Today we’d like to introduce you to Katina Elizabeth.
Hi Katina, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I have always loved art, my parents were artists so I feel that it was hard wired into my brain. I grew up drawing, mostly female figures in beautiful outfits. In high school I began to paint fantasy imagery, but once I discovered the joys of photography I haven’t turned back to those mediums. I realized I was able to create with real subjects and turn those subjects into artwork. It was amazing to me. I started photography when I was 17 years old. I began with friends of mine. I would have them come over where I would do their hair and makeup and then dress them in my own clothing. We would drive around my small home town in Illinois and find unique places to shoot. These shoots would last hours, using only natural light. I had no idea what I was doing, I just knew it filled my soul with joy to create something new and beautiful.
I started posting my photography on social media, at that time it was Myspace, which started to get me real clients! The majority of that was senior portraits, but I did get a lot of girls my age wanting new photos to post for their profiles online. Those were my favorite shoots because I was able to get so creative with those and go a little more fantasy or fashion themed with them!
After years of my business growing in that small town, I realized I had gone as far as I could with where I was. I thought, if I really wanted to take the next step with my career I needed to move somewhere new. Thankfully, one of my best friends lived close to Minneapolis MN and invited me to move in with her to start a new life in a new city.
I packed my bags and within a couple of weeks of that conversation, I began my new life in Minneapolis! It was so exciting and inspiring to be in a city with so much art and culture!
I soon met the love of my life and now fiancé Jarod. He played a huge role in pushing me to follow my dreams. No one has ever put so much belief in me, I have him to thank for pushing my along in the times I felt I wasn’t good enough.
I found a job at a boudoir photography studio where I was able to find a community of like minded women that loved photography as much as I did. I learned so much about studio lighting, posing and angles working there. I fell so in love with the environment and the women I worked with, I stayed working with that studio for 5 years. I am forever grateful for the lessons I’ve learned through that studio, and the amazing women I’ve met through it! But I did start to find myself a bit lost after all those years. I had moved to this new city to start my own business and had lost sight of my motivation for leaving home. As much as I loved working there, I decided to leave that company so I could refocus on my goal.
After leaving the studio it was a lot of hard work, and a fair amount of stress, but I have never been so proud of myself. Starting over is scary, but to quote Jack Canfield; “Everything you want is on the other side of fear.” Now I have a thriving photography business where I can empower women of all walks of life creating beautiful images for them to cherish forever. I truly am living the life I have always wanted for myself and can’t wait to see what more the future holds.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in female photography, I like to mix sensuality and empowerment into fine art photographs. The most important aspect of what I do is helping these women see how beautiful they truly are and empowering them to own their looks and what makes them unique. To love their so called flaws and to remember they are worthy. I want these women to experience an editorial moment where they can feel like a celebrity, doted upon and treated as the royalty I believe they are. We provide professional makeup, hair styling, and even wardrobe and accessories so my clients don’t need to worry about a single thing and can enjoy and thrive in the entire experience!
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.katinaelizabeth.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/katinaelizabethphotography
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/katinaelizabethphotography
