Meet Kat De Laet

We were lucky to catch up with Kat De Laet recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kat, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

Honestly, I didn’t overcome it. Imposter syndrome is definitely something I still wrestle with. I don’t think it ever completely goes away, and it can definitely depend on the ups and downs of running a creative business. I’ve learned to recognize it as just part of growing rather than a reflection of my abilities.

But I’ve found a few things that help: I remind myself of positive feedback from clients, I talk to other creatives so I know I’m not alone, and I try to focus on the impact my work has. I’m still learning to navigate it like many others do. I just think it’s important to be honest about it. We all deal with it, and it doesn’t mean I’m not confident in what I do. It just means I’m human.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I actually started out by photographing my own cats. It was just for me at first, a way to capture their personalities and hold onto memories. During the pandemic, that small passion turned into something much bigger. Spending time behind the camera with animals gave me purpose and connection, and that’s what pushed me to turn it into a business.

Now I run Kat De Laet Portraits here in San Diego. I create high-end pet and family portraits with a storybook feel. What excites me most is not only showing the bond between pets and their people in a way that feels authentic and timeless, but also constantly improving how I serve my clients. I’m always streamlining my full-service photography business, finding new and creative ways to make things easier for my clients, and delivering a complete experience from start to finish so they never have to worry about a thing.

Giving back is also a big part of what I do. I volunteer with the Humane Society a couple of times a month, photographing their dogs in the shelter so they have beautiful, updated images for the website and displays. It is amazing how much that helps them get adopted faster.

Looking ahead, I am planning to team up with a few charities for special fundraising projects. They will be creative and fun ways to raise money for causes I care about and to give something back to the pet community that has given me so much.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

I’d say the three things that have shaped my journey the most are patience and empathy, learning the business side, and always working on my technical skills.

Patience and empathy kind of go together when you work with animals and their people. Sessions can be unpredictable. You have to slow down, read the room, and make everyone comfortable. That’s when you get the real moments.

The second one is the business side. Creative talent alone just isn’t enough to run a studio. Pricing, contracts, client experience, marketing. All of that ends up being a huge part of what you do as a photographer. I’d tell anyone starting out not to skim over it. Getting those basics right early will save you a lot of stress later and actually lets you keep doing the work you love.

And then there’s the technical side. I’m always working on my lighting, composition, and editing. Entering print competitions keeps my eye sharp and pushes me to keep raising the bar. The better my craft, the more freedom I have during sessions to focus on my clients instead of worrying about my gear or settings.

For someone starting out, my biggest tip would be to really dig into the business side from day one. Learn how to price your work, write clear contracts, and give your clients a great experience. It might not feel as fun as the creative stuff at first, but it’s what makes it possible to build a career around your art.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

I’m always open to collaborating. Giving back to the community is a big part of what I do, so if there are animal rescues that want to team up on a project to raise money and get their name out there, I’d love to hear from them.

I also love to partner with local businesses on artistic projects. I really believe no business stands alone. You’re stronger with a community around you, and collaborations like that can benefit everyone involved. Plus, I genuinely enjoy working with people, getting my creativity out, and building new relationships and friendships.

If someone’s reading this and wants to collaborate, the easiest way to reach me is through my website, katdelaetphoto.com, or by emailing me directly at [email protected]

Contact Info:

• Website: https://katdelaetphoto.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/katdelaetphotography
• Facebook: https://Facebook.com/katdelaetportraits
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kat-de-laet/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/kat-de-laet-portraits-san-diego

Image Credits

All image credit goes to Kat De Laet Portraits