Meet Kate Mangubi

We recently connected with Kate Mangubi and have shared our conversation below.

Kate, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

I’ve been photographing for over 14 years. For me, photography goes beyond just taking pictures—it’s about preserving joy, spontaneity, and the fleeting moments of life. I especially love photographing children. Each session with them shows me their incredible ability to live in the present, reminding me to do the same.

When I pick up the camera, I forget everything else. Even if I’m feeling unwell, with a sore back or headache, I stop noticing it as soon as I start shooting. The process pulls me in so deeply that I lose track of time.

When I’m photographing, I feel connected to something greater, as if I’m helping people hold onto pieces of their lives that might otherwise slip away. Over time, seeing how much these memories mean to people, I’ve realized that the work I love brings joy and meaning to others—and that’s how I know I’m where I’m meant to be.

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?

I am a photographer. I create individual portraits, capture families, and have a special love for photographing children. I find joy in seeing the beauty in this world—in the smiles and even the sadness in the eyes of my subjects. I love them just as they are.

Preserving memories for people brings me a deep sense of fulfillment. Photography is like a time machine, holding onto the past. Our children grow up so quickly, and seeing how they were at different stages of life is priceless. Having the chance to go back and relive a beautiful moment, to see loved ones who may no longer be with us, to witness the smile of a little one when they were small—all of this fills our hearts with warmth.

And I’m so grateful that I can help people hold onto that.

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?

For a photographer, being able to truly see is essential. I once had a moment when I was waiting for my daughter outside her art school. I noticed how the snow was swirling around a streetlamp, and the tree branches seemed to be wrapping around it. It was so beautiful that I couldn’t look away. An elderly woman approached me and asked, “What do you see there?” I explained it to her, and she was so surprised. She stood with me for about ten minutes, just watching the lamp. She saw the beauty in it.

People often rush through life, looking but not really seeing what surrounds them. The most important skill a photographer can have is the ability to see. This skill can be developed—with the help of films, paintings by great artists, and the work of other photographers.

The second essential skill, of course, is understanding light. Photography, after all, means “drawing with light.” Light is the most critical element in photography. And the third is technical skill. It’s important to understand the purpose of aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. But the technical side is not as difficult as it seems.

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?

The greatest support on my creative journey has come from two people. My husband, Yuri, has always believed in me, encouraged me, and told me that I’m a talented photographer. And, of course, my teacher, Sergey Shandin, who is an incredible person. Thanks to him, I learned how to photograph and truly see; he is a teacher in the truest sense.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @kate_photo_nyc @kate_photochild_nyc @bnw_mangubi

Image Credits

Kate Mangubi