About Me
Hi, I’m Katie! I’m here to capture all of life’s most important moments with my lens. I was raised in the midwest, and now call Charlotte, NC my home. I have always been the creative type, starting with drawing, painting, and dancing, and eventually ended up getting my very first camera in middle school. I have always loved taking pictures and having visual memories to look back on. Shortly after getting my first digital camera, I also started shooting film. Film is so beautiful and unique as it really challenges your creative eye with lighting and framing the perfect shot. I think learning the basics of film is what helped me make the pivot from “the girl with a camera” to a photographer.
Most recently, my photography has been inspired by my travels, and the impossible desire to immortalize each moment before it’s gone. Aside from photography, travel is my greatest passion, and thankfully they pair pretty well together :) I think that exploring different areas of the world and immersing yourself in different cultures is one of the most important things you can do to grow as a person.
My style is cinematic and romantic. I want your photos to feel authentic to YOU. I love including movement and activities in sessions to capture all of those perfectly imperfect in-between moments. I always aim to keep things light and fun, the best pictures come out of the sessions where we’re all just hanging out and having a good time. Whether it’s a romantic couple’s shoot, fun family portraits, or simply a moment of joy — I’m here for it all.
Why “Iris” Photography?
The name Iris Photography was inspired by my Grandmother. My Grandma is an artist, she paints beautiful landscapes and every time I visited her house throughout my childhood we would draw and paint. We bonded through art. She passed on her knowledge and supplies and always inspired me to create. When I was a teenager I went to spend a weekend with her and she told me about this painting of an iris that had always inspired her. She met the artist at an art fair and was in awe of her realistic paintings of these flowers. Capturing every detail even down to a dew drop on the petal. My Grandma had focused most of her life on painting landscapes with oil paints, following Bob Ross’ techniques. The iris painting inspired her to try something new, she wanted to be able to paint flowers just as beautifully.
My Grandma has always inspired me to be artistic and she has always believed in my art. She made me believe in myself enough to start sharing my photography and take a chance on starting my business. When naming my business I considered using my name as many other photographers do, but nothing felt more right than taking inspiration from the woman who first inspired me. The iris painting inspired her to try a new painting style, and she inspired me to have the courage to make my passion into a career.
