography is not as specialized as it used to be. Consumers either don’t need photos because they are perfectly content with the photos their smart phones take or that there are so many photographers in your area that the industry is saturated, and it is hard to stand out.

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.

My name is Kate, and I’m the owner of Moments, LLC. I’m a portrait photographer based in Colorado. My niche varies covering everything from senior portraits to headshots, maternity, and more. I got into photography as a hobby when I was really young—back when Polaroid cameras first came out—and I’ve been hooked ever since. Over the years, everything became my model: hamsters, friends, still-life setups with flowers, leaves, house plants, you name it.

After high school, I moved out on my own and took my first big leap by buying a DSLR camera—my Sony Alpha 200. That was the moment everything really started. I took pictures of anyone who’d let me, and I learned from online resources and countless photography books. I still read a ton and take courses because there’s always room for growth. I officially launched Moments, LLC in December 2018, and it’s grown steadily every year. I’m proud of that.

Right now, I offer family portraits, maternity shoots, senior portraits, headshots, and more. I’m still trying to find my specific niche and style, but that’ll come with more time and experience. One thing I do know is that what sets me apart from other photographers is my approach to pricing. I don’t believe in upcharging for every little thing. Sure, some people make more money that way, but that’s not how I want to do business. The world is expensive enough as it is, and capturing memories shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg.

Offering affordable family portraits is something I’m really proud of and something that really sets me apart from my competition. Growing up, and even now as I have my own kids, my family has never had professional portraits taken because they were too expensive and I refuse to pass that burden on to my clients. I know that goes against the grain in the photography world, and I’ve had other photographers criticize my pricing model. My clients appreciate it though, and that’s what matters to me.

I can keep my prices low because I don’t spend hours in post-production. My process is straightforward: I take the portraits, and I usually have them ready within 1-2 days. As long as clients know what to expect—meaning they’re not getting heavily Photoshopped, high-art edits—they’re happy to have some great pictures at an affordable price.

This approach is something I plan to stick with because, as the world gets tougher, I want family portraits to be a little bit of light in people’s lives.

How did you build your audience on social media?

For anyone just starting out, I highly encourage making great use of social media. There are millions of potential clients waiting for you—you just have to find a way to reach them. I love how the different social media platforms help get your work out there. I use TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube to market myself. It starts small, but the more you post and engage, the more you’re seen.

It showcases your work.
It shows your passion.
Most importantly, it shows your personality.
Talking to people online not only gets your work out there but also lets people see who YOU are. I’ve spent a lot of time engaging with people, and the more I talk to them, the more comfortable they feel letting me photograph their families and capture their unique dynamics. Every family is different, and it’s so much better to take photos when you’ve had a chance to get to know them.

That’s not to say I’ve been able to spend time with all my clients before shooting, but with the ones who have warmed up to me, you can really see it in their photos. The images look and feel more natural. To add to all this, it helps to post daily. Let people see who you really are. Post your work, but also post your pets, your cups of coffee with fancy shapes, your silly faces and your trials and tribulations. Make yourself relatable and the rest will fall in line naturally.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

Interestingly enough, even though I use a lot of social media outlets to get my work out there, I have found most of my clients through word of mouth. When people I have photographed tell their friends and family about their experiences, I usually end up getting a phone call with a session inquiry. I firmly believe that there is no advertisement quite as great as word of mouth. It is coming from first-hand experience, so people really trust it and with that they believe in my product.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.moments-llc.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moments_llc
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/momentscolorado
• Twitter: https://x.com/MomentsColorado
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/moments-arvada-7