We recently connected with Kie Tate and have shared our conversation below.

Kie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

Part of my journey was self taught in my teenage years. I would play around with graphics and images until early am in my room. I was fascinated with the endless possibility within creating. I always had some type of camera in my hand, when my passion hit me early 20’s that Photography would be my creative outlet; I began shooting landscape portraiture. I would practice every chance I had.

I wish that I had went to school for photography sooner and/or longer. I feel I didn’t get all of the knowledge I could have If I had chosen the longer path. The evolution of YouTube now has so much information to help photographers from lighting to editing tutorials and posing models. I would have utilized those tools more often than not then.

Knowing your camera, Knowing how to utilize light in any setting and having customer service & personable skills.

The obstacles I faced from being able to learn continously were financial and schedule wise. I juggled a 9-5, motherhood and school full-time. I was not able to jumpstart a career in photography as I wanted to full speed ahead. This market is very expensive, from the equipment to maintaining a website and social media, etc.

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 background and context?

I am Kie Tate, CEO of KieChey Photography, LLC . My studio is based in Raleigh, NC and I have been licensed since 2020!
I have been a photographer since 2013.
Published in multiple magazines; including international.
I specialize in editorial portraiture for the darker spectrum.
I am a creative director, stylist, videographer, editor and much more!

My top priority is to make sure that every client is comfortable and that they are having fun. I set a vibe that is inviting with conversation and music that relates to you! I love creating moments where I make people feel good about themselves. Even camera shy people, we all have a smile to share!

I am most proud of my drive and the strength I have had to keep pushing when times have been hard, especially through Covid. My love for photography will never go away, so I will continue to photography until I no longer can.

I am the photographer that likes to enhance but not overdo. I will never have someone not look like themselves. I like my clients to look natural. I do love that when you see my work, it speaks for itself. When you look at an image, everyone will have a different interpretation of it. That’s what art is.

What do you find most rewarding about being creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is that natural high you feel when you’re in the moment and everything has come together! You’ve put your heart and soul into a set and to see it flourish and be executed so clean is refreshing. I’m not sure how it is for other creatives but photographers in particular; ME, it’s hard to explain sometimes what you’re trying to create, especially if this vision was developed. You’re literally making something from scratch. You may have some type of mood board for a color scheme and wardrobe style but the actual “vision” itself, how it is in your head; it’s difficult to convey until it’s done. Once the art has been formed then you can say; “this is what I was talking about!”

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

I literally do it all. I have tons of business cards I keep on hand. I keep them everywhere; in my car, camera bag, and purse. You never know who you may run into and how they communicate. I am on multiple social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram and TikTok) and I stay consistent for the most part on all of them daily/weekly. I work with a wide age range, so I have to keep in mind some people may not be on social media or vice versa. The younger generation are all about TikTok. So I must make sure that I have all grounds covered. I post my information on how a potential client can reach me and book an investment on each post I make. For the past year, I would say social media overall has been the best source for new clients.
I also receive referrals from word of mouth or from past clients and they’ll book based on their experience.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kiechey.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/kiecheyphotography
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KieChey/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJdzitx69r-iuhVajMm7BtA/videos

Image Credits
My image IG @madelineglennjones