We were lucky to catch up with Kat Mccoy recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Kat with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
I owe my work ethic to my parents, who were both entrepreneurs in very different fields—medicine and music. Growing up, I witnessed firsthand what it took to succeed in these vastly different worlds. My mother, who sadly passed when I was just 8, owned and operated multiple retirement homes. She instilled in me the value of excellence, often reminding me, “If it’s worth doing, do it all the way.”
On the other hand, my father was a musician striving to make a name for himself. He was constantly promoting, networking, and pushing boundaries. His mantra, “Tryers try, and doers do,” taught me the importance of action and perseverance.
With their guidance, I came to understand that success, especially as an artist, demands dedication, resilience, and a willingness to go above and beyond. They showed me that hard work isn’t just a path to success—it’s a reflection of character.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
With dual degrees in photography and studio arts, I specialize in capturing bold, vibrant, and striking images across fashion, portraiture, branding, and boudoir photography. My passion lies in creating photos that feel both ethereal and boldly eye-catching—beautiful visuals that tell a story and make an impact.
Currently, I’m thrilled to be focusing on my travels with Fashion Week, having the incredible opportunity to work at NYFW, Paris, and Milan in the upcoming 2025 seasons with Jesse Koenig Hair Team and production company, The Lab. Fashion photography is an ever-evolving art form, and I aim to bring a fresh perspective to how runways and fashion houses showcase their work through my lens.
Beyond that, I’m excited about the collaborations and creative concepts I’m developing for upcoming projects. I’m looking to expand my portfolio and work with bands, influencers, entrepreneurs, models, and fashion houses to create stunning, one-of-a-kind imagery. At its core, my brand is all about celebrating beauty, passion, individuality, and the artistry of storytelling through photography.
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?
Looking back, three key qualities and skills have been pivotal in shaping my journey as a photographer:
1. Mastery of Camera and Lighting:
One of the most impactful skills has been understanding my camera and lighting inside and out. I’m often complimented on my ability to adapt and capture great shots in any environment, and that comes from a combination of formal training and a lot of trial and error. Lighting is everything in photography, and knowing how to adjust your settings on the fly to create the perfect balance can make or break a shot. For anyone starting out, I recommend dedicating time to learning the technical aspects—experiment with different lighting setups, study how light interacts with your subject, and practice until it becomes second nature.
2. Finding Your Unique Voice:
Imposter syndrome is something we all battle, especially in the age of social media. Early in my career, I spent too much time trying to mimic what I saw online, only to realize my work didn’t feel authentic to me. It’s crucial to push yourself creatively and focus on developing your own style. Once I embraced my own vision and became confident in my artistic voice, everything clicked. My clients now come to me because they love my look, not because I’m imitating someone else’s work. My advice? Be patient with yourself, experiment, and trust your instincts—you’ll find your unique perspective in time.
3. Commitment to Lifelong Learning:
Photography is an ever-evolving field, and staying ahead requires a commitment to continuous growth. There have been times when I felt uninspired or stuck creatively, but I’ve learned that the key is to keep creating, even during those dry spells. I regularly invest in business classes, editing workshops, and photography courses to refine my skills and stay current with new technologies, especially with the rise of AI. For anyone starting out, I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to stay curious and adaptable—there’s always more to learn, and that’s what keeps the craft exciting.
My biggest piece of advice for beginners? Stay curious, stay consistent, and trust the process. Growth takes time, but every small step you take will bring you closer to mastering your craft.
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?
Absolutely! I’m always looking to collaborate with passionate creatives—stylists, models, makeup and hair artists, fashion designers, and influencers. I’m especially excited about working on campaigns for fashion brands, building portfolios for fresh talent, and creating images we can all be proud of, whether they’re for personal use or submission to publications.
I’m drawn to both conventional beauty and the wonderfully unconventional—the “freaks and geeks” who bring unique energy and vision to their work. I’m an alternative girl myself, so nothing is off the table! My goal is to create stunning, boundary-pushing imagery that tells a story and leaves a lasting impression.
If you’re reading this and interested in working together, let’s connect! We can shoot magic in my studio in Orange, CA, or create custom sets at other locations around Southern California. Feel free to reach out—I can’t wait to see what we can dream up together.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kathausphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathausphotography
Image Credits
Photography: Kat Haus Photography
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