Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Tlougan.
Katie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I have been interested in photography for as long as I can remember. I particularly loved documenting life. I bought my first “big” camera in 2009 with the guidance of a co-worker. He loved Nikon so that’s what I bought. I found I loved taking photos of events and particularly loved focusing on the details or unscripted moments of connection. I would mainly photograph birthdays for my nieces and nephews, holidays, and would take a handful of images at friend’s weddings, too! When I had my first baby in 2017, I would use my “good camera” (I referred to it that way instead of using my phone) to take shots of my baby. I continued as I had 3 more children, documenting their monthly growth in the first year, birthdays, newborn scrunches and tiny toes, and everyday moments of play.
In 2022, I decided to get serious about photography. I took an online course to really understand natural light and the impact it has on images. This new information was transformative in my art and led me to taking more courses. I upgraded my equipment to the new mirrorless technology, opened my LLC, and started putting into place all the extra pieces that are behind the scenes of a small business.
Today, I am first and foremost a wife and mother to my 4 young children. I stay at home and balance all the demands of our household with my photography work as well as my part time job as a wedding coordinator for a church.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Nothing in life is completely smooth, especially once there are other people you need to consider. Simply by being a mother, I sometimes struggle to find the time and space I need to focus on my business, but together with my husband, we do our best to help me find a way to keep working with clients and getting galleries delivered. Right now I am trusting God to lead the right clients to me. I am trying to have a docile and receptive spirit to let the Lord lead the right clients and projects to keep me busy and moving forward.
I think that it can also be difficult to not get caught up in imposter syndrome. With social media, there is no end to the sea of images to compare our own work to. I didn’t expect the vulnerability in sharing a completed gallery with a client. My work is my art, my expression of how I saw our time together, what I felt was beautiful and part of the story worth telling. Although there are many types of editing I am drawn to, I focus on keeping my work as true to color and true to life as possible. I intentionally resist using Photoshop because I want to embrace life instead of fabricate a moment or an image that didn’t actually exist. But all of that can feel very vulnerable when it feels like what the culture wants is perfection and masks. I am learning to not need outside validation of my work (although I LOVE it when I get it!) but to know I did my best and delivered a gallery full of images I’m proud of.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I am the owner and photographer for my business. I specialize in natural light photography. I photograph a variety of sessions including newborn lifestyle, families, and Catholic weddings, all on a part time basis while I am full time mama and wife. For weddings, my husband is my second shooter/assistant and I love sharing the day with him as we work together to serve our clients.
I am passionate about authenticity. I want my images to feel real, not forced or stylized beyond what is normal for that person. I think we are bombarded with messages that tell us what an ideal life should look like, and it becomes so easy to loose sight of the God-given blessings and gifts right in front of us. Whether it’s our body, our homes, our children, or grandeur of an event, it can be so easy to feel “lesser than” in a world of comparison. I want to crush that and come alongside families to embrace you and your life with all its character and imperfections. My life isn’t squeaky and perfect, no one’s is. I crave simplicity and connection. Life is perfectly imperfect and I want to celebrate that.
I think my favorite things to photograph are those that are unscripted, maybe even those taken when no one knew I was shooting. I love to capture moments that are real, when no one is performing for the camera. I think I will always love newborns most of all. It’s such a sacred moment in a family’s life. Nothing compares to those first weeks with a new life. As a mom myself, I know the tension of holding the love and longing for this new soul and at the same time dealing with the postpartum realities of life with a newborn. It’s messy but so incredibly beautiful and I feel so honored when I can come in and simply document this precious moment for a family.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I grew up as the 3rd generation in a family business of managing auctions in southern Minnesota. I was born into it and did every role except auctioneer by the time I was in high school. It was where I learned about hard work and customer service. Perhaps even more, it also gave me a love for history and valuing items that tell us stories. Items often remind us of another time, a loved one, or a season of joy or grief. Perhaps photography is similar. Images are keepsakes because they help us to remember, and when they capture authentic emotion, help us to even re-live feelings.
I was also an amateur swing dancer in my 20’s. I was in a performance group and even did all the tricks and aerials. At one time, I knew 21 routines for the group to put on shows throughout the Twin Cities. I was even able to perform in a few competitions before I officially retired. I have been performing with music, dance, or theater since I was in elementary school and although I am not able to do much in this season of life, my photography is another way to express beauty through the arts.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.katietlougan.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katie_tlougan/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katietlougan
