Inspired, A Very Special Project | Katrina Stewart Photography

Lets get to know you! How would you describe yourself in three sentences?

An eternal optimist who is passionate about living each and every day to its fullest! That pretty much sums it all up.

What sparked your passion for Photography?

Traveling through South East Asia and the birth of my son when l returned. Traveling provided the spark and my son provided the push! l started learning how to use my DSLR when he was 4 months old so just over 2 years ago.

One of Katrina’s very first images taken. She was so kind to share a starting out image with us all!

Whats in your camera bag?

Eek, l don’t have a camera bag (yet) but my equipment consists of a Canon 5dmark iii, 100mm F2.8 L lens, 35mm F1.4 L lens and lensbaby composer with edge 80 optic.

What Camera/Equipment did you start out with?

Canon 1000d and kit lens.

If you could only use one lens an entire session which one would you choose and why?
The 100mm L lens. It may be a bit slower to focus than my other lenses but it produces beautiful, creamy images and gorgeous bokeh.

What advice would go give to someone just beginning in photography and hoping to have a business of their own?
If you can, take your time and find out what makes your heart sing in photography. When l started my photography journey, l was certain l wanted to head into business and l wanted to specialise in children’s portraiture. Then l wanted to do newborn lifestyle, then l moved onto boudoir. It turns out l just needed to allow myself time to learn this craft, soak it all up and work out what made me giddy with excitement (and as it turns out, that wasn’t business!).

What was your first official Photographer crush if you had one?

Oh for sure, Lisa Lucky http://www.lisaluckyphoto.com/. She takes gorgeous portraits of children, especially her own children. I remember being utterly captivated by her vacation images of her boys.

What kind of photos do you like to take for just yourself when not working with clients?
l don’t work with clients so all my work is personal. My biggest muse is light. l am constantly studying: how it changes throughout the day and through the seasons, how it is affected by different weather conditions, how l can control and diffuse it, how it changes from indoors to outdoors. So sometimes l might photograph light on its own or photograph pretty light falling on a still life object. Being a mamma, l obviously love to take pictures of my little one as well though he isn’t always too compliant about standing in the best light!

If you could photograph absolutely anyone who would it be dead or alive?
My dad who passed away when l was 16. l don’t have nearly enough pictures of him, especially pictures that truly capture his personality.

Describe your style in 3 words.

Soft, romantic and organic.

Most embarrassing moment on a session would be?

l don’t really do any sessions so don’t have an embarrassing moment per se but l generally find pulling my big girl camera out in public quite embarrassing. Something l am working on….

Any challenges you have had to overcome to be where you are today?

My confidence. I’m my own worst critic and find it hard to believe that l could produce work that somebody would want to see.

Favorite time of day to shoot is?

Late evening into the golden hour.

If you had to stop taking photos right now, what would you do instead?
I really don’t know. Photography is my ‘me time’. l honestly don’t know what l did before l picked up my camera but l could not be without it now.

Have you attended college or had any formal education in Photography?

Biggest Photography related insecurity?

That l am just not creative enough to be a photographer.

Digital or Prints?

l love the ease of digital. It has meant that l have been able to practice without worrying about the cost. BUT, there is nothing quite like seeing that printed favourite image up on your wall!

How do you set yourself apart from other local photographers?

l haven’t made any connections with any local photographers and I’m not in business so this hasn’t been a concern for me.

What do you think your next photography related investment will be?

It’s got to be photoshop! l do all my editing in Lightroom and for the most part it completely meets my editing needs. But there are times that l really wish l had the power of photoshop so it’s definitely time to purchase that and learn how to use it.

If you had to recommend ONE thing that a photographer needs in their camera bag what would that be?
Probably a lens pen. Simple and cheap and a lifesaver on many a times when l have accidentally thumb smudged the front of my lens.

What would you say your biggest muse is?

Oh see above. Definitely LIGHT!

Fun stuff:
Favorite Color: I’m going to cheat and give a colour combo which is currently purple and mustard.

Favorite Season: Summer.
Biggest guilty pleasure: Um l have developed a bit of a love for country

music since getting into the TV show Nashville.

Pet Peeve: People who don’t use indicators at roundabouts/ junctions! Is it really that much of an effort?

Favorite Pandora Station: I don’t have Pandora. l love most types of music.

Studio or On location:On location, every time! But this is a big reason for why l don’t take sessions in Scotland – we have no predictability with weather, other than you can invariably count on it being a bit dull!

What did you want to be when you grew up? A marine biologist! I loved the water and animals!

One thing no one knows about you is: l have a giant scar across the breadth of my stomach from an emergency operation when l was a newborn. They didn’t quite have the laser technology back in those days so it’s quite an unsightly thing!

Pc or Mac: MAC

Lightroom Or Photoshop:Lightroom

Film or Digital: Digital

Props or No Props: no props.

If you could travel anywhere it would be: Nepal. l have already been there 4 times but just love the country and the people that l have met there.

Glass Half Empty or Half Full: Half full. Life’s what you make it.

Favorite photo ever taken:This one of a friend holding flowers. l love the colours and tones throughout and it just reminds me of long summer evenings.

Raw or Jpeg: RAW
Favorite Music to Edit to: Anything upbeat. Favorite Quote: This is a long one by Ira Glass:

“ Nobody tells this to people who are beginners, I wish someone told me. All of us who do creative work, we get into it because we have good taste. But there is this gap. For the first couple years you make stuff, it’s just not that good. It’s trying to be good, it has potential, but it’s not. But your taste, the thing that got you into the game, is still killer. And your taste is why your work disappoints you. A lot of people never get past this phase, they quit. Most people I know who do interesting, creative work went through years of this. We know our work doesn’t have this special thing that we want it to have. We all go through this. And if you are just starting out or you are still in this phase, you gotta know its normal and the most important thing you can do is do a lot of work. Put yourself on a deadline so that every week you will finish one story. It is only by going through a volume of work that you will close that gap, and your work will be as good as your ambitions. And I took longer to figure out how to do this than anyone I’ve ever met. It’s gonna take awhile. It’s normal to take awhile. You’ve just gotta fight your way through.”

Most valued material possession:

My rings: My engagement, wedding and eternity ring, which l got after my first son was born. l have happy memories of getting each and they just symbolize the happiest times in my life.

Processing Style: Usually quite simple, sometimes with a bit of a matte finish.

Coffee or Tea: Tea all the way. I’m British!

If you could photograph a Celebrity who would it be? l don’t really have the urge to photograph anyone famous but for this week, l will have to say Andy Murray, a local Scottish boy done well! l love his passion, commitment and hard work and am happy to see that rewarded. I’d love to capture him at what must be a very happy time for him in his life.

What kind of Camera bag do you rock?

I don’t have one, yet. Currently carrying out some research and waiting for that money tree to bloom.