Photographer extraordinaire. Passionate foodie. Dog lover. Kate Parker is one of those gorgeous women whom you are immediately endeared with, who shines her creative and artistic light onto everything she points her camera towards, and creates unique, spectacular and lasting memories from every moment for you to treasure. Kate’s sensitivity, willingness to be a part of the lives and loves of everyone she encounters and general sweetness makes her a integral person to share all your most vulnerable and hopeful moments with. You can see some of her images shared throughout this interview here today, or find her at pondering at the beauty of life at Quince & Mulberry Studios as well as sharing her loves on Twitter and Facebook.
If you parents / teacher / god / whoever holds your sense of personal propriety in check
was GONE (poof!) and there was no one to upset, offend or disappoint…..who would
you become?
I am pretty certain I am about two years on from asking myself that question. When I asked myself this a few years ago, there was a pretty big light bulb moment. Since then, I have decided I am all in, and every day since then I have been taking steps toward building my dreams. Making sure I spend the time to listen to what I need.
Describe what you do to earn money.
I am a photographer, I run a stylish and soulful studio dedicated to photography. I have the honour of photographing many different people, weddings, families, new borns, and businesses. It is my passion to capture, that non-descript moment, where the ‘real’ unguarded moment emerges and without words the relationship is ever so preciously apparent, and exposed to the lens.
What is the best business and or life advice you have ever learnt?
I love little quotes! Here are a few of my faves:
“We lose ourselves in the things we love. We find ourselves there, too” | Kristen Martz
“Good things come to those wait. Good things come to those who work their assess off and never give up.” | ANON
What’s your biggest fear? How do you overcome it?
My biggest fear is not being good enough, and talking myself down. I’m a work in progress when it comes to overcoming it. 2012 was a year of developing trust in myself and my business and a year filled with love. I learnt to stay focused on the present moments, not to worry about the things that are or are not happening, as it is only a distraction. I learnt it is about ‘showing up’, every day.
“It’s about applying the same philosophy to ‘life’ as I do my photo-shoots; it’s about seeing and celebrating the beauty; pausing to reflect; spending time with those that make your life whole; pushing myself and trying new things; having patience, because everything does work, just perfectly.”
Relaxation is….
Hand developing film + shopping for vintage wears + going to markets + waiting for the cake timer to sound as the room fills with delicious smells + laughing with friends and family + cuddles + exercising till you get that buzz.
What are you freakishly good at?
Being patient and listening.
What do you geek out about?
Vintage cameras + films.
Creativity in your life is….
My photography + cooking and presenting food to others + desiging albums + story telling.
What do you want to be known for?
Creating memories + being inspirational + fun + giving.
What do you value in your partner?
Honesty + support + friendship + laughter + someone who challenges me + someone who is able to lighten me up + drag me away from being serious
Describe your relationship with money…
My relationship with money hasn’t always been the best, after working with Vienda I noticed I had a lot of pattering around creating ‘lack’ I have done a quite a few exercises working on strengthing this realtionship, and I feel like it is improving. But there are still days that I default to the ol’style thinking, but it is just a matter of being patient with myself.
If you had a year to yourself with a ridiculous amount of money, how would you spend it? The time? And the money?
I would travel + I would buy the cameras I have always wanted + I would buy a house and set up a proper darkroom + I would adopt a bucket load of animals.
Describe the last time you remember feeling happy…
I am a pretty positive person, so I am often bubbly. But over the past week I have been celebrating my second business birthday and I treated myself to a new logo. There has been a lot of work around the launch of the new logo, and there is still a lot more to go. But I can honestly say I am loving it. The overall feel of the logo just fills me with excitement and buzz.
What is your BIG DREAM? (Don’t be afraid to dream a little bigger darling!)
My big dream is to be working full time in my own studio, with plenty of time for balancing, friends, family and travel. And to also have a little cafe attached, where I could serve a small seasonal menu. I want to live a simple, self sustaining life, in my own home, near both the forrest and the sea.
What is your greatest regret?
I have no regrets, everything I have done, the people I have met along the way have all been for a reason and there is no way that I would change that for a second.
Tell me 5 things that no one else knows about you.
1. I love organising the kitchen cupboard. If I can put everything open in jars, it is even better.
2. I have a nack for names and faces.
3. I am a hoarder, but then every couple of years I go on a mad clean out/donation frenzy.
4. I love learning about food and nutrition, and cooking for others.
5. I ‘m tall, 6″2 and have been this height since high school, needless to say I still dont like pant shopping.
What is your primary spiritual practice?
This is a little bit of a mixed bag, I don’t really have had stead fast rules about this, I believe in a little bit of universal magic, I believe in following your intuition and heart.
