Second Shooting | Jorgensen Farms

July 20, 2018 By // by kate

A photographer friend of mine, Jason, who owns and runs Jason Joseph Photography, called and asked if I wanted to second shoot a wedding with him, and my answer was a pretty immediate, duh. As our conversation progressed and we chatted through the details, I found out that the venue for the day was to be Jorgensen Farms. Hell yes. Jorgensen Farms has been on my photography bucket list for a while, and I was stoked.

Second Shooting | Jorgensen Farms

Second shooting weddings has fast become one of my favorite ways to spend an afternoon (or day, depending on the wedding, and the photographer that is the primary) I get to show up, capture the day, hand over the files as outlined in the contract that k.H.a. has with the primary studio, and head home to flip through the files that I captured, edit those that I have a big draw towards, and then switch back over to working on the other projects I have on my desk.

Jorgensen Farms as a Wedding Venue

The calm, peaceful, WONDERFUL energy that the owners have cultivated hits you as soon as you set foot out of the car in the gravel parking area. You can feel the love and care and attention to detail that has gone into cultivating the Historic Barn (and property as a whole) into a venue and event space. It’s fantastic. The light out there, phenomenal.

The wedding that Jason and I photographed together took place in the back fields, the reception in the Historic Barn. The bride and bridesmaids got ready and dressed in the yellow house, to the right of the Arena, the fellas in the grey house (Jason covered those details, while I spend time with the ladies)

The Historic Barn venue is divided into four unique areas: The Potting Shed and Patio welcomes guests onto a cozy brick patio made from reclaimed materials; The Arena provides rustic charm for your wedding or event; the versatile Main Barn post and beam structure offers a unique area for appetizers, indoor dancing, seating and more; and the Flower Field stretches across half an acre with expansive flower beds that bloom throughout the seasons, and holds space for maximum seating. – Jorgensen-Farms.com/events

Ya’ll. This place seriously rocks, and made photographing the day a dream.

Want to work with me? Hello@khalifestylephotography.com

#khalifestylephotography #kathrynheitkamp #jorgensenfarms #ohioweddings #jasonjosephphotography #weddingday #portraits

Introducing Colby, like the cheese, Caldwell.

July 1, 2018 By // by kate

Introducing Colby

I met Thom Stevenson last summer through Cancer Support Community of Central Ohio, and it was this instant click of oh, there you are. Our friendship has blossomed since then, to the point that when one of calls the other and says, hey, wanna do a thing? The answer is invariably, Yes. When and where do I need to be?

Thom is a professor in the Patton College of Education at Ohio University, teaching classes in restaurant operations, intro to food production, and the senior capstone class, so when he called and asked if I wanted a summer intern, my answer was immediate.

Yes. Yes I do.

I’d had met Colby earlier this spring when Thom brought one of his classes up to Columbus for a field trip to any of a variety of Columbus food facilities, and we talked that day about getting together to shoot, so when I found out that the intern that would be spending the summer working alongside of me was Colby, I was thrilled.

Without any further ado, meet Colby C Caldwell.

Hello! My name is Colby, like the cheese, Caldwell. That’s right, C.O.L.B.Y. Like the cheese.

Writing an “about me” is probably one of the worst things as a person you have to do. You have to sit down and dive deep inside yourself in order to show the world who you want them to see. And harder yet, you have to do it largely with words.

I’m a visual person. I’m not a big fan of writing or speaking (sometimes) a sentence to save my life. I can tell you just about anything and odds are, you’ll believe it. Why? “because you read it on the Internet.”

I can tell you just about anything and odds are, you’ll believe it.

I love to go to the gym, you’ll see me at the bars every night and I love cats like no body’s business.

All that? Damned lies.

It’s so easy to fall prey to false information on the internet. A photo doesn’t tell the whole story and a being a headline doesn’t make it true. I want to write a blog with the intentions of being real and authentic with my readers.

I’m a wannabe city boy who grew up in the country, surrounded by a family of truckers and farmers

I’m from a small town in Southeastern Ohio where the grass may seem a little greener but the hills – a little steeper. I won’t start all the way back at the beginning, but I’ll sum it by saying I grew up a gay male in conservative Gallia County. I’ve learned to see the world A LOT differently than your average Appalachian, having to tiptoe everyday through the mine fields of bullies, ignorant comments, and religious persecution.

I’m a wannabe city boy who grew up in the country, surrounded by a family of truckers and farmers, and I’ve never had the desire to get down and dirty on the farm or in the garage. No, I don’t want to plant tobacco or feed your cows and I’d rather not crawl look under the 3 ton semi. Thanks, but no thanks. I love my family, don’t get me wrong, but this apple fell far from the farmer’s tree.

I want to travel and see the world outside of small-town Ohio, meet other passionate people, take photos of good food and pet all of the dogs along the way. I live my life seeking authentic interactions, big and/or small adventures, phenomenal food and lots of it.

Currently a student at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, I study Commercial Photography and Restaurant, Hotel and Tourism. I began photographing portraits and weddings but soon found I had a passion for food and how it should be portrayed. Sure, I could take a standard portrait. But I’d rather take a portrait of you and cover you in your favorite food. Nothing will make you smile more than when you have half a pizza on your face. Trust me.

I like to think outside of the pizza box by creating surreal and whimsical photos – something you’d only see in Wonderland.

Dudes & Details | Working with Heather

June 2, 2018 By // by kate

Dudes & Details | Working with Heather

I met Heather Marlin seven or so days after moving to Ohio two years ago when we both attended a workshop on boudoir photography lead by Erica Coffman at UA Creative. We clicked. (hah. I made an unintentional funny.) She owns and runs Big Fish Stories Photography and Design, and she is one of the best and coolest women I know.

When she called and asked if I wanted to second for her at a wedding, capturing the moments and memories by way of wrangling groomsmen and documenting the details. I was all in. Anytime she calls to ask if I want to get my camera out with her, I’m down. (I get to wrangle babies at her newborn sessions (read = I snuggle the wee ones so that Heather do her thang, and the new mom and dad get a couple of hours to close their eyes or watch tv in her studio sitting room) it rocks)

Anytime she calls to ask if I want to get my camera out with her, I’m down.

Upon arriving a the hotel, Heather headed off with the ladies, to document the getting ready portion of the day with the bride and bridesmaids, and headed off to find the room the groom and groomsmen were hanging out in prior to the ceremony.

These dudes were so much fun to hang out with. They’ve all been friends since most of them could remember, and the love and deeeeeeep rooted affection they’ve all got for each other, it was palpable that day.

Heather, I’ll come shoot for you anytime.

Interested in working with me? Hello@khalifestylephotography.com

The Second Annual Live Pod Cast Event | The Wine & Shine Podcast

May 31, 2018 By // by kate

THE SECOND ANNUAL LIVE POD CAST EVENT | THE WINE & SHINE PODCAST AT LIT+LIFE YOGA

I met Liz and Nina, the duo behind the Wine & Shine Podcast, last year, when we teamed up to create a lifestyle branding photography for the podcast, and I subsequently became the Wine & Shine’s photographer.

These two women y’all, they’re seriously kick ass. They’re passionate about what they do, passionate about supporting and lifting up other women (something that is SERIOUSLY lacking in todays world), and all around passionate about life.

Last year they hosted their first ever live podcast event, at Allie and Adam Lehman’s Wonder Jam, with guests Katie Dalebout, Taylor Riggs, and Simi Biotic (legit, the energy that these babes bring together is phenomenal). This year, the Second Annual Wine & Shine Live Podcast was held at Lit+Life Yoga, and featured Ashley Rector, the founder of Harness Magazine, and the powerhouse health coach that is Julie Wojno.

The light, and energy, and good jujus that filled the Lit+Life that night, real kick ass, and real fun to photograph.

Short and Stout, Columbus’ favorite mobile bar, kept the wine flowing in the cool evening air, and the light that night? It was perfect.

Want to work with me? Hello@khalifestylephotography.com

#wineandshinepodcast #juliewojno #ashleyrector #harnessmagazine #litlifeyoga #shortandstoutbar #columbusohio #womensupportingwomen #blogandbizbabes #khalifestylephotography

I’m Kate | Let Me Introduce Myself

May 21, 2018 By // by kate

So here’s the thing. I’ve been putting a lot of thought into how I wanted to write this. How to start writing this. And I kept getting stuck.

Everything felt wrong and forced and fake. And tonight, I figured it out. I was trying to figure out a way to ease into it, smooth the road, and all that.

Here’s the thing though, that’s bullshit, on evvvvvery level. I’ve spent far too much of my life trying to be less of myself so that others would be happy, and I’m real done with that.

Imma be real open (read=vulnerable) and realllllllllly real with all this. I grew up in Oregon, and traveled all throughout the West (which means anything rest of the Rockies, and the state of Montana, should there be any inquiring minds.), and while I have friends scattered across the country, and globe, my family pretty firmly planted between California, Oregon, and Washington state.

Jeff and I made the decision to move away from Portland together, and I was ecstatic to be moving closer to my nieces and nephews, to actually get to be involved in all of life, not just an aunt that shows up at holidays bearing gifts. Scared (because duh, I moved to a state in which I only knew a handful of people) but excited to see what the world had in store for us across the country. Know the saying “If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans?” Real true.

I did everything that I was supposed to do, and not only did it not work, I lost myself in the process.

We did move across the country, and yup, closer to family. I was excruciatingly careful to not post anything on Facebook, here through k .H.a. Lifestyle Photography, or on Cook.Eat.Explore, that could be seen as “too much”, “too out there”, “too polarizing.” Didn’t matter if it was something that I’m passionate about (for the record, I’m 100% pro-choice. What a woman chooses to do with her body, that’s her business. Not yours. I think that states who have legalized the use of recreational thc are genius (don’t believe me, or think otherwise? Check out the tax revenue that those states have been pulling in, hand over fist, which fixes roads. And fund schools. I think that Trump is Hitler reincarnate. (We are on a dangerously similar path to that of Hitlers Germany), but see, I had to tamp all of that down. Because it might be too much. I might offend someone. A potential client may not hire me, because I’m outspoken about what I believe in, but worst of all, what if family saw it, what would they think? (It’s amazing what you can make yourself ok with. Until you can’t.)

I did everything that I was supposed to do, and not only did it not work (that’s a conversation that will only ever be had in the inky darkness of the other side of midnight, soaked in bourbon) I lost myself. I stopped being me to try and make everyone else happy. Well, guess what. The family that we moved out here to be closer to? The mask finally slipped free, and it always does, the truth came out.

My “sins” had been roundly counted, listed, and apparently broadly discussed amongst everyone in the family, save my husband or myself, anyways. It didn’t matter that I’d been doing EVERYTHING I could to try and fit in. It happened anyhow. I stood up for myself. (You can guess how well that went over).

After WPPI this year, I drove through the Sonoran Desert to Phoenix to spend time with friends, and we ended up driving over the Superstition Mountains, on a historic stretch of road that is real high up the list of the most dangerous roads in the world (totally by accident), which also traverses land that is considered to be cursed by both the Apache and Navajo tribes (the blood that had been spilled there so long ago stained the earth in the truest of senses), under a full moon. Whoops.

Randall, I know I’ve said it before, and I’ll be saying it until I draw my last breath. I have such HUGE respect for how cool and composed you were behind the wheel that night. Driving over those mountains that night, my life (and his own, and that of his husband) were absolutely in Randall’s hands. The right side of the car, sheer rock face, straight up. The left side of the car, straight down.

Had his grip on the wheel slipped once, had his attention faltered, at all, that would have been it for the three of us. Curtains. Swan song time.

It was only after we’d (finally) got into our room that night out at Apache Lake, that the adrenaline coursing through our bodies finally began to abate that we were able to process the prior four hours, stretch out and get some VERY needed rack time.

Gut check time.

The next night, watching we had the Oscars on when we got back from dinner, and Keala Settle performed This Is Me on the Oscars, (I still haven’t seen The Greatest Showman) and it was like a dam burst open inside of me.

I am never tamping myself down in that way to try to be accepted again. This is it. This is me. Flaws, faults, and all.

What makes me, me.

Aside from 33 trips around the sun? My passionate love affair with a really good manicure, massage, or night out laughing with friends. I’m killlller in the kitchen, and when I offer to cook for you, I really mean it. Bear in mind that dinner in our home is rarely served before 9:30. HOWEVER, there will not only be good wine flowing, there will be multiple appetizer platters put in front of you, bites of whatever I’m cooking offered for tasting along the way, and more likely than not, a big ass box of Goldfish crackers in the pantry. Because I apparently have the same taste in snacks as most two-year-olds.

I am blunt. Friendly. Funny. Loyal to a fault (again, of which there are many). I play the piano. I am a shoulder to lean on when the world gets too heavy. I’m a sanctuary for my loved ones. My blue eyes will pin you to the wall, and I will know without question if you’re lying to me. I make a hell of a cocktail. If you tell me you can hang, I’ll believe you. I’m not your mother or your priest. Music pumps out of the speakers in my car and in my home. All of the time. I’m a night owl. I’m an old soul. I’m passionate, I’m caring, I’m compassionate. I swear like a sailor on a five-day bender. I can be too impulsive and I don’t have a huge amount of patience. I very firmly believe that sexuality is powerful and that confidence is sexy. I know what it means to have your heart broken and your hopes dashed. I’ve traveled the world. I’ve held back other women’s hair, and I’ve had my own held back. I believe in destiny and karma and I own more than one tarot deck. I’m loud, and I have zero tolerance for bullshit.

I may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I am a damn fine shot of whiskey.

Want to work with me? hello@khalifestylephotography.com

Arizona | Desert Photography & Recharging My Soul

May 13, 2018 By // by kate

Arizona | Desert Photography | Recharging My Soul

When I was a couple years into university, I knew I needed a big change, and as such, opted to move to Northern Utah. Yup. You read that right. I moved to Northern Utah. Everyone I know thought that I had 100% lost my mind me, living in Utah. I knew though, that that was where I was supposed to be at the time, and I am hugely glad that I listened to myself, packed it all up, and moved from Oregon to the high desert of Northern Utah, not knowing a soul.

It was the best decision I could have ever made for myself.

The high desert, the air, the light, the way it smells, it recharges my soul in the best ways. Now that we’re living in Ohio, I make it a point to head Southwest at least once a year to recharge my batteries, clear my mind, and soak in as much desert as I can. This year, the week following WPPI, I headed to Phoenix to stay with friends, and that extra week in the desert, it was exactly what I needed. We hiked. We drove out and spent a couple nights at Apache Lake Resort and Marina, we stayed up late sitting around the fire, drinking and catching up, cooking together and generally recharging our batteries.

Hiking in the desert is it’s own special thing, unlike hiking any where else.

Sunset Hiking | Piestewa Peak

One of the last evenings before it was time for me to heads back to Ohio again, we went hiking for the sunset at Piestewa Peak. Getting out into the mountains and hiking was exactly what I needed. We settled in at the top of a wash (which also turned out to be right at the bottom of a mountain bike jump, watching the bikers jump, whoa.) and settled in to watch the sun drop below the horizon. I got to play with the light, we all recharged our batteries, and slept like rocks when we got home that night.

Sunset Hiking | Piestewa Peak

Want to work with me? Email me. hello@khalifestylephotography.com

Top 100 In The World | Shoot & Share 2018

May 6, 2018 By // by kate

Shoot & Share 2018 | Contest Results

Ya’ll remember last year’s Shoot & Share contest, the one that I entered at the 11th hour, and did so with a wing and prayer, and, how stoked I was for this year’s contest. Like last year, once voting opened, it becomes almost all consuming. And in the best way possible. Friends vote, husbands vote, wives vote, family votes, and you’d better believe that screenshots are sent back and forth when we recognize our friends work.

As we’re all voting, and working, and running errands, and meeting with clients, and cooking, we’re also watching our heart counts rise. Keep in mind that heart counts do not equate to votes, not by a long shot, but they do let you know that you’re still in the running. Which, right around when the round advances is something that is watched like a hawk.

This year, as the rounds rolled one into the next, my heart count kept going up. And I kept getting screen shots from friends, letting me know what they’d seen while voting. And then it kept going.

While absolutely a large focus of our professional lives (ahem. let’s be real here for a second, it becomes a big presence in all parts of our lives) we do also have other things that occupy significant space on the professional lists of things we all have going while the contest itself is running, and as such, the fact that I still had photos in the running into the best of the best round.

Holy. F*ck.

Having photos in the Best of the Best round, that means that I had photos that were finalists. And thanks to the fantastic friends that send me screen shots of what they’d seen while voting, I had more than one that made it. I had three.

THREE.

Three of the 50 photos that I entered into the Shoot and Share contest this year, made it to the top 100 of their category. This year, 11,351 photographers entered 413,065 photos, from across the world. That’s almost a half of a million photos, and I had three place as finalists.

It’s taken me a while to process that fact, to really get it, and it didn’t fully sink in until recently when I was asked in a soundly snarky tone, “Well, top 100 by who’s count?”. The world, dude. The world. And generally, photographers across the world. To say that I’m proud, that barely begins to touch it.

I can’t wait to see what next February brings.

Want to work with me? Send me an email! hello@khalifestylephotography.com

Arthritis Foundation Gala ‘18, a Black Tie Affair

March 12, 2018 By // by kate

Arthritis Foundation Gala ’18 // The Crystal Ball

Last fall, I met Liz Martin, of the Arthritis Foundation through a mutual acquaintance who was at Slow Foods Shake the Hand That Feeds You dinner. We connected on a Sunday morning as I was driving to that mornings shoot, Columbus SOUP’s fall event was that evening, and the photographer that they’d had lined up had to back out at the last-minute due to a family emergency, Liz and I were put in touch, and the rest is history. She reached out again this winter, when it came time to hire a photographer for Arthritis Foundation’s annual fundraising gala, The Crystal Ball.

Arthritis Foundation Mission Statement

For those of you not familiar with what the Arthritis Foundation does, their mission statement is this,

The Arthritis Foundation is the Champion of Yes. Leading the fight for the arthritis community, the Arthritis Foundation helps conquer everyday battles through life-changing information and resources, access to optimal care, advancements in science and community connections. Our goal is to chart a winning course, guiding families in developing personalized plans for living a full life – and making each day another stride towards a cure. We also publish Arthritis Today, the award-winning magazine that reaches 4.2 million readers. – Arthritis.org

Photographing a black tie fundraising gala? Yes please.

The gala was held this year at Villa Milano, in Westerville, and was so. much. fun. When I’m photographing an event, the frozen, staid portrait isn’t something that you’re going to get. The standard step and repeat? No thanks. If we’re going to do this, we’re going to have fun. And oh man did we.

Everyone that opted to have their photo taken ended up laughing and having snuggling thier date, or making funny faces at the camera, or really any combination of both.

A bunch of money was raised to help work towards a cure for arthritis, and we all got to rock out to Mojo Flow while we did it.