new project in the works

For quite some time now, I've been struggling with which direction to go with my photography.  Many would suggest that I go with "where the money is" as that would be the only logical thing one would do when pursuing any career.  But most of us know that it's far easier said than done, especially now with the industry being heavily saturated with other photographers seeking to do the same.  A couple of years ago, I read a brief profile about a young British photographer, now living here in the States, by the name of Nick Hall.  He was chosen as one of PDN's 30 New and Emerging Photographers to watch.  When asked what he considered to be his greatest challenge as a photographer, I was grateful for his answer.  He wrote:  Doubt, and wondering whether you have what it takes to succeed.  You probably don't get over it, you just learn to manage it.  The way I do it is to be really committed to my personal work - to just produce work all the time, do the work you enjoy doing, and hone the style.  

This month, I've officially started my new personal project, which will focus on editorial portraiture of men and a certain fashion trend that's been taking the country by storm.  100% of the project will be shot using various types of film.  I was grateful to my friend, local videographer Ben Woods, for being willing to be my first participant.  I'll share more information about this photo essay as it develops.  Until next time folks!

the Kinfolk Table cookbook | almond-jam tart

I know.  I realize I'm just a little obsessed with Kinfolk.  But seriously, can you blame me?  This publication is like my portal into a world where things are in order, clean, a little quieter, a little simpler, always with good food and with good friends who really have great fashion sense.  So when Kinfolk announced the release of their new cookbook, I knew I had to have a copy.

My first attempt in making the Almond-Jam Tart went extremely well, that is until I pulled it out of the oven.  For anyone who has NEVER baked a tart before, ALWAYS remember that the tart pan comes in two sections and that when pulling it out of the oven it is best that you hold it with two hands.  I did this up until I wanted to free my right hand to close the oven door at which point my brain completely forgot to remind me that that was going to be a bad idea.  Let's just say that the outer ring ended up as a 350˚ bracelet around my wrist for a hot second and my tart ended up splattered all over the kitchen floor.  Tip:  A friend told me that when using a tart pan, it helps to place it on top of a baking sheet.  This helps to keep fluids from dripping into the oven as well as to make removal a lot less cumbersome.

So these photos are of my second attempt at making this tart.  It truly is as delicious as it looks!


The recipe for this tart was submitted by Lillie Auld of Butter Me Up Brooklyn, and is featured in the latest issue of Kinfolk (Issue 9 - pg. 96) and in the cookbook (pg. 53).  Enjoy!

goodbye summer

. . . and hello Fall.

when nature calls

Hello friend.  I've been trying hard to put together a post worth sharing.  Honestly, it's been pretty difficult to do, as you can tell by the long stretches of time between each entry.  It's not that I haven't had anything to bring to you.  It's just that once I sat here attempting to put it together so that it made sense, I simply couldn't do it.  So I'll go ahead and apologize now if this entry seems a little disjointed.  There has been a lot of soul searching going on within myself.  I've been keeping my distance only to allow myself the room I need to be able to breathe . . . deeply.

A few weeks ago, I took my family to Ev-Henwood, a wooded area tucked away about 20 minutes outside of Wilmington.  It was just the kind of wilderness I've been needing.  My daughter, before being mauled by mosquitoes, exclaimed joyfully that it was like being in a magical forest you read about in a storybook.  It was important for me to hear that.  As a parent, especially in the day and age we live in, I worry sometimes that my child doesn't have enough exposure to the natural world.  As I watch her soak in the smells, texture, and sounds of the woods, I'm reminded of how quickly she has grown and of how much I have yet to show her.  I, myself, have felt so far removed from nature that I can feel this thick layer of impenetrable skin slowly forming over my heart like a wall.  Just when I think I'm a lost cause, my daughter gleefully shows me a multi-colored spotted leaf she picked up off the forest floor.  It's so pretty Mama.  I look closely at this leaf, one that looks just like many of the others scattered about in front of me, when I realize that in my hand I hold a letter from God written with veins upon a multi-colored spotted page, delivered to me by a six year old courier.  Nature is another way the Creator speaks with us.  I have truly missed these conversations.

a photographic memory

a day for daddy

It's a little late, but I do hope all you fathers out there were able to celebrate your wonderfulness yesterday!  Our little family spent the day enjoying the glorious weather.  Embracing life as it happens.  

Until next time folks!

things have been a little stormy

Hello friends.  I wanted to stop in and let you  know that I have not fallen off the face of the earth like I wish I could sometimes.  Ha!  Things had been a little stormy here on my end, but I'm ok.  A lot on my mind. 

As Tropical Storm Andrea continues to hang out here on the East Coast, I wish for all my friends that reside along the Atlantic safety and peace in the midst of this storm.  

Until next time.  

xo.kat

she comes to the shore

My beautiful model, local Wilmington actress, Tamica Katzmann. 

Dress created by the absolutely talented Katie Props-Allen.

Shot on location at Fort Fisher, North Carolina.

Happy Earth Day!

I'm a little late with this post, but I hope all of you were still able to recognize and appreciate this beautiful planet we live on.  Yay for green and growth!  Happy Earth Day!!  

mesa dreams leatherworks

Hey friends!  I hope everyone is doing well!  The sun is shining and it is just glorious outside right now!  I wanted to stop in to share with you some photos I took of my 'mini-me' and the awesome belts and buckle that were custom made for her by my wonderful, and insanely talented friend Brandy Kayzakian-Rowe of Mesa Dreams Leatherworks.  Some of you might recall an interview I did with Brandy, focusing primarily on her photography and artwork, awhile back.  Seriously, she is a powerhouse in and of herself!  Brandy, her husband Djerek - who is also her partner in this new artistic venture, and their pups, made the move to Colorado from New Hampshire little over a year ago.  You can see how Colorado's rugged yet beautiful landscape and Southwestern culture has helped inspire her to work with a different medium:  leather.

Brandy is always coming up with new ideas and products.  One of her newer creations, which has been getting a lot of attention lately, is the Leather Clutch Wallet.  It is GORGEOUS!  I want one!!  This gem's beauty is all in the amazing detail work.  Just looking at it makes you want to travel all over the globe JUST so you can add more stars to your wallet!

I cannot thank Brandy enough for sharing her brilliant talents with my family, and for making my kid (and her Mama) super happy!

For more information, and to also stay up-to-date with new products, check out Brandy's Facebook page, as well as her Etsy shop.