Mother nature
his little lady.
Tanya is as beautiful inside as she is out. We have known each other for a long time and it was a blast to reconnect and create together.
Tanya Jean (TJ) is an incredible fashion/lifestyle blogger, you may know her better as HIS LITTLE LADY. Her blog is a clear reflection of her style, creativity and wit. The images she creates and collect help to emphasize her natural gift for writing. She is honest, entertaining, intelligent and has an eye for all things interesting.
I knew she would be a dream to work with because her soul is adventurous and steady. I wanted to create a look that would step out of the norm but still compliment her natural beauty. This outfit practically found me at a thrift store immediately after our first meeting. With some minor alterations it was the perfect color compliment for the lush green forests of the Pacific North West.
Here is a little bit about the styling/collaborative process from Tanya's perspective:
"When Kate contacted me a few months back to do a collaboration I knew I couldn't pass it up! We spend a few solid weeks planning everything out. Color schemes, the overall aesthetic, wardrobe, the works. I'm going to take a few seconds to brag about my girl because she seriously does wonders! We met up for sushi and after initial catch up we got right down to business. I loved that Kate had taken so much time beforehand to really think about Me, and what I would like and what best dressed my personality. She had lots of creative ideas and was so enthusiastic about everything. How could I not get excited? She answered any questions I had and really went above and beyond finding perfect locations and outfits. " — Tanya Jean
We had so much fun planning and creating together that we ended up doing two totally unique shoots instead of one, as we had originally planned.
This is PART I: INTO THE WOODS
Motherhood.
There is a job that is more important, more influential than any other. That divine role is Motherhood. One of the women who has most inspired me is Kelsy. Photographing Kels and her sweet baby Macey, I felt like I was documenting Mother Eve. And witnessing the most cherishes relationship. Can you even believe how beautiful their dynamic is? Their love shines,
Nikki+Teck
This couple was a dream. After sharing with me how "awkward they were in front of the camera" they proceeded to make my job effortless.
Before we start shooting couples usually express to me how uncomfortable they feel being photographed. And even when it is not said verbally it is obvious when the guy would rather poke his eyes out than be followed around by this weird blonde lady with the camera. This is normal. Most of us non-celebrity-average-humans like our privacy and aren't ready for our close up. It is strange to feel like you are being watched and expected to preform. I get it. I get it because I feel the same way when someone tries to photograph me.
My solution, put simply, is to do whatever it takes for you to forget I am there.
For some couples that means asking you to share with one another a funny memory. Others I ask what you noticed the first time you saw them. Sometimes I climb trees, lay on the ground, make dumb jokes, or bust a move. I take away the stiffness. We want to make timeless pictures, that doesn't mean we have to be so formal while we take them!
I am committed to capturing you. You as you really are. The version of you that they fell in love with. Your dynamic. Your closeness. What makes you unique. It's much easier than it seems. The emotion is there, together we play, dance, laugh and sometimes cry to help draw it out.
And after it's all said and done.. The couple who felt "awkward" stopped focusing on me and together we made this...
Aren't they just lovely? And she designed that dress herself. Doesn't get much better.
HMU: Kali Chris
thrifty glamour
I called this thrifty glamour because all of the styling came from a thrift store Savers. There are few things I love more than taking something old and making it feel new again. My mother was not a fan of the 80s vibe we created for this shoot, even though I know she looked bomb in a dress just like the green one above.
This was the first shoot I ever did with Kali Chris HMU, Justin Miller, with Rachel and Zach Modeling. It was love at first collaboration.
I will never tire of working with this team. and I will never tire of a good white fur coat.
fishing for mermaids
#btswDoug
BEHIND THE SCENES WITH DOUG: an introduction
image courtesy of Green Apple Photography
Hi my name is Doug. I am 2.5 in human years. I am 3/4 golden retriever & 1/4 black lab. I came from a farm and Kate says I think I'm a cat but I am clearly her child.
Kate is my Human. She likes to dress up other humans in weird outfits and follow them around with her black clicking box. I don't understand the purpose of this activity but I don't complain. I like it when we go to new places. I love new smells.
Kate is always introducing me to new friends. I am happy when we play.
Sometimes I get in trouble for being in the way. Other times Kate gives me praise and makes the high pitch squeal sound. I don't know what I do different.
I just want to join in on the fun. I know that everyone just wants me to be next to them.
I love all the new places Kate and I explore. Sometimes we will go to a new place and it will only be the two of us. Then on a later day we will return and bring our new friends. It is fun to share our adventures.
After a long day of playing I love to cuddle up with my new friends. Kate gets very tired when she is holding the black box and making all the clicks. I like it when we get tired from being so happy.
Someday Kate and I will visit all the places and meet all the people. Then I will be the most tired and happy of all.
desert + sequins part 2
desert + sequins part 1
If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand.
This was one of my favorite shoots to date. I mean it felt like the stars aligned and we made magic on the dunes. It was my first time at this location and we hit the light just right. I kept taking pictures long after dark because I never wanted the night to end. I mean these models, I can hardly take credit, they did all the hard work! And of course good old Doug had to join in on the fun, and I ended up loving it so much! I hope you enjoy.
Styling Team: Myself, Laken Lunt, and Justin Miller
Wardrobe: Dresses thrifted and upcycled
Hair and Make up: Kali Chris
Models: Rachel and Jacee
the beginning.
I like beginnings. I especially like new ones. I have been working on this new brand for a long time and anxious to finally launch it. Anxious-nervous and Anxious-excited. It feels like I am taking a little bit of my heart out and displaying it for the world to judge. But that's the purpose of why we are here. We are suppose to feel uncomfortable. I don't mean to sound negative but rather that we have to be pushed outside of our comfort zones to learn, grow, and see all that we are capable of.
I am grateful for my support team. Especially for my two most loyal companions:
Doug the Dog has been my clingy sidekick through hours of edits and vision boarding. He is unconditionally loving and a constant reminder to me about why we need animals.
Drew is my Best. I never knew that a single person could impact me to the very core of my being. I never knew my heart could love this fully. I really do feel like the grinch when his heart grew three sizes that day. Drew is the other half to my whole. The Yin to my Yang. He is the reason I know that I was created to create. He is the one who shows me all that I can be.
So thank you my love. I am endlessly humbled that God gave me you.
i love you and i like you.
xo kate.
christmas 2011