Meet Kait McKay | Photographer & PR Consultant

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

Hi Kait, what makes you happy? Why?
The people in my life make me happy. Personally and professionally, the relationships I have with my family, friends and clients of my photography business make me happy. During an unprecedented time when many of us were forced to halt our lives, an aspect that never halted was the relationships I cherish with so many. I have a photography business and while it was put on an unexpected hold, once it was safely appropriate to work again (with new protocols such as social distancing and wearing masks) the relationships I developed and fostered with clients over the years allowed me to pick right back up and continue my beloved work. For that, I am grateful. It makes me happy to know that I have provided a value to them in documenting fleeting time for families, helped individuals put their best foot forward with portraits and captured special event memories that my clients can look back on and cherish forever. Personally, my relationships bring deep happiness especially with my husband who makes me happy everyday with his love, care and concern (not just for me but for so many others including our daughter and his patients he cares for as an RN). My husband and I welcomed our first child this year and while it was a scary and uncertain time to go through a pregnancy and bring a newborn into the world, we had the support, love and prayers of our family and friends we have strong relationships with and it meant so much. In fact, some of those friends have been in my life since we were in preschool and grade school together. I do not take that lightly. It makes me so happy to know these are “my people” for life. We’ve walked through so many chapters together. I would do anything for them as they would for me. While many things bring me happiness, from traveling abroad to business success, the day-to-day moments with “my people” are my focus and my true path to “happy.” My daughter’s smile makes me happy. My husband coming home from work makes me happy. Waking up each day with them under our roof healthy and safe makes me happy. My husband has had many experiences with patients at the end of their lives and they have shared with him what matters most to them. It wasn’t the money they earned or the fancy possessions they had acquired. It was the people. That sentiment speaks volumes to me. I am immensely grateful for all the wonderful people and relationships in my life. They bring me a sense of comfort, joy, peace and so much more. To my people, if you’re reading this…thank you. You are my happy.

What should our readers know about your business?
My business, Kait McKay Photography, specializes in event photography and portraits for businesses, nonprofits and individuals. I offer family photography services as well. With my public relations background, I have a strategic eye for capturing imagery for media use and I even provide media relations and public relations services to select photography clients. I often assist clients in capturing imagery to tell their stories for marketing and branding purposes, too. It is exciting to me in that we are all so unique and that I have the immense pleasure to tell personalized, authentic stories for so many different groups.

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?
I would take visitors to many different spots and definitely near the ocean. For eats, we would go for fresh donuts at Sidecar in Costa Mesa one morning, have brunch one day at Plums Cafe in Costa Mesa, grab sandwiches from Sessions in Newport and have lunch near The Wedge and enjoy dinner at A Restaurant in Newport for something special. I’d also suggest french martinis at La Cave in Costa Mesa. Yum! A few favorite seaside activities would include a bike ride along the boardwalk in Newport and HB with stops for drinks and bites along the way and a glorious beach day ending with a bonfire on the sand. I also love taking guests to Bay Back in Newport for a stroll along the trails. I’d suggest a staycation night at the Surf And Sand Resort in Laguna, too. The sounds of waves crashing in your room and the ocean views from the personal patios are hard to beat. Plus, their restaurant, Splashes, is fantastic. I also love taking guests on whale watches and hopping over to Catalina for a day on the Flyer out of Newport.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My family and friends have always supported me and I am grateful to them for that! They encouraged me to start my photography business which has been so deeply fulfilling. I am also grateful to my clients. Most of my business is return clients and referrals and I deeply appreciate their continued support and for entrusting me with their photo needs. And, with a lack of safe childcare during these uncertain and scary times, I’d love to share a special shoutout of thanks and gratitude to my wonderful husband for providing exceptional care for our baby on his days off from his work as an RN so that I can continue my work with my photo clients.

Website: www.kaitmckayphotography.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaitmckayphotography/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kait-mckay-52515525
Facebook: facebook.com/kaitmckayphotography
Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/kait-mckay-photography-costa-mesa