Today we’d like to introduce you to Weslee Kate.
Hi Weslee, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
How did I get to today? Long story short pure luck. I got my start behind the scenes in Journalism, Creative Direction, and Editorial work. I ran into an issue with interviews where I wanted exclusive content to be paired with the articles. So I started doing mini shoots on disposable film and polaroid… In a twist of events to me people really liked the way the photos where coming out. I started getting asked to shoot not attached to an outlet and simply for the photos. Slowly but surely photography became my career over the course of 2020. I bought real film cameras, a digital camera, and during peek pandemic was even resorting to FaceTime shoots (what even is real life sometimes). By 2021 while still writing most of my time was spent behind the lens. Now over the course of 2022, I split my time between LA and Berlin working as a full-time music, brand, and fashion photographer. The whole process has really showed me that life has a funny way of showing you the path that will bring you the most joy.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It was both smooth and incredibly chaotic somehow at the same time… On one hand, I never intended for photography to be my career, it just kind of happened and for that I am lucky. On the other hand, I got my start during Covid so a lot of my early work was done in odd conditions and pretty high levels of stress. I had to get over a lot of imposter syndrome to really believe I deserved the work and trust I was receiving.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
These days my time is spend either shooting or writing (mostly music journalism or poetry). As far as photography goes, I specialize in music and brand/fashion photography. Lately, I have been shooting a ton of live shows now they are back in full swing, artist portraits for press, and branded fashion work. Of course, I have been leaving some time for creative editorial projects to keep me inspired and growing as an artist.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Take the risk – point blank. I have always found the things that scare me the most or feel the most high risk usually have the highest reward. Obviously, all risk within reason with a dash of logic mixed in since not all risk is a good risk. There is a quote one of my best friends always says “On the other side of fear is a feather bed” I have found this to be true. Usually, the risky and scary things that come into my life lead me into the direction I was dreaming of heading. I recently decided to split my time between Los Angles and Berlin… I knew it was risky, scary, and complicated. That being said it has turned out more perfectly than I could have planned. I firmly believe life rewards to courageous and that taking risks is part of life. At the end of the day, I never want to say fear got in my way. Cliches sometimes hold true and in my opinion high risk – high reward is one of them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wesleekate.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wesleekatecreative/?hl=en
Image Credits
Liza Adamenko, Ma Dei, Lauren Ruth Ward, Jenny, Julia Lucius
