Check Out Katie Langley’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Langley.

Katie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I moved to Colorado in 2007 to attend the Colorado Film School where I received an Associate’s degree in cinematography. I then transferred schools after a brief move back to my home state in South Dakota where I shifted my focus and got a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Art with a focus in photography. That’s when I started my portrait business focusing on engagements and weddings. After covid hit the wedding industry so hard, I decided to shift my portrait focus to mainly families since so many of my past wedding clients were now having babies. I’ve always continued shooting landscapes and experimental film photos in my free time to create fine art prints as well.

I also work with Denver startup Head Room Sessions to work with local musicians in the community. Each session gives Denver artists a filmed recording of a performance as well as a photoshoot including performance photos and portraits. I love working with different Denver artists because each shoot is extremely unique to the performer and I get to explore some of my favorite experimental shooting techniques.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Being a small business owner is definitely challenging because I love being an artist yet don’t necessarily love the extra work that goes into owning and operating my own business. I do everything on my own so I can’t always focus on the art aspect. The financial side of running a business has always been the hardest part for me. Accounting and taxes, calculating the cost of doing business, website building and marketing- the list of additional jobs goes on and on and can be daunting when you just want to create art.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Right now, I work primarily in the family portrait realm, and I like to focus on candid moments of love between my clients. I love combining my love of nature into my portraits since I live in such a beautiful state like Colorado.

When I work with models and musicians, I love to explore a more experimental side of my own photography, utilizing different in-camera techniques to add extra elements to the photos.

I like to think my experience in cinematography and experimental photography helps me add new and exciting elements to my images, whether it be for families or artists. I hope that my images always read “cinematic” in a way. I really love when my outdoor portraits double as stunning landscapes for my couples and families as well.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I don’t necessarily consider myself a risk taker more than any other artist. However, the very idea of being a full-time artist as a profession is a risk itself. You put yourself out there for artistic critique every day and are essentially “freelance” forever. I no longer work any part-time gigs so all my income is dependent on the work I put into running my business. They say “do what you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life” but that can easily ruin what you loved so dearly. It is a true balancing act and you must protect your happiness and mental health while combining your favorite hobby into a business.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://ktlangleyphotography.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/ktlangleyphotography 

Image Credits
All photos taken by me, musicians are Kayla Marque, The Milk Blossoms, Bunny Blake, and Donny Blot. Models are Amanda Jefferies and Scotty Strehlow wearing Rebellelion