We had the good fortune of connecting with Katelin Richardson and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Katelin, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I have tried to run my business while working in retail since 2018 and I came to the realization last year that if I wanted to have a successful business and grow myself as a photographer I would need to focus full time on photography. Luckily I was in a place where this is possible so I have spent the last 8 months diving fully into photography and my craft. I love portraiture and editorial fashion and I try to combine both in every shoot I do to create a unique experience for my clients. When restarting my business I have myself strict deadlines to get my business up and running and rebuild my portfolio. I spend time growing myself on social media everyday and trying to spread the word about my work with anyone and everyone I can.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My goal when I went to collage was to move to NYC and get a job at Vogue. For better or worse that did not play out though it is still a dream of mine. Instead I have focused here in Arizona on finding creatives to work with and building a local portrait business while working towards my dreams. I like to try and bring some whimsy or fantasy into my more creative work and some editorial edge to my portrait sessions. I also really like to play with more dark or creepy concepts and work in special effects with a couple other tricks to bring my vision to life. Though I’ve never been good at drawing or painting I found that photography allowed me the same creativity to show the fantastical things I come up with in my mind to the people around me.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would probably take them to my favorite books store, to eat great vegan food, hot yoga, and to run around and find great places to take pictures! My favorite bookstore is hands down Changing Hands I can spend way too much time there. My favorite vegan restaurants are Nami & Green New American Vegetarian, Tacos Veganos, and Goji Berry. Also if it’s a weekend where there is the Vegan Social food trucks I love going there and meeting people and trying great food! Also Drink Me Tea Room is a great place to check out with all vegan and gluten free food and the best themed teas it’s great if you plan ahead. My favorite place to practice yoga is Radi8 hot yoga not only are the teachers amazing and the studios have such great energy but the community built there makes it somewhere I visit daily. And finally I have the most fun just running around and finding cool and unique places to take photos and create art.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to shoutout my husband Jéan. Not only has he worked as hard as I have to make it possible for me to pursue my dreams and find joy in life but he is always there for me no matter how big or small of a way. He is always there to talk through ideas and give his advice as well as remind me how talented I can be when I have moments of doubt. There is no way any of this would be possible without him.
Website: https://keepitkatelin.wordpress.com/
Instagram: @keepitkatelin
Linkedin: Katelin Richardson // keepitkatelin
Facebook: Keep it Katelin
Other: TikTok: Keepitkatelin
Image Credits
Keep it Katelin Photography