If you have never seen Kat’s wedding photography, you should go check it out – it’s awesome. Kat is a Florida photographer like me and has a very edgy and photojournalistic style. She is rising as one of the top wedding photographers in the country and somehow gracefully manages a photography business and 2 kids! I’ve had the pleasure of meeting her in person a couple times and she is a very calm and insightful person. I really enjoyed reading her interview answers, and I hope you enjoy getting to know her & her work as well!

Name:  Kat Braman
Age: 33
Location: Jupiter, Florida

Blog/Website/Twitter/FB Page:
http://www.katbramanphotography.com
http://twitter.com/katbraman

How long have you been a photographer, and how did you get started? I’ve been a photographer for almost 4 years and I got started because of an amazing vacation to Alaska.

What’s your favorite type of session to photograph, and why? Wedding.  Because although many of the rituals are the same, each one is completely different and I love the challenge in capturing all of those emotions.  And I absolutely adore shooting wedding receptions.  Especially when the wedding has a great band or DJ and everyone is out on the dance floor.  I love getting right in the middle of it, shooting some great photos and listening to fun music.

What are three words that describe your photography? authentic, intimate, edgy

Are you a Canon or Nikon girl, and which lens is typically glued to your camera? I shoot Canon, but Nikon has some excellent cameras and lenses.  My absolute favorite lens is the 35 1.4.

How do you find balance being a mom and managing your own photography business? It’s hard to fund the balance between work and family sometimes.  It’s important to schedule time off for yourself.   On Saturday’s, business and clients have to come first, but the rest of the week I make sure I spend lots of time with my family.  I think it’s important to have spontaneous family time.  You have to be ok with setting the never ending to do list aside to play Thomas the Train or go to the park or pretend to be Jessie to your 4 year old’s Buzz.

What’s your best advice for photographing your own kids? Keep it simple.   Don’t focus on capturing that perfect photograph.   I think when shooting kids the best photos always happen when you least expect them.   I like to capture kids in play, just being themselves, rather than trying to pose them or force them to smile.

How do you stay inspired? I love to capture real life, so inspiration is everywhere.  I also love to get inspiration from movies and books because that’s how I approach a wedding day.

What’s your guilty pleasure? curling up with a book and shutting the world out

What’s the best thing about your job? I get to document one of the most important and emotional days of two people’s lives.  It’s amazing.

Here’s Kat’s favorite recent wedding image, which also happens to be one of my favorites of hers as well. It takes a moment for your eyes to find the bride and groom, but once they do – isn’t this just stunning? Kat rocks, doesn’t she?!