Meet Katie Navarro | Photographer, Graphic Designer, and Someone Who Is Just Trying to Figure Things Out

We had the good fortune of connecting with Katie Navarro and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Katie, how do you think about risk?
Risk taking has allowed me to grow exponentially over the past few years. Before I started my business, I felt like I was stuck in a rut- doing the same thing everyday for what seemed like years. I was 22-years-old and I was bored with my life. I had no fun stories to tell my future kids about the cool and crazy adventures I went on when I wad young.

Growing up, I always wanted to be an artist. A painter, a photographer, a singer- something creative. Being a realist (or pessimist depending on who you ask), I knew that the chances of me becoming an artist of some sorts was very unlikely. I busted my butt in school thinking I was going to become a doctor. After burning myself out semester after semester, I finally decided to take a break from school to hang on to whatever sanity I had left.

With my newly found free time, I started taking pictures wherever I went. I went to Colorado for the first time in my life and that’s where I decided that I wanted to stop letting life run by me. I wanted to be the main character in my own story, not just comic relief in others’ lives. When I got back, I figured out how to start a business, watched as many videos about cameras as I could, taught myself how to use Photoshop.

Since then, these past few years have flown by. Learning about art and photography was more exciting than biology. One by one, the gigs started rolling in. I was actually making money doing something that I liked doing. Each day that goes by has made me realize that risk taking can definitely be worth it because I would rather know that I tried something that let the anxiety eat me alive thinking out what could have been.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I love being able to show others my work and see a smile on their face. For some reason, the external validation really does something for me. I am very proud of my editing style. I like to edit images in a way that they are a little less saturated and have a “dusty” look to them. It’s very different from a lot of the other photographers that I have looked into. I have compared myself to those photographers in the past and I learned that that is not good for me. Photography became a form of expression for me and when I realized that not only do my clients need to like my photos, but I also needed to like my photos.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Being based in Arizona, I definitely have some hometown favorites but Colorado is a totally different ballgame. Throughout my adventures in Colorado, I have discovered that the Meow Wolf exhibit in Denver is one of my favorite places. No matter how much time you spend in there, you’ll keep finding new, weird, mind-bending rooms and details that really make you thing.

On the completely opposite side of the spectrum, I adored Garden of the Gods and Manitou Springs. Garden of the Gods made me realize how small I was in the world and grounded me which I think everyone could benefit from. Manitou Springs reminded me of home. There is a town near me in Arizona called Bisbee and that’s what Manitou Springs reminded me of. Little shops, crystals, niche markets. It was nice learning that there are aspects of a foreign place that can be comforting.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to recognize Mark and Terry. They were the ones who bought me my first “high end” camera. They owned the doctor’s office that I was working at when I decided I wanted to live a little. Mark, who was a practicing physician told me he didn’t want me to go to medical school- that I had too much talent to throw it away. I explained to him that being a creative is difficult when you don’t have the financial means to get started because cameras, lenses, software, etc, are pretty expensive. Then one day I walked into work and there was a brand new camera sitting on my desk. With out them, I don’t know if I would be where I am today.

I also want to acknowledge my friend Robin. She has been there for me since the beginning-literally. She was the first person to ever pay me for my services. I have taken pictures for her and her kids. Robin has singlehandedly help me build the confidence I needed to push myself to grow my business further.

I am incredibly thankful for everyone who has helped me progress personally and professionally.

Website: knphotography.studio

Instagram: instagram.com/knphotography.jpeg

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/knphotographyaz

Other: https://www.redbubble.com/people/navarrok98/shop?asc=u

Image Credits
KN Photgraphy