Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathryn Page.
Kathryn, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
It all started when I was asked to photograph a college basketball game during a Marketing internship in my senior year of college by my boss at the time. I got paid $50 I think and thought, well that was fun, from then on I was determined to make being an artist a career. I moved to LA right after graduating, for a job at a new start up (at the time) called The Honest Company, founded by Jessica Alba, selling all natural baby Diapers. Figured I would start ‘real life’ by putting my marketing degree to use, just for a bit, it was so exciting. For a few years, I forgot about my dreams of being a photographer and grew with The Honest Company into a manager role. Then I got fired. I’m kind of knew it was coming so I took it as the official sign that it was time to refocus. With the support of my friends and family, I picked up my camera again and started asking anyone, and I mean anyone that would let me if I could do a shoot with them. Reaching out to modeling agencies to see if I could produce test shoots with their new models, and little by little got my work out into the world. I did A LOT of free shoots. In this time it was scary, I took a few jobs with company’s as photo editors but still was taking shots whenever I could.
It’s a bit of a story but by a twist of fate I ended up at NYFW shooting my first runway and backstage shows, even just happen to meet Bill Cummingham, legend street style photographer on the street that trip. Call it fate or luck, I ended up meeting a few other people who, after many follow up calls (yes back when you called people) I persuaded them to hire me again, and then again, which led to more jobs in fashion. Then after a few years and build a good portfolio, led to me getting my agent, which has now led me into commercial and editorial work with clients such as Walgreens, Teen Vogue, Instyle Magazines, working on projects with public figures like Kylie Jenner, Chrissy Teigen, Jay Ellis, LL Cool J, Maye Musk and more. As of right now, I am working on a few personal projects that highlight people that I’m drawn to their stories in hopes to shine the same light on them as I get to do for my celebrity clients. I am beyond grateful to all the people and clients who recognized something in me and gave me a shot to grow, and as my career grows I want to do the same for people who don’t naturally get light shown on them.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
HA, definitely not a smooth road. I will admit I feel I have gotten lucky A LOT, been in the right place at the right time. My biggest struggles have been with learning to believe in myself. Between getting caught up in 9-5 jobs and wrestling with the fear of the lack of stability, it’s been touch and goes over the years. I moved to LA when I was 21 and started this journey, I have been shooting, getting paid for my work 9 years now and just in the last three, if I’m being really honest, last two years have I truly felt I had it in me to be the artist I want to be full time without any side jobs or fall back plan.
There of course were the agents that told me my work has no vision and they wouldn’t know what to do with me or even one time I walked on set and was told, “wait, you’re not the photographer… you don’t look like a photographer” – to this day don’t know what that even means. Or there were times when I didn’t know how I would pay rent. I can laugh at it now, although at the time it was painful and would always take a hit at my self-esteem personally and professionally. Thankfully I have a good support system that keeps me positive. As a full time creative, some months are busy, some months are slow, some people get your work and some people don’t and you have to have a strong belief in yourself to be ok with that, especially while starting.
Please tell us about your work.
I am a photographer/Director. I specialize in working with celebrity and fashion brands. Commercial and editorially. I am most proud of my projects where I can make someone think or see something differently. I believe photography is a way of writing a love letter to humanity in a way and now and then there are these type of shoots where I can feel I am documenting truth or an undercurrent of a brand or person that maybe is just below the surface, that I know can be looked back on over time, these always give me such joy.
On that note I feel what sets me apart is just me, the way I am on set, the way I see people, interact with people, leads me to capture or see things in a different way than others. I can help people resonate with the brand or person I am capturing. There is a famous quote by Eve Arnold, it has always stuck with me, “It is the photographer, not the camera, that is the instrument.” Gear does not interest me, emotions do. I’m will never be a huge technical photographer, I am just a big emotional one.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
My plans for the future currently are continuing to push my creativity in new ways and work with new clients. But I think the biggest change to my business is my focus back on personal work moving forward. The last couple years have been about creating momentum and stability in my business and now that I am in a place where I am more sure of my path I am looking forward to spending more of my free time curating at least 1 charity gallery show a year for a group of people or cause that I feel I can help shine light on – if you know of any send my way! – Just looking for more balance in the future or better yet why not try making the big jobs also have an element of greater purpose would be where I would want my future to go.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.kathryn-page.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @katpage
- Twitter: @kathrynpage
Image Credit:
All my work. Kathryn Page.
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