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

Hi Catie, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I always wanted to be my own boss and start my own business. Spending so much time in a corporate design firm, I was holding myself back from the opportunity to find out if I could make it. In 2020, I had the space and time to focus on my creative career, so I set a goal for the business and spoke my intentions out into the world. I reached that goal by the end of the year! Once I let my fear go, there was no doubt I wanted to go full time into photography and art!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am an editorial fashion photographer and mixed media artist. I love embracing movement and shadow in my photography and cutting, layering, and painting my original photos to create my art. My mixed media artwork sets me apart. One unique part of my photography is that I love to upcycle fashion to style my models! I love that it creates an intimacy and special touch for the shoot. I’m most excited about doing more work in LA and other cities across the U.S., covering fashion shows, and taking photos for magazines. My journey to my current artistic style started with art school, is influenced by my professional dance career, and has since followed my passion for women’s empowerment and fashion. It’s had its ups and downs, but the help and support of those around me and the courage to believe that I could helped me overcome any obstacle that came my way! I have learned to pivot, grow from feedback and watching others, and letting myself and my work evolve. I want the world to know that incorporating creativity into daily life make life so much better!

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?
Eat brunch at Elephante in Santa Monica, specifically the whipped eggplant
Hang out at the Santa Monica State Beach
See the Jean-Michel Basquiat: King Pleasure art exhibit
For dinner, eat the best lobster roll ever in Silver Lake
The 503 Downtown LA studio

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I owe the courage to try to my family and my fiancé. I wouldn’t be doing this without my parents’ support to move across the country for my career, and my fiancé’s help and encouragement in starting my business by coming to shoots and supporting my daily art.

Website: https://www.catiemenke.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catiemenke

Other: https://www.pinterest.com/catiemenke/

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