We recently connected with Katelyn King and have shared our conversation below.
Katelyn , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
Most of my projects are extremely meaningful to me, but if I had to choose one at this moment I’d have to say my most recent project entitled: A DC Love Story. A collage including portraits of around 300 DC-based artists and creatives.
I’m originally from Montgomery County, Maryland but moved away when I was 11. Moving around a lot with my family, and then on my own after High School. After a few years alone out west, an emptiness was growing inside me. Don’t get me wrong it’s beautiful over there, but it became starkly apparent to me that my home is in the DMV area – and I needed to get back there ASAP. Culturally, this is where I feel I can be my whole self. Everywhere else I’d lived it felt like only one facet of my personality would be accepted and/or appreciated.
Coming back to the DC area as an adult was like seeing and experiencing it with a new set of eyes. I began to notice what a profound amount of creative talent was populating the area – but it felt like a little-known secret and I was determined to make it known. Since 2019 I’ve been focused on photographing the underground art scene – about 400 artists/creatives and counting and I still haven’t scratched the surface. As someone who’s always had an affinity for artistic expression, but was consistently told it’s an unrealistic, unpractical lifestyle – it’s pushed me to support, connect, and encourage artists of all mediums through my work. An Artist’s artist. This collage pays homage to everyone I’ve worked with, and gotten to know, and this artful community as a whole—a year in the making and 4 years worth of photographs.
I’d also like this to serve as a reminder that although this scene is very tight-knit and with that comes conflicts, we all have a common goal and that is to make beautiful art that matters to us. I have respect for anyone doing so. Be compassionate, treat people with respect, and make great art.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Katelyn King, and I’m a photographer, creative director, and producer. From the age of 13 (2008), photography has had a chokehold on me in the best way. From the time I got my first phone with a camera in it (and EnV 3), I knew what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Haven’t stopped pursuing photography ever since.
Virgil Abloh once shared a sentiment that the trick to mastering your craft is in your scrappyness. Never use your circumstances as an excuse as to why you can’t produce. It’s not about the budget, it’s about your creativity – about expression. Learning to work and create with less only helps you do more with less and therefore more with more. That’s exactly how I honed my skills as a creative. It’s like a workout, if you try to deadlift 400 pounds your first time in a gym, chances are you’re going to hurt yourself.
I remember playing dress up with my little sister (the only accessible “model” I had at the time), styling her, doing her makeup, posing her, directing her, etc. to create *something. I didn’t even know what I was going for at the time. Most of those shoots came out horrible might I add. Since then I’ve been so laser-focused on photography that I’ve spent almost every spare second and every dime I’ve made on camera equipment or something photography-related. Throughout the years I’ve experienced the loss of two hard drives (10 years worth of my art), over $8,000 worth of equipment, homelessness, abusive relationships, and the list goes on.
My objective as a creator is to inspire other artists and creatives to ruthlessly pursue their craft. As I’ve grown as an artist I’ve realized I’m more than just someone who takes pictures. Pursuing a creative career isn’t glamorous, it isn’t easy, and it can be incredibly discouraging at times. We all have unique challenges and if you’re blessed enough to find what you’re passionate about, you can make that struggle mean something. Make it painfully positive. Make it into something beautiful, something that gives you and others hope.
Throughout the rest of my life and career, my main focus isn’t just to take pictures – it’s to inspire, connect and contribute to other artist’s journeys.
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
A few years ago I read a book entitled: Steal like an Artist. Before reading the book I was plagued with the constant pressure to ‘find my niche’. However, I interpreted it as having to do something completely new that the world has never seen before. The book helped me realize that there is nothing new under the sun. We all have a unique collection of things, experiences, and people that have inspired us to become who we are. The takeaway of it all is that you will never meet anyone with all the same experiences and influences as you. The way you interpret and reflect on your experience is your niche. It’s something only you can do the way you do. Soak up as much as you can. Experience without expectation and you will fall into your niche. It will find you, just let it flow. Be like water.
The trick is to know your purpose or mission. What keeps you up at night? What do you wish other people knew or understood more? Never tie yourself to a single craft. If I lose my sight tomorrow and can never take another photograph again, I still know my purpose – the medium in which I choose to communicate can be ever-changing but the sentiment is the same.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
Art is not a competition, there is room for all of it. Early on in my journey as a creative, I’d see other people excelling in their craft and it sometimes made me angry – jealous. It’s embarrassing to say, but I couldn’t help but feel like I deserved it more. Like I was entitled to success because of x, y, z. All of that is irrelevant and the more you focus on what you don’t have the less time you have to focus on your personal growth. Arrogance is assuming your struggle is greater than others, it’s self-centered and creates the effect of having blinders on. You can’t see the full scope. No one’s journey is the same and no one’s journey is immune to struggle and that’s why art is so diverse and ever-changing. Your journey is what makes you great, and if you had the same experience as someone else, well, you’d just be a clone. Comparison is the death of creativity.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://katelynking.squarespace.com/stories
- Instagram: Katelyn.Clix
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katelyn-king-570b35b1/
- Youtube: @katelynkingable
Image Credits
Long-Live Gogo – 14th and U NW DC 2020
Free Palestine March on Washington – November 4th 2023
Alternative Renaissance – YG, Helly (helllyyyyyy), Joozzii (@j00zzii), Tae Hendrix (@basedkauai), Olivia Nzang (@livxfriends) 2022
Life on Mars – Arches National Park, Utah 2016
Nature’s Geometry – Somewhere in North Carolina 2013