I have LOVED hearing all of your super encouraging words after introducing Kate last week!!
Here’s what Kate wanted to share with y’all about her training & experience with me!

This is a letter straight from her:

“Y’all! The past few months have been a whirlwind let me tell ya! It’s story time… so grab your coffee and buckle down!

Throwing us back to my freshman year of high school (woot woot) where my spark for photography was ignited (hot fire flames)!!! I started dipping my toes into FILM photography… yes you heard that right, film. The whole process of being able to create your own images, develop them, and do the entire process from scratch was so thrilling that I stayed with it for the next two years. When our school darkroom was being renovated everyone had to switch to digital. So my last year in New Mexico (my junior year) I dabbled around in nature and senior photography.. After my junior year my family got stationed to California where I spent my senior year taking AP2D art where I continued pursuing nature photography. 

I started my journey to Perry last August as my family had just moved and found their dream home months before. I had previously attended Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, New Mexico and wanted to be close to my family again. The day after I moved here I set up an interview from a previous connection from my work at the Air Force Academy in Colorado. I then started to work for Rocky’s Convenience Stores under the Mattingly family in their main office. Everyday on my lunch break I would drive up to the bakery for lunch passing Rebecca Vann Photography on Green St. 

I always wondered if I should be bold and ask Rebecca if she would be willing to let me shadow under her. I had never ‘specialized’ in portrait photography or practiced enough recently that I felt it would be worth her time to consider it. Fast forward to March of 2019 I entered Valdosta State University’s student art show where I entered a few pieces. I needed a distraction so I figured why not?! I entered up to 4 pieces and TWO of my pieces made it into the art competition with one of them selling towards the end of the gallery closing. From this thrilling experience I felt so much more confident in my work and knew I wanted to get back into the groove of things…. 

As I was realizing how much I missed having the free will to shoot I saw a post on Rebecca Vann Photography’s page about hiring an Associate Photographer. I WAS SO NERVOUS YALL. I knew I needed to be vulnerable and just try, because you never know until you try. So I mustered up the courage, sat down, and tried to make it sound like I knew what I was doing when it came to photography. Let me tell ya, it isn’t easy trying to sell yourself to your potential new boss from a highschool dream. After I applied I checked my email RELIGIOUSLY for TWO WEEKS. It was like sitting on pins and needles times a thousand. I finally got an email explaining how I – of all people- was considered for an interview. Going into the interview I was confident but extremely nervous because I had NO idea where this could go. I walked into RVP and Rebecca greated me like I was a long time friend (only I had previously met her for the first time two days prior). I would love to say we had an interview but we mostly sat there laughing and telling life stories. It felt like home. So warm and welcoming.

A few weeks have gone by since the ‘interview’ and I am once again sitting on pins and needles times a thousand. As my natural self starts to over-analyze and overthink the situation I received and email from Rebecca stating that she had selected three potential associate photographers that she wanted to invite to a FINAL interview to see how we would interact with clients. The interviewed entailed her GORGEOUS daughters being models at their new home on Vann Lane. As I set up my interview time I knew it would be hot, miserable, and the girls would probably rather be anywhere BUT outside lol. I decided to bring a prop: WATERMELON. Because what is better on a hot summer day than some nice juicy fruit paired with some white dresses?!?!? I showed up to the shoot with fresh (literally, I had my dad cut it right before I left) watermelon ready to take on the evening. The shoot went well, her daughters were absolutely amazing and SO SO precious. We sat in Rebecca’s nicely air-conditioned house just shooting the breeze about our crazy lives. I went to leave having all of my nervousness and anxiety that had been building up over the past month leave my body. *ring, ring* I look down at my phone and Rebecca is calling me. Keep in mind I JUST left her house from the second interview shoot. I remember so vividly her saying, “Hey Kate, I just wanted to let you know that I made my final decision and I would like to offer you one of the positions.” I AM BALLING. LITERAL TEARS. Which is normal because I am a BIG baby. Although I was ecstatic, I had no idea what the next couple of months would entail.

Rebecca and I both had a lot going on over the summer with me leaving for Colorado for work for two weeks, her going to a conference, vacation, just all the things. Once we were back in town I was able to start my training process. My favorite training was in person with Rebecca at the studio and around town. She taught me ALL THE THINGS. Aperture, shutter speed, ISO, posing, lighting, and tips and tricks for anything and everything. It was hot, but it was a refresher well needed.

Fast-forward to you reading this, as I just finished telling you all the things I have been through the past couple of months. I never thought I would be able to pursue such an exciting career. It has been so life changing the past couple of months not only to realize that I am good at what I do (of course there’s always room for improvement), but how much I love having this artistic freedom. Needless to say, I can’t wait for all the experiences and open doors this will open not only for me but for this AMAZING brand… 

I SAY BRAND LIGHTLY BECAUSE IT’S MORE LIKE FAMILY.“

A thank you to those who’ve supported me: First of all, I would like to give a HUGE shoutout to everyone who has supported me during this crazy journey! Especially my parents, Amy and Darryl Woodruff. They have been my biggest supporters in E V E R Y decision or conflict I have faced in life. I mean they watched me get into trouble, go through breakups, laugh at my blonde moments (which happen more often than none), struggle with life choices and have encouraged me to never EVER quit. Growing up military I was blessed with a lifestyle not many get to experience. Honestly, as a kid I HATED being a military brat because of the constant moving, having to make new friends, and changing schools. But as I got older I realized I was able to look back and see how much this lifestyle helped me grow. I have friends and countless memories in every state I’ve been to (6 different states). I got to leave my ‘hometown’ and flourish away from the small-town life. And most importantly I had amazing parental units who sacrificed so much not just for me to have a great life, but for my two younger brothers as well. My brothers and I experienced more deployments and TDY’s than I can remember, but without my wonderful Daddy being gone to support our family we wouldn’t have the life we have today. And to my beautiful Mom who continuously stayed strong for us at home and held the fort down while Dad was away. You are the backbone of this family.
Second, I would like to thank all of my friends and  ‘adopted family’ (and I wish I had enough time and space to name each individual) that has supported me along the way. They have continuously watched me grow, struggle, and take on life with a smile on more times than I can count on my own two hands. I think it’s funny how throughout life you meet so many people that make such an impact in your life that you literally never see coming. One family I would like to thank in particular are the Kincheloe’s. When I met my best friend turned sister, Kat (who you will meet from one of my senior sessions) her ENTIRE family took me under their wings and welcomed me as if I was their own. From this friendship I gained so many people in my life that I never expected to call family. AND IT CONSUMES ME. I am completely and totally blessed to have been able to be a part of this amazing family. Kat, Deanna, Cynthia, Jay, Kelsey, & Paula… thank you for being everything I needed in a second family and in a support system.

There you go! Thanks for popping by!

I specialize in children & families, and if you need an updated session, I’d love to hear from you!

Contact me here!
Book a Session or Consultation on my Calendar – here!

Read more about me, my journey to RVP here!

xoxo
Kate