We recently connected with Katie Hess and have shared our conversation below.

Katie , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you tell us a bit about who your hero is and the influence they’ve had on you?

My hero is actually not just one person – it’s my 4 tiny humans. They make everything better. They are kind, brave, silly, and know the true values in life, more than any adult can fathom. Without them this business would not exist, and I wouldn’t feel the love that I do for my work. I truly enjoy capturing all types of photography, creating art, and learning anything and everything! But the only reason that I picked up a camera in the first place, when my oldest son was 3, was because I had wished I learned it long before my kids were born so that I could have had it to capture every little detail of their existence. The only reason I started offering this to other families at first, wasn’t to make money, it was to just simply make sure others had these memories as well. And to make sure that moms were in the pictures! When I had surprise twin boys in 2023, it really encouraged me to turn this into a full time business so that I could better juggle life with 4 children. Every session that I do reminds me of the 4 tiny humans who pushed me to do this. My son for being my first baby and feeling like I didn’t have a camera soon enough. My daughter, for being a force to be reckoned with, showing me I would be good at helping other moms get pictures of those little forces. And my twin boys, who showed me life is full of surprises and plans go unexpectedly, increasing the value I see in capturing moments before life changes. And lastly, my 4 kids constantly remind me that they love me unconditionally and I try to bring that authenticity and love into the images I create with others. I feel like one lucky mama and small business owner to have these little heroes!

Katie , 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 34 year old mama to 4 kids! I enjoy spending my time hanging out with my family, going to the Poconos, and reading! I got into this industry simply by being a mama and wanting to freeze time, wishing I could slow things down. I offer photography art to families and couples. I specialize in families, newborns, and maternity sessions. I try to make the process as seamless as possible for my clients by prepping them for our session prior to the session date, offering client closet outfits for mom, newborn, and children, and making my sessions more about about fun and love instead of focusing on saying “cheese” to the camera. I think what sets me apart from others is I can relate to my clients on a lot of levels. I have sons, I have a daughter, I have twins, I have/had older kids, babies, newborns. My twins are my rainbow babies. My business is to support my family. I know the sleepless nights and the first day of kindergarten. I know the mom guilt and the pure joy of being with the family you created. What I mean by this, is I am in the trenches and triumphs with my clients, and if I am not in the exact phase as them now, I wasn’t too long ago and I to an extent understand them and am going through these ever-changing phases of life along with them. In my business, I am not most proud of the session, or the instagram post, or even the experience with me. I am most proud of being the person that provides the permanent memory of your loved ones. That 50 years from now, your kids will look back on these photos, and have no idea who I am at all, but be able to see “wow look how much my mom loved me. Look how much fun I had with dad!” I think having a profession that long outlives you, is the most incredible job and I just feel really honored.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

In 2022 we had just moved into a new home, I had a job that I enjoyed (and did photography on the side!), and 2 littles. A month after moving into our new home, I found out I was pregnant with twins! I tried to stick out working my job and raising 4 kids until the twins were 8 months old. I quickly realized working remotely with 4 kids was not only impossible, but wasn’t really safe for the twins as they got more mobile. I had to decide what to do next and as a family we agreed that turning this photography into a full time business was our best option! So basically overnight I had to go from a hobbyist photographer to a full time business. It was a lot of learning, growing, and juggling but we figured it out! While I wasn’t expecting to ever do this full time, it was the best decision and I absolutely could not love it more. I feel very grateful that life changed my plans for me and I get to do this!

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.

I think that some non-creatives might not understand the time it takes to be a successful creative. The marketing, editing, planning, and creating are not something that just happen. There is a lot of behind the scenes for photographers aside from attending the session and capturing the images. Creating truly beautiful, meaningful art, that aligns with your clients vision is a mental and emotional investment. It doesn’t just happen – but when it does come together it’s a beautiful, beautiful thing!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://katiehessphotography.mypixieset.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katiehess.photography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Katiehessphotography-100075903699241/

Image Credits

Katie Hess Photography, LLC.