Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Katherine Mcconnell. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Katherine, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?
My parents encouraged me from a young age to pursue my dreams. Although my mother has a fine art degree & accounting degree, she ended up on the accounting career path to have more stability in her life. As long as I can remember she has nurtured my love for art. It was all I ever wanted to do, and so I’ve danced and taken art classes my entire life. Because my mom took the safe route with her career, she always has tried to teach me to not be afraid to reach for more. Both her and my dad always taught me to work hard and take pride in everything I do. I don’t know how I ever would have made it as far as I have without the two of them always being my number one cheerleaders.
Katherine, 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?
I am a 2013 graduate from Columbus College of Art & Design with my BFA in Photography. When I first graduated it was tough figuring out what I wanted to do with my degree. The jobs I was offered I never wanted to stay at, & the jobs I aspired to have I couldn’t seem to get. After years of job disappointments and mishaps, I found my way into freelancing. In Columbus, Ohio most of my photography experience was portrait, but when I moved to Chicago, Illinois in 2018 so many doors opened up. I found myself doing a little bit of everything here (which I absolutely love).. But I found myself doing food photography here, and it’s become my calling. I am a huge people person, & I love working with small restaurants/business owners, and being able to capture their art (their cooking & their story), with my photography.
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.
When I first started try to freelance full time I had many people not understand what I was trying to do. I kept hearing “Go get a real job.” I think what many non-creatives may not understand is that not everyone’s job looks the same. Not every job is 9-5 Monday-Friday, with a standard formula on how to be successful. In the creative world there is so much trial and error. There is so much figuring out that what works best for you & your specific field, may not work best for someone else & their specific field. I had another photographer tell me once “Tune out the people who don’t understand what you are doing. Put your head down and work hard, and eventually you will see results.” That was honestly some of the best advice that helped me get to where I am today. So to all the non-creatives out there, try not to see things so black & white. Try to remember that everyone’s journey is different.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
I think I’ve had never ending lessons about resilience on this journey. I think all small business owners are constantly being tested on their resilience. I had to have resilience to tune out the people who said I couldn’t make a living this way. I had to have resilience thru the pandemic to learn to pivot and try new ways of doing business. I had to have resilience this past year while juggling hardships in my personal life, & still running my business. I find I’m constantly surprising myself with my ever evolving resilience.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mykat.net
- Instagram: @mykat
