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

Katherine, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

My parents were fantastic…not perfect, but still fantastic.

They provided me with a childhood filled with amazing experiences. Many of them were in the creative arts such as dance, music, writing and more.

My busienss is named after my Dad, Panos. He was an immigrant and had true grit like no one I have ever met. He was the best role model for me in terms of not giving up. Never Quit, was a mantra I grew up with. This lesson has served me well, especially when trying to be a paid artist.

One small story to illustrate the impact my dad had on me….

In his mid life years, he got Multiple Sclerosis. He could barely move anymore. But he insisted on installing a DIY closet organizer in all of the closets in our house. It took weeks. I remember trying to help him, but he refused. He just kept on and on no matter how impaired he was. And he finished! I remember the look on his face like, “Yeah, bring it MS. I am not going down easy”.

He was an inspiration for sure.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Photography is a second career for me. Before this I was a special education teacher in Los Angeles Unifed. Photography had always been something I liked though, so when I left teaching, it was a natural step.

I got into pregancy and newborn photos because of my interaction with Moms. As a teacher, I got to see up close the sacrifices moms make. I realized that I never really appreciated my own mom. Not enough anyway. And I still feel bad about that.

So now, through my portraits of pregnancy, newborn, Mommy and Me, I really try to show the connection bewteen mother and child. Certainly not a new concept, but one that speaks deeply to me.

What sets me apart from many photographers is my trainting. I apprenticed and mentored with the best in Los Angeles for over 1200 hours. That kind of experience is not something everyone has.

I also offer photo to painting and digital composite services, and not all photographers can do that.

When you work with me, it is an experience. We consult together and plan out what kinds of portraits we want to create. It is not just show up and snap snap. Heirloom portraits don’t happen like that, especially with newborns.

I am most proud of my creative process and how I work with clients. Every session is customized. I enjoy meeting people and listening to why they want photos and what they want to acccomplish with them.

When I see a portrait that we worked together to create hanging in a client’s home, I feel like I have been a part of something important.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I love the blank slate. When I get a new client, and I hear what they want, I enjoy those moments when there are several possibilites. For many sessions, I create my one sets, balloon garlands, tutus, headpieces and more. It just depends.

When I see the final photos, it’s a rush, for sure. I can say, “I brought this image into reality”, and that is a great feeling.

The same is true when I create digital composites or photo to paintings. Almost anything is possible in those first moments when I sit down to get started. I just love that.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Believe it or not, Ads have been the best source of new clients for me. I believe this is because finding expecting or new moms can be tricky. Many Facebook Groups that target my audience have rules against promoting a business, so those are not open to me. And, you cannot exacly crash prenatal yoga classes or exercise classes with flyers…LOL. I mean, that would be so rude.

So ads for me on Facebook and IG have been quite useful. Many people opt to come and meet me at my studio first for a consultation, and once they are here, they are sold 90% of the time.

I also get many referrals and repeat clients.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.panosproductions.net
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/panosphotography
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/panosphotography
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZBbajEByaFQ4HwMZ6a8cSg
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/panos-productions-photography-los-angeles-2

Image Credits

All Images by Katherine Katsenis