friday feature: kate powers

Kate Powers has been a favorite of mine for years. She has such an amazing way of capturing beauty.

Raised in Southern California, Kate moved to northward to attend UC Berkeley to major in English. While at school, she took photography classes and photographed local bands for the school newspaper. For her undergraduate thesis, Kate and some others did a mock up of a women's magazine and ended up publishing it quarterly for about 4 years. Since Kate was the only one with an interest in photography, she ended up art directing the magazine. Through that experience, she was able to meet local photographers. In the meantime, Kate put together her own portfolio and has since been shooting for 8 years. Her clients range from The Gap to Macy*s to Aveeno (I bet you've recognized these images) and more.

You can see more of Kate's Portfolio here and here.

Here is our interview, for you:



01. Do you still live in San Francisco?
I still live in the bay area, though I hardly ever shot here. But I just can't bring myself to move anywhere else.



02. Any photographers/stylists/artists you admire?
From Tim Walker (my most favorite photographer): I love everything he does....his light, his inspiration, his casting, his taste....it's beautiful....
From Debra McClinton, who's photography is so full of love.....
From my grandmother (my most favorite painter) she's 86, has painted nudes most of her life and is still experimenting with materials and shape and form....it's really amazing to watch....



03. What/When was your big break?
I think i'm still waiting for it to happen...:) (from Nicole: uh.. yah right.)



04. What equipment do you shoot with?
Depends on the job. I used to only shoot with the Mamiya RZ 67 or the Pentax 67 but have now moved almost completely to digital.... usually with the H2 and a p30+ back



05. Describe your ideal shoot. (past or imaginative)
Beautiful girl, beautiful clothes, lovely location & a happy crew.



06. It is difficult to become a successful commercial and editorial photographer such as yourself. To what do you attribute your success?
It's the same in any field, if you really love it and you're excited to get up every day and do it..(or at least most days)......
I think success comes from a love of your art, or your trade...people know if what you're creating is genuine, and i think artistically there's a response to that..(even in lifestlye/commercial photography).
I think there are a lot of photographers who go after a particular style not because it comes out of them naturally, but because they think they can make money doing it....



07. Do you still have to work at promoting your recent work to potential clients?
Yes, always. It's a constant process.. updating portfolios, sending out promos. I don't think that process ever ends. It may evolve, but it's ongoing.



08. What are the challenges you face in your career?
I think the most surprising part is that creativity is constantly evolving. Everytime you think you've figured something out, it changes or you suddenly see it from a different perspective...
from lighting to style to aesthetic.



09. What is the most important thing you have learned as a photographer?
Do what you love...

Thank you SO much, Kate. Show your love, dear readers, by leaving a comment!