We were lucky to catch up with Katie Blondin recently and have shared our conversation below.

Katie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?

Being a wedding photographer and running my own business is very rewarding. I love the creative freedom and getting to be part of couples’ special days. Sometimes the responsibilities can be a lot, and I do wonder what it would be like to have a regular 9-to-5 job.

The last time this crossed my mind was during a really busy wedding season. I had shoots, editing, and client meetings and marketing goals all stacked up, plus balancing family time. One night, after a crazy long day, I caught myself daydreaming about a steady job with set hours and less pressure. The idea of clocking out and not having to think about work until the next day sounded pretty nice.

I was sitting in my living room, listening to my kids laugh and hanging out with my husband, and it hit me how much I value the flexibility I have. Despite the chaos, I can be there for my family, plan fun shoots and create content that’s totally me. The thought of missing out on these creative and personal moments made me appreciate my business even more.

While the thought of a regular job pops up now and then, the joy and freedom I get from what I do definitely outweigh the occasional stress. It just reaffirms how much I love running my own business and living this lifestyle.

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?

My interest in photography began back in high school. I went to Green Mountain High School, and I decided to take a film photography class beginning in my sophomore year. I ended up taking film photography through my senior year.

I ended up really enjoying my film photography classes and went on to win a couple of “top of the mountain” awards (best in photography my sophomore and in my junior year) and earned college credit. My parents bought me my first digital camera, and I continued on and off with photography, mostly shooting landscapes, until my best friend got engaged in our sophomore year of college. She asked me to take her engagement photos, which is what really initially sparked my pursuit of portrait photography.

After a couple of years, I took my interest in photography and turned it into a profitable business. I began taking marketing and portrait photography classes and continued to learn and grow in my craft. The beginning of 2019 is when I officially became a business here in Colorado, and I continue to learn and grow every day. I’m thrilled to see where this next year will take my business, and I look forward to the opportunity to capture many couples and their love stories.

As for what my business entails, I create joyful, vibrant imagery for families and couples. I help my clients press pause on the endless BUSY and make moments that matter.

I’m a sucker for natural light and creating real authentic moments rather than posed, forced photos (but I do enjoy the occasional picture-perfect image!). My products include digital images and print options. My brand can be described as modern, vibrant, and personable. It focuses on capturing authentic, joyful moments in a stylish and contemporary manner. My clients value a blend of elegance and naturalness, and appreciate a photographer who is both professional and relatable.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I jumped back and forth between what I really wanted to pursue after graduating college. I have a degree in biology and initially thought that I would pursue a career in medical laboratory science. My husband and I started our family pretty quickly after getting married, so I had a hard time narrowing down what I wanted to do as a career (i.e., stay home with the kids or work away from home full time).

I had to sit down and make an Excel sheet full of pros and cons (haha) to really figure it out. It took me months. I initially thought that I could leave my kids (aged 5, 3, and 1) at daycare and work as a med lab scientist, but I discovered that I didn’t like that idea. What I really wanted was to be with my kids and see them learn and grow as much as I could. I built this business so that I could be home with my kids and still pursue something that I’m passionate about.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

In short, it’s all about networking and genuine connections. I’ve really focused on building authentic relationships and creating opportunities to connect with others in the industry. Whether it’s through attending local events, collaborating on styled shoots like ‘Whimsy & Woofs,’ or simply engaging with others on social media, I’ve learned that genuine interactions go a long way.

For me, it’s not just about making business connections; it’s about building friendships. I find that when you approach networking with the intention of forming real relationships, it naturally leads to more trust and referrals. People are more likely to recommend someone they feel personally connected to and believe in.

One of the key strategies has been participating in community events and partnering with other local vendors. Being a part of such initiatives not only helps me reach a wider audience but also allows me to support and be supported by fellow business owners. It’s a win-win.

Additionally, I’ve made it a point to be consistent and reliable. When people know they can count on you to deliver high-quality work and be a dependable partner, your reputation naturally grows. Providing a personalized and positive experience for each client also contributes significantly. From the initial inquiry to the final delivery of photos, I strive to make the process as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

Overall, it’s the combination of networking, genuine connection, and consistently delivering great work that has helped build my reputation within the market.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.katieblondin.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/katieblondinphotography