Kenzi Kate {Be Featured by Haley}

I am so glad that I had the privilege of meeting sweet Kenzie at the PTL retreat this past spring! Let me just say that she has got to be the most kind, genuine, humble person I have ever met! With her bubbly personality, kind heart and humble spirit, she brought so much joy to our retreat. She is also, the type of person to make everyone feel like they are beautiful and unique in their own way…especially when she is taking pictures of you : )

I find Kenzie’s photography fascinating! She has an incredible way of capturing moments, and each photo she takes has a unique edge. I absolutely love how she can take a snapshot and literally transform it, like when she uses the “film” effect. This breathtaking effect, along with her incredible skills, allows Kenzie’s photos to truly shine. Kenzie is doing big things…I see this girl going far in the photography world! I can’t wait for what the Lord has prepared for her and her photography business!

A little about Kenzie:

my name is kenzie & i like taking pictures. like, a lot.

i also like:
personality tests. i’m an infj.
mustard yellow.
wearing mismatched outfits.
letters & hugs.
extroverts.
ballet.
weird music & singing loud.
flowers on the table & tea in a mug.
magazines. nylon & kinfolk are my faves.
holgas, polaroids & disposables.
tina fey (she’s my girl crush)
airports & maps & globes & traveling.
learning about other cultures.
writing on my other blog.
deep conversations (small talk makes me feel awkward).
watercoloring & journaling & making things pretty.
(except, not my hair. i dont even own a hairbrush.)
museums & pretending i know anything about art.
theater & show tunes. the more obnoxious, the better.
netflix. name a show or documentary, i’ve probably seen it. twice.
jesus (a whole lot more than a lot).
people & stories & weddings & being able to take pictures of all of it!!

How did you get into photography? And who encouraged you to pursue it?
I’ve always been really into art. I guess my first exposure (ha) to photography was during an art class freshman year of high school. We had this simple photography portfolio project, but it enthralled me. I did well and my teacher encouraged me to explore the medium more in-depth. I didn’t really think much of it at the time, but thinking back, that was definitely the beginning of my love for photography. Over the next year I became obsessed. I began just taking pictures of anything & everything. I kept it to myself for the most part, but my parents were definitely vocal in pushing me to explore it further. I’ve been super blessed to have quite a few influential people in my life that affirmed this passion in me early on, and encouraged me to pursue it seriously.

What inspires you?
Oh snap. Most everything! I’ve always felt a pull towards anything creative/abstract: art, music, dance, film, books, interior design. Mostly, though, I’m incredibly inspired by people. I absolutely love hearing peoples’ stories—how they became the people they are, their dreams, their joys. It sounds so cliché, but I really truly believe that every body on this earth has something to offer, and I love meeting people that are just DOING it. I love love and friendship and UGH it is just so cool to see people ardently pursuing/using the talents they’ve been given. Inspiring.

Who is your favorite photographer? Or a photographer you look up to?
My favorites//who I’m most inspired by: Brooke Davis, Jonas Peterson, Abi Quisenberry, The Image is Found & Andria Lindquist. I will forever be partial towards, absolutely adore & look up to Sharon Clark of Smitten Photography. She is truly the best.

What is your favorite type of photography?

People. As long as there is a person in front of my camera, I’m all about it. Like, honestly, if a picture doesn’t have a person in it, I usually don’t care about it. Specific favorites? Both weddings and portraits. I feel most challenged/freaking BLESSED when I’m photographing couples in love on the biggest day of their lives. I feel most inspired with portraiture—it was what I started with, and will probably always be one of my most favorites.

How did you hear about Pursuing the Light?
I got connected with Katie like…two years ago? Last November, she emailed me about this idea. She wanted to have a retreat for high school girls that wanted to pursue photography & Jesus. I was immediately on board, since I had just graduated high school & knew that something like this could have been such a valuable resource to me when I was first starting out. I got connected with Kristin & quickly booked my flight to be up in Washington for the April retreat!

What did you think of the Pursuing the Light retreat?
I absolutely adored it. EEE! So much love, so many stories, so many beautifully wonderful people from all over the country. I thought it was such a great time to develop friendships, swap wisdom & get away from normal life for a bit.

What was your most favorite thing about Pursuing the Light?
The people. Without a doubt. When I first started shooting weddings, I legitimately believed I was the only person my age trying to figure out this whole deal. It was such a blessing to see so many girls with similar passions and talents come together in one house for a weekend. It was such a blessing to hear their stories. It was such a blessing to learn and watch them grow and be challenged. It was a blessing for me to grow and be challenged.

What are your favorite memories from the Pursuing the Light?
Being silly crazies with all of the girls. Staying up late editing pictures, sharing techniques, giving advice. I also loved hearing how each girl heard about the retreat and hear how God clearly paved a way for them to be there. I loved hearing how God worked in each of us that weekend, in different ways. I love the friendships that were formed—how we all keep in contact with prayer requests, questions, silly stories. How I still text some of the girls on a daily basis—usually a picture of my face, or like a cat or something. I love the fact that I could travel to literally either coast of the country and have a beautiful ptl friend to hang out with!

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“Figuerola stylized wedding” by Kenzie Kate photography

About the Shoot:

How did you come up with the idea or what inspired you to do this shoot? Okay, so I actually didn’t come up with this shoot at all! I really cannot take any credit. It’s like kind of a funny story. I’m close friends with the Figuerolas—the family that owns the property. Over the years, I’ve spent a ton of time at their house and have heard time & again how they have wanted to open it up for events. I had just moved back home for the summer, when I got a call from Rosanna Figuerola. She told me that she was planning a stylized wedding shoot for their website and wanted my friend, Lauren, and I to photograph it. It was Friday night. The shoot was set for the next day. I honestly had no idea what to expect: I sort of expected that I would be taking pictures of the property, maybe have some people modeling for part of it. When I arrived in the morning, I was met by florists, the “bride & groom,” makeup artists, and tons of help with set-up. The entire day was amazing, elaborate, well-thought out and seriously gorgeous. The little chapel where the ceremony took place is on the property and had honestly the best light I’ve ever experienced. The horses, the trees, the insanely gorgeous dinner set up: I was completely floored. I had no idea that it would result in some of my favorite pictures ever—I basically just walked through the day saying, “OKAY! I guess we’re doing this!” So fun.

Who helped you put it together?
I just took pictures :)

Who were your models?
The groom is a friend of mine, and Rosanna Figuerola’s younger son. The bride is another friend, a girl I went to high school and church with for years—I actually took her senior pictures this summer! She wore my best friend’s sister’s wedding dress. The two aren’t even a couple—like, whatsoever—but they did an amazing job pretending to be!

What are your favorite types of shoots?
I absolutely love weddings and stylized portraiture. I love being able to just float around a property, see what catches my eye, and try placing people into the scene. That’s seriously what we did all day, and it was such a joy.

Would you ever do another shoot like this one? If so, what kind of shoot would you like to do next?
I’m actually not a fan of stylized shoots. I feel like so many are so typical and don’t really push creativity. This, however, was such a joy to be a part of. I felt like we were each challenged—probably because the whole thing was such a surprise to me. I do love the idea of working with a team, having a vision, and making that vision reality. I think if I were to do a stylized shoot, it would have to be pretty out of the box, way out of my comfort zone, and stay true to what I feel pulled to as an artist :)

You can see the final pictures at http://www.kenziekatephoto.com/blog/2012/06/11/figuerola-ranch-stylized-wedding-santa-ynez-ca/! :)