About Katy & The Playful Professional

A playful photographer on a mission to capture your boldest, most authentic self with a power pose that makes you unforgettable

Katy, a professional photographer, capturing the perfect shot outdoors, bringing out the personality of her clients in vibrant photos.

Katy in the studio, adjusting the lighting for a branding photoshoot, creating stunning, high-quality images for Utah professionals.

Katy

People always laugh when I tell them I was a shy kid, because if you’ve had the pleasure of meeting me in person, you know I’m one chatty Kathy. But it’s true. I was a terrified, quiet little girl up until the age of 8. That’s when my parents put me in acting classes. It only took a couple of performances for me to fully burst out of that shell and never look back. I gained a level of confidence that got me through my awkward teens, restless 20s, many career ups and downs, and countless travels across the country and world.

I’m a true believer that confidence is the cornerstone to a successful life.

Katy directing a branding photo shoot with a client, creating dynamic, authentic images in her studio to help individuals express their confidence through photography.

When you can embrace who you truly are and unapologetically show that to the world, you will be rewarded for it. Because confidence is infectious. It helps build trust, which is what ultimately drives decision making around what people buy and who people hire.

And if there is any place that needs a little help losing its necktie and embracing authenticity, it’s the professional world.

That’s why I started The Playful Professional, to help individuals and businesses explore what it means to be both bold and credible. From headshots to brand photography, every image tells a story of ambition, creativity, and confidence.

When someone steps in front of my lens, I make sure that they are able to see themselves as others do: powerful, capable, and unforgettable.

Meet the Staff

Chili - Chief Vibes Officer

Chili is responsible for keeping the overall vibes of the business high. Known for spontaneous tail wags and an uncanny ability to make clients smile, Chili makes sure we always keep the “playful” in Playful Professional. Although exceedingly friendly, Chili typically stays behind the scenes, offering moral support to Katy and continually keeping the good vibes flowing.

When Chili is not working you can usually find her digging holes in the backyard, napping on the couch, or counting down the hours until the next mealtime.

Katy with her energetic dog Chili, bringing playful energy to every photoshoot, ensuring a relaxed and fun atmosphere for clients.

My path to photography is a little windy.

The journey to now

Katy in her graduation cap and gown, celebrating her degree in journalism, marking the beginning of her journey into visual storytelling.

2015

I graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in journalism. But during my first job as a newspaper reporter, I quickly realized that I was much more drawn to visual storytelling. That’s when I picked up a camera and tried to become YouTube famous. (Yes, you are allowed to laugh.)

Katy on a hiking adventure in Patagonia, capturing her journey of self-discovery while traveling with a camera, learning to direct and photograph.

2016

After just a year in the professional world, I decided I wasn’t quite ready to fully adult. So I sold all of my belongings and booked a one way ticket to the southernmost tip of South America. Over the next year, I made my way north to Colombia, meeting the most incredible people along the way and practicing my camera skills on my Dad’s ancient Nikon.

Katy capturing moments in Charleston, SC, as she began her freelance film business, focusing on weddings and small business promotional videos.

2017

I moved to Charleston, SC and started a freelance film business focusing on weddings and small business promo videos.

Katy working as a video producer in Washington, DC, learning about the power of social media and creating impactful video content.

2019

I got a job as a video producer at an international nonprofit in Washington, DC. This is where I learned about the importance of social media marketing and what really grabs people’s attention online.

Katy setting up her home studio during the COVID-19 lockdown to practice photography and lighting, capturing creative images with friends.

2020

The COVID-19 lockdown provided more time to explore photography, a craft I’d always been curious about but a bit intimidated by. I built a mini-studio in my house and began practicing lighting and editing techniques with my friends. Since none of them were professional models, I quickly learned how to direct and pose people who had zero experience in front of the camera.

Katy and her partner Nick celebrating their move to Salt Lake City, Utah, to be closer to the mountains and embrace new adventures.

2023

I moved to Salt Lake City with my partner, Nick, so that we could be closer to our happy place - the mountains.

Katy in her Salt Lake City studio, capturing a bold professional portrait, showcasing her passion for photography and commitment to confidence and creativity.

By this point I had become completely obsessed with photography and decided to dive in headfirst. And that is how The Playful Professional was born — with a whole lot of chutzpah and a dream of redefining professional photography by creating an experience where authenticity, confidence, and creativity converge.