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

Hi Katie, thanks for joining us today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

I have always had a deep love for photography; it runs in my blood, as both my grandmother and great-grandfather were portrait photographers in addition to their full-time jobs. Because of that history, I initially thought of photography as just a hobby or a side-gig. I even went the practical route, earning my degree and becoming a Registered Nurse.

My business journey really began after we welcomed our first child. Like many new moms, I invested in a DSLR camera simply to take better pictures of my daughter. As I shared my work on Facebook, friends started asking me to take pictures of their families. That was the ‘aha’ moment where I realized I could monetize my passion.

I then invested in photography workshops to hone my technical and business skills and started operating as a legitimate part-time business alongside my nursing job. The business grew quickly, and I was able to drop my nursing hours to part-time. The major pivot came after our third child was born. I realized balancing a part-time nursing career, a rapidly scaling photography business, a marriage, and three young kids was unsustainable. Something had to give.

Quitting my nursing job to go full-time with photography was a huge leap of faith—going from a secure, bi-weekly paycheck to a variable income felt terrifying. But I took the jump and God has provided. I’ve been running my photography business full-time for over eight years now and, thankfully, it has grown into a consistent six-figure venture.

If I could go back in time, I actually wouldn’t change much about the sequence of events. I truly loved being a nurse and made some of my very best friends working in the NICU. My former co-workers were also a huge part of my initial success and continue to be amazing, loyal clients.

However, if I were trying to speed up the business process itself, the one thing I would have done earlier was invest in comprehensive business education.

While I knew how to take a beautiful photograph, I had to learn by trial-and-error how to run the business. Specifically, I would have benefited from learning how to execute all crucial aspects of a business much sooner: marketing systems to maintain consistent lead flow, money management strategies for navigating an inconsistent income stream, and pricing models that accurately reflect my value and effort. For many creatives, taking the leap means shedding the ‘hobby’ mindset and learning these fundamental entrepreneurial skills to truly thrive.

I am truly thankful for each step it took to get here, building an amazing family life alongside a thriving business.

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?

I’ve been capturing newborns, kids, and families in Central Kentucky since 2011. While I always loved photography (it’s a bit of a family legacy, as my grandmother and great-grandfather were portrait photographers), I initially pursued a career as a Registered Nurse, which I loved.

My photography business truly began after my first child was born. Like many new moms, I bought a camera to capture better photos of my daughter. As I shared my work, family, friends and former colleagues started requesting sessions. What began as a heartfelt hobby quickly grew into a thriving side business. Eventually, I took the leap of faith, leaving my nursing career after eight fulfilling years to dedicate myself to a full-time photography business.

My business is focused on capturing timeless memories for families the Danville, Lexington, and surrounding Central Kentucky areas.

My Core Services Include:

Newborn and Maternity Photography: Capturing the tender beginning of a family’s story.

Family Photography: Creating genuine, joyful portraits of kids and families.

Headshots & Branding Photography: Helping professionals and entrepreneurs elevate their business with authentic, trust-building images.

My goal is to preserve memories for families in a fun and stress-free way. Parents are overwhelmed and watching their children grow up in a blur. I capture those moments and stop time, ensuring those tiny toes, proud first sits, and genuine family connections are beautifully and professionally preserved. I also solve the problem of dreaded picture day by keeping sessions fun, relaxed, and entertaining so that kids can be themselves and husbands don’t dread the experience!

What truly sets my brand apart is the full-service, relaxed experience combined with a focus on timeless portraiture. My goal is to provide a joyful, relaxed experience. I focus on creating a fun atmosphere where children are encouraged to be themselves, which naturally draws out authentic smiles and emotions. I work quickly and keep the energy high to ensure even the most reluctant participants (like busy toddlers or skeptical dads!) have a good time.

While trends come and go, my photography emphasizes rich color, beautiful light, and classic compositions that stand the test of time.

Having been a nurse, I bring a unique blend of compassion and patience to every session. I guide clients through everything from personalized styling to clear communication, ensuring the process is stress-free from beginning to end.

I am most proud of the lasting relationships I’ve built. Many of my first clients from my nursing days are still clients today, trusting me to capture every new milestone in their families and often watching children grow from newborns to high school seniors. This long-term trust is the highest compliment I can receive.

The main thing I want potential clients to know is that hiring me is an investment in your peace of mind. You don’t have to stress about finding the perfect outfit, worrying if your kids will behave, or wondering if you’ll get that one good picture. I handle all the details, ensure the experience is fun for everyone, and dedicate myself to preserving the love, joy, and wonder of each family’s unique story.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

If I could rewind and give my younger self one piece of advice, it would be to invest in attending industry workshops and conferences sooner.

When I first started, I initially focused only on honing my photography skills. While I gained technical knowledge, the true game-changer has been attending in-person events that focus on the business of being a creative. These events have been instrumental for many reasons.

Workshops don’t just teach you about light and photography equipment; they teach you about pricing strategy, marketing, and systems that help turn a hobby into a profitable, sustainable business. I gained the knowledge to manage things like inconsistent income and scale my revenue.

Being a solopreneur, especially in a creative field, can be incredibly lonely. Attending in-person conferences was vital for surrounding myself with like-minded entrepreneurs. It creates a supportive community where we can learn from each other, share struggles, and celebrate successes. This sense of belonging is as important as any business lesson.

One resource that stands out is The Reset Conference. It not only connected me with fantastic educators whose resources I still use today, but it brought me some of my closest, most invaluable friends in the industry. That tight-knit community provides ongoing support, mentorship, and accountability long after the conference ends.

Ultimately, these events provided education that allowed me to grow and scale confidently. I recommend every creative invest in a few key events that resonate with their values and commit to showing up.

We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.

I focus on maintaining a relationship where I am the trusted expert in my field who is always there for my clients and someone they can call their friend, rather than just a vendor they see once.

My primary tool for regular connection is my monthly newsletter. This isn’t just about sales; it’s about providing value. I share easy styling tips, reminders about upcoming milestones (like when their four-month-old will be ready for a sitter session), and exciting behind-the-scenes content. It keeps me top-of-mind not by selling aggressively, but by serving consistently.

The key to my brand loyalty is proactively anticipating my clients’ needs. Since I photograph babies, I know exactly when a child will be ready for their six-month sitter session or their one-year cake smash. I use my client management system to automatically reach out before they even realize it’s time to book, offering a personalized email that says, “I know time is flying, let’s make sure we capture this next big step!” This shows them I’m paying attention to their family story.

The biggest factor is the experience during the session itself. Because I focus on making the session fun and stress-free, the family leaves feeling relieved and joyful. Over the years, many clients have genuinely become friends, and that personal connection ensures they not only come back but enthusiastically refer others.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.katseyephotog.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/katseyephotog
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/katseyephotog