Today we’d like to introduce you to Kate Hauschka.
Hi Kate, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Growing up, I was always a lover of the light. I had my first camera at age eight and have albums and albums of photographs from over the years of all the random things that inspired me. Photography was always something I admired but it wasn’t until after completing studies in Biology, Medicine, Music & Food that I decided to take on photography as a career. I started Kate Haus Photography in 2009 after a year of schooling at Boston University’s CDIA in Washington, DC.
In 2014 I moved my business to Los Angeles, transitioning from specializing in Wedding, Family and Event photography to Commercial, Lifestyle, Portrait, Editorial and Action photography and haven’t looked back.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There have definitely been struggles along the way, and what would life be without them? I think it’s been about taking them, working through them and eventually making peace with where they’ve brought you. Moving my business from the east coast where I’d built a steady client base to the west coast where I had to start all over from scratch was one of the larger overall struggles. But it was a move that ended with a nice shift in focus of the subject and was incredibly important for my mental and emotional health. This move also put the pandemic into perspective and made the shutdown of the world slightly more bearable from a business and personal standpoint if you can believe it.
Like anyone, I’ve had my fair share of personal, relationship and emotional ups and downs that I’ve had to push through while working and keeping my business afloat. As we all know, trying to hold your life and a growing business together when you’ve got a broken heart or are grieving is not easy. Through all the ups and downs though I’ve often been able to lean into photography as a stronghold and grounding support for the ever-changing life outside of work.
The most recent hurdle though, was last year when I broke my ankle surfing. It took me away from being able to shoot for about a month. This was my first major injury since college and through it, I realized what a beautiful community of friends and neighbors I’ve built as well as how vital my work and my active lifestyle are to my happiness by providing me with purpose and creativity.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I have been a lifestyle, portrait and commercial Photographer for over 14 years, I’ve made my living as a photographer, rooted in Los Angeles, and have shot around the world. I am inspired by capturing the beautiful light that surrounds us and the beautiful light that is within all of my subjects. I’m most proud of my ability to bring out and capture a person’s spirit in a matter of moments. I am set apart from others by my laid-back, easy, calm and fun approach to working with my clients as well as my 6’4″ stature that allows for a generally wonderful angle.
I have worked with a plethora of brands such as Dahu Ski, Capranea, Knix, Yniq, Peroni, Rumhaven, M. Gemi, and Microkickboards. I have photographed high-profile clients such as President Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, Kate Hudson, America Fererra, Dian Von Furstenburg, Chris Sullivan, AJ Buckley, Lucy Hale, and Julie Benz among others. And I have had work featured in Forbes, People Magazine, and Entertainment Tonight.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
For my mental and spiritual health: I love the Calm app for meditating….which I try to do every day. I also love listening to and reading the teachings of Ram Dass and Abraham Hicks. In the last year, I became a certified in Sound healer and Reiki Master teacher and am learning how to Surf. All these things have really helped ground me and keep me going every day.
For my work: I love to do at least one workshop or conference a year to improve and grow my skill set, expand my business and explore new ways of shooting. The most recent one I participated in was one of Chris Burkard’s and I highly recommend his workshops!
I also recommend trying to take on at least one test shoot a month and one new piece of equipment a year to keep the creative and learning spark alive. This last year I acquired a drone and some underwater camera casing and am learning those two new worlds. I highly recommend.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.katehaus.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/khauschka/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KateHausPhotography
Image Credits
All Credits go to KateHausPhotography
