Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Messer
Hi Katie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My journey started in high school where I had the wonderful opportunity to start with film photography. In the four years I learned so much about the art and how to develop film and photos in dark rooms. After high school I went to college for a bachelors in biology. All along I knew that I missed photography. It wasn’t until much later that I picked up a camera in the same way again. Man! What a day that was! It was like something was missing and I just found a piece of me again. In 2017 is when I really started to promote myself again. I was up in upstate NY while being stationed at Fort Drum. I had just welcomed our first born and wanted to document her growth as she grew. My husband, family and friends encouraged me to share my love and talent with the community. It all started slow and support grew from there. Now today, my husband has since retired from the US Army and we have found out new roots in the Columbia SC area. I am super excited to start this new journey and become more involved in the community here as I grow my little business in this area. I love being creative in my art and am constantly learning new ways to better myself. This is what I was made for I am sure of it. Connecting with you and your loved ones is what is just magic to me.
The in-between moments are my favorite part! Documenting the connection between people is what I live for.
My hope is to bring out those tiny moments, the ones no one sees, the ones that truly matter and tell a story all about you!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
This road hasn’t been the easiest. Being a military spouse, the up and leaving one community for another and always starting from scratch at every turn (around every 2-3 years) can be challenging and stressful. You really have to be dedicated and ready for any and all ups and downs. But with that said I love the connections made and still stay in touch with fellow photographers and many client turned to friends along the road. Every state has its own unique relationship with photographers that include regulations and rules that you have to really dive into researching to make sure everything is right for the business to succeed.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Salute Life Photography is a small business. I am a true to life photographer that loves to photograph connections amongst people. My favorites to photograph are other entrepreneurs for their headshots, seniors, couples and maternity. I am most proud of my ability to really get true emotions through laughter and make my clients feel more comfortable. I am not afraid to get others more comfortable with me as most times they don’t know me prior to their session. I love taking time to ensure people’s vision is met with inspiration boards. I love showing the back of my camera to my clients. Their faces light up when they get that transparency since they are able to see a result immediately of what to expect in their galleries. I also love to hear from people what they do and where they are from. When I get to know them as a person I can better serve them and make their session more tailored to them as well.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I am Katie Messer and I am the one you will see peek out from behind my lens to capture those sweet moments you will remember for a lifetime!
Thank you for trusting me to document some of the most important times in your life! I can’t wait to share in them with you and show off how incredible even the tiniest of moments are. The best part of being a photographer is being able to capture the special moments that tell your personal story! The time spent with each and everyone of you is what is so important to me. I absolutely love getting to know you all personally and this makes each and everyone one of my sessions so unique and I am able to tap into that storyteller side of me and create magic!
Pricing:
- Couples $250
- Family $300
- Maternity $300
- Seniors $200
- Headshots $150
Contact Info:
- Website: https://salutelifephotography48.mypixieset.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saluteyourlife?igsh=cWVteHkybnVtdXk5
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saluteyourmemory?mibextid=LQQJ4d
