Daily Inspiration: Meet Katie Coffee

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

Hi Katie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
After going to school for music and realizing I didn’t know how to make that path “work for me” I was at a crossroads on needing to make a decision towards a career with longevity.

I started the photography business in 2015 in Louisiana documenting influencers, brands, and brides in the Greater New Orleans area. Photography proved to be as equally impactful in people’s lives as well as a creative outlet for myself, which is the right formula for a career filled with purpose. Photography has been the rock of my life through the good, the bad, and the ugly. Over 8 years later, I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Nothing good worth keeping is necessarily easily attainable. Business is not for the faint of heart, but I have a heart like a racehorse. The struggle with business seems to be internally more difficult because when you work for yourself- the only limit you’ll face is the limit of how you view your ability & your commitment towards ever improving.

I remember after going through a divorce in 2019, that year was very hard because at every wedding I shot – I felt like an absolute failure in my own life. I felt like a fake. Eventually, I sat with those emotions and once again returned to the present moment of inspiration that came with documenting people’s love stories. I never fully shared that with my clients, but that year was very hard. I was happy to heal past that, photography helped me through that time in my life. Photography forced me to take a long hard look at who I was, and who I didn’t want to be.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a photographer that is proficient in portrait work – which bleeds into weddings & commercial branding work.

Initially, I started documenting influencers in early 2015, although now I am in an upward progression into high-end weddings & portrait work.

If I had to say what I am most proud of, it would be this – I work on making deliverables uniquely appropriate pieces of art specific to the client. So, I wouldn’t consider my work to be trendy. Sometimes it can be, but I’d rather have my work go down as standing the test of time despite frequent social media photography trends.

I have zero interest in doing what’s a fad. Although, I do draw inspiration from other photographers’ approaches!

Collaborating with clients to create a work of art every time is what sets my experience apart from other photographers. It’s all about “The Shot” focusing on quality over quantity.

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I like being in Nashville because here, I’m challenged by an insane amount of remarkably talented creatives. I feel a need to revisit my abilities and rethink approaches I’ve grown comfortable with not only technically but in every facet.

What I like least about Nashville is that I’m struggling to find an authentic pot of gumbo that teleports my taste buds to the big easy.

Pricing:

• My wedding work begins at $3,500
• Portrait work begins at $650

Contact Info:

• Website: https://katiecoffeephoto.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/katiecoffeephoto?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@KatieCoffeePhoto

Image Credits
Jordan Hefler