We are very excited to feature the work of Kat Sloma today on our Behind the Lens series. Kat is a fine art photographer, writer
and teacher who believes we all have a unique vision of the world to share
through our art. Through her blog and eCourses, Kat provides
resources to help you find your creative vision, connect to your heart and
soul, and find joy in your life through photography.
Thank you Kat for sharing your story and beautiful images with us today and for providing one lucky Moms Who Click reader a spot in your upcoming January/February Find Your Eye e-course series....see the details on how to enter below.
Your Name: Kat Sloma
Your studio/business name: Kat Eye Studio, LLC
Location: Online (physically in Corvallis, Oregon)
Website: http://kateyestudio.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kateyeview
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/kateyeview
Instagram: http://instagram.com/kateyeview
Your Style:
In 50 words or less, how
would your clients describe your photography? I’ve heard the word
“contemplative” used to describe my photography. There are elements of
nostalgia and storytelling in my images, inviting the viewer to fill in the
blanks. I try to create images that make me feel something, and in doing so,
others pause to experience my images too.
Are you self-taught or
classroom trained? I am mostly self-taught.
I’ve taken a couple of basic photography courses, one from a community college 12
years ago and one online 5 years ago, and have read a lot of books. From there
it’s just been experimentation and practice, practice, practice.
How many years have you been
a professional photographer? I would consider myself a
“professional” for about a year and a half, since starting Kat Eye Studio.
Where do you want to take
your photography business in 5 years? I would like to have a
healthy and thriving online business that feeds my soul and helps me connect
with others. I plan to continue creating and teaching classes that help
individuals connect to their heart and soul through photography. I hope to be
teaching more at retreats and on-location workshops, around the country and
world.
Is there a photographer who
inspires your style? Who would that be? David
duChemin has been a favorite photographer of mine for a long time. I
am attracted to his philosophies about photography along with his photographic style.
Favorite location to take
photos? Anywhere out and about. I
love the interaction of man-made and natural things that occurs in the urban
environment. I am not an “at-home” photographer in the least. Get me out
walking and I can’t help photographing. It takes me forever to get anywhere,
because I want to stop and photograph along the way.
Favorite vacation spot? Anywhere in Europe. When I
was living in Italy, I got addicted to the history, culture and texture that
was immediately available anywhere in Europe. I miss that now that I’m back
living in the US.
Your Business:
Your Business:
What was the pivotal moment
when you decided to become a photographer? It was the summer of 2010,
when I discovered myself an artist, with photography as my medium. I had been
studying and playing with photography for about 10 years at that point, but it
was while living in Italy that I was finally pushed over the edge, seeing
photography as a serious artistic pursuit. We had been traveling extensively
around Europe, and through a regular practice of photography and writing on my
blog, I suddenly discovered I had a unique vision and a style. I felt a confidence
in what I was creating that had never felt before. I just wanted to keep
creating, and I wanted to share that feeling with others. Out of my discovery,
the idea for a business in photography and my first Find Your Eye eCourse was born.
What’s the best marketing
tip that has worked for you? Start an email newsletter!
You need a way to keep in touch with people on a regular basis and develop a
relationship with them. Most people don’t have time to come and read my blog
every day. Through a regular email newsletter, my subscribers get to know me
and stay connected with me. I can provide them with relevant information about
photography and make them aware of upcoming classes in an unobtrusive way. If
they no longer want the information, they just unsubscribe. It’s win-win for
everyone.
What’s the most surprising
thing a customer has asked you? I had one student ask if she
could get a refund on my class because she didn’t think of photography as
art. The class description started with
“Photography is art…” so I’m not quite sure how she ended up registering for my
class. I happily refunded her money, since we were not going to be a good fit!
Favorite print lab? My own studio! In the last year
I purchased a printer and love creating my own fine art prints at home. There
is something amazing about the process of creating an image from start to
finish.
Your Gear:
Your Gear:
Are you Canon or Nikon (or
–other): I’m a long-standing Canon
user, way back to my first film SLR purchased in 2000. Although for the last
couple of months most of my work has been created with an iPhone 5!
If you could only have one
lens on a photo shoot, what would it be? Tough question! I would ask
if it’s indoors or outdoors, day or night. If I have to cover all lighting
situations, I would choose my 35mm f/1.4. It’s a fantastic all-around lens for
using available light across a wide variety of subjects. Second choice for the
“one lens” question would be my 24-70mm f/2.8.
What brand bag do you carry
your camera in? I just recently purchased a
LowePro Passport Sling and I’m breaking it in. Before that I used a Crumpler
Messenger Boy. I like to carry my bag across my body, and need something that
will be comfortable to carry all day.
What gear would we find in
your camera bag? In my bag, you will find my
camera body, Rebel T1i (EOS 500D) camera body with 24-105mm f/4 lens attached
most of the time. Also in the bag is a spare lens (typically my 35mm f/1.4),
wireless remote, spare battery, spare memory card, microfiber cleaning cloth
and all the personal essentials that would normally be in a small purse or
wallet. Keeping the weight of my camera
bag down is a high priority for me, since I may be carrying it all day, every
day for a week or two at a time when traveling.
Are you a natural light fan
or strobe fan? Definitely natural light.
Are you PC or Mac? PC. Or lately… my iPhone or
iPad!
Your Tips
and Tricks:
What post processing tools
do you use? For my SLR photography, I’m
using Lightroom 4 on the PC almost all of the time. I also pop over into
Photoshop Elements once in a while if there is something I can’t do in Lightroom.
On my iPhone or iPad, my
favorite processing apps are Snapseed and Iris Photo Studio. Once you get into
the mobile photography world though, it’s hard to choose. It’s easy to use 4 or
5 apps on one photo!
Do you shoot in Raw or Jpeg? Raw on my SLR. Jpeg on my iPhone.
Best advice you would give
your 20-year old self? Don’t take life so
seriously! Take some time to figure out who you are and what you want to do.
You don’t have to hurry along to adulthood or follow anyone else’s ideas of
success.
Best advice you would give a
new photographer? Learn the basics, and then follow
what interests you. Don’t worry about trying to “do it all.” None of the great
photographers tried to be good at everything, they specialized. Pay attention
to what makes you happy, and follow that path.
What site do you use for
your photography and why? My website is a self-hosted
Wordpress site created from a theme. I like the ease of use and flexibility of
Wordpress. I can support the site myself and extend the functionality through
the ready availability of plug-ins. I’m
working toward an integrated shop and would like to have a forum on my site in
the future, all of which I can do myself. Other photography-specific platforms
did not have the extensibility I needed with my online business.
What Else
Should We Know?
What was your worst
photography experience? I tried really hard to come
up with something for this, but nothing was there! I’m not sure I have a
“worst” photography experience yet.
What would surprise people
most about you, whether it is photography related or not? I’m an electrical engineer
by training and have a “day job” as an engineering project manager for a large
corporation, where I lead technical project and problem solving teams. This job
is what took me to Italy for two years, on special assignment. Now that I’m
back in the US, I work part time (thirty hours per week) and find the technical
challenges a good balance for my creative expression through photography.
People ask me how I do so much
with photography and my online business while having a family and a day job,
and my answer is that it’s my passion. When I have a passion for something, I seem
to magically find the time for them. I have a very supportive family, too!
And just
because we want to know you better, fill in the blanks...
Three things I can’t live
without…. Hot Cinnamon Spice tea, cherry ChapStick, and my iPhone camera.
I wish I had more….. newsletter
subscribers. (hint, hint!)
The best thing about being a
photographer is… I see the beauty in the everyday. I notice amazing things all
around me. Even a walk through a parking lot is full of interesting things to see
and photograph. What a gift!
The most important lesson I
ever learned was…. You can’t make everyone happy. You need to be strong and
clear in your purpose, whether it’s your vision for photography or how you live
your life, because someone is going to criticize you along the way. You can’t
let criticism from one or two people derail you from following your heart.
My favorite time of day is… early
morning. I’m a total morning person, that’s my creative time!
*****************************************************************************
Thank You Kat! And now for the giveaway....... Kat is generously giving away one spot in her upcoming January/February Find Your Eye e-course series.
"The FIND YOUR EYE e-course series is designed to help you explore, recognize and become confident in your personal style. Instead of teaching you the technical basics of your camera or post-processing, this course series enhances the personal expression and creative connection to your art. Along your journey, you'll have a nurturing environment and a community of classmates from all over the world to help you learn, share and grow your creative expression. "
To enter the giveaway, just leave a comment below letting us know what you enjoy photographing the most. Extra entries for liking the Kat Eye Studio FB page, following Kat on Twitter and signing up for her newsletter (be sure to leave separate comment for each activity letting us know that you did).
Deadline to enter is midnight 12/23/12. Winner will be announced Monday, December 24, 2012.
Deadline to enter is midnight 12/23/12. Winner will be announced Monday, December 24, 2012.
As you likely already know, would love to win a FYE workshop. Put me in the mix. Many thanks.
ReplyDeleteLoved reading this question and answer. Hope this brings lots more fans to you.
Interesting interview! Thanks! I enjoy photographing birds the most, all kinds of birds! I would be honoured to win a spot in Kat's e-course!
ReplyDeleteReading interviews is my favorite thing on blogs!! Thanks for sharing Kat with us. Please toss my name in the hat. I would LOVE to be able to take a course with her. I am shocked she is an electrical engineer!! Most artists are not on the technical side too. Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteLaurie @ Pride in Photos
Just started to follow Kat on Twitter. I have been receiving her newsletter for a while. My photo subjects are eclectic.Lately I have been fascinated by clouds. Would love to take one of her classes.
ReplyDeleteJust liked Kat's facebook page too.
ReplyDeleteNice seeing Kat here. I really enjoy photowalks in the city or in the mountains. Quite a contrast.
ReplyDeleteAlready follow Kat on FB
ReplyDeleteAlready subscribe to Kat's newsletter
ReplyDeleteI subscribe to Kat's newsletter and took part in her Liberate Your Art project last summer. I would love to take a class from her. My favorite way to photograph is with a macro lens, but I'm open to try anything.
ReplyDeleteHI There! Can you please email us your email address just in case your entry is picked. Thanks!
DeleteMy favorite thing to photograph...is anything I get to use my macro lens for! Love it. Kat, it's nice to hear you have a day job, because I'm an engineer as well but would like to focus far more on photography.
ReplyDeleteI follow Kat on Facebook!
ReplyDeleteI get Kat's newsletter!
ReplyDeleteAaaand now following Kat on Twitter! Man am I bad at Capcha.
ReplyDeleteI have been reading Kat's newsletter for awhile- love her artistic approach and would LOVE to take one or more of her classes. I also have read David duChemin's books- love him too! What do I like to photograph? Anything with wonderful light! Details and contrasts in nature and in my surroundings! And, more recently, portraits of my friends!
ReplyDeleteI am now following Kat on Facebook!
ReplyDeleteI'm now following Kat on Twitter (I'm melindaroo). I also seem to be Melinda and firstgradeabc on the comments above. I have a wordpress identity and a blogger identity. I chose Wordpress for both coments- but it seems to have posted differently. Not sure how this one will post! But anyway- I'm folowing Kat everywhere and really hope to win! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great interview. I love Kat's work, and subscribe to her newsletter. It's well worth it for those of you out there who haven't subscribed yet.
ReplyDeleteJust liked Kat's page. Her work is wonderful. hope to win, would love to take her course
ReplyDeleteWhat I enjoy photographing the most: light bouncing off of liquids (and ice), and photos that include empty space. Also yellow flowers, doors.. oh, I could go on! I would be very grateful to win this workshop.
ReplyDeleteFollowing on facebook now!
ReplyDeleteFollowing on Twitter now!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to the newsletter - just signed up!
ReplyDeleteI have really found my calling in photography through a weekly feature that I participate in called Walk and Click Wednesdays. I go out and explore with my camera someplace new or someplace familiar and then post those pictures on my blog. I love the exploring aspect so much!
ReplyDeleteI found my love of photography while photographing my children. I enjoy capturing slice of life photos for my family and my clients. But my true calling is nature photography. As a landscape designer I spend a lot of time studying, listening, creating with nature so photographing nature just came naturally!
ReplyDeleteI love photographing babies!
ReplyDeleteI liked Kat Eye Studio on Facebook!
ReplyDeleteI am following on twitter! This is me...https://twitter.com/LouLaBelle_byH
ReplyDeleteI signed up for the newsletter!
ReplyDeleteI love photographing kids!
ReplyDeleteI followed her fb page!
ReplyDeleteI followed Kat's twitter (@bluefroggie)
ReplyDeleteI signed up for the newsletter.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI "liked" Kat's FB page.
ReplyDeleteI like photographing the every day things. I'm trying to capture more of the simple every day moments in our lives.
ReplyDelete