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

Hi Kate, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
To be completely honest, I don’t think I really chose an artistic career as much as it chose me.

I’ve worked in tech for most of my professional life, and as that industry has faced a lot of instability in recent years, it’s pushed me to think more seriously about the creative work I’ve always loved. No matter what was happening in my life, I always found myself coming back to photography, fashion (especially as a model), visual storytelling, and creative direction.

They’re the things that keep me curious. I’ll stay up late thinking about concepts, images, and new ways to bring an idea to life. I love the problem-solving side of creativity just as much as the artistic side.

For a long time, I treated those interests as something separate from my career. Eventually, I realized they were the projects that energized me most and the work I naturally gravitated toward.

In many ways, pursuing a more artistic path feels less like reinventing myself and more like returning to something that has always been there.

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.
My path into my creative endeavors hasn’t really been all that linear. I’ve spent most of my career working full-time at large tech companies, while pursuing creative interests alongside it. Along the way, I faced a number of health challenges that forced me to put some of my creative ambitions on hold, and like many people in tech, I experienced firsthand how quickly a career that seems stable can change.

Through all of it, creativity remained the constant. Modeling gave me an opportunity to collaborate with other artists and bring ideas to life, while photography became a way to slow down, pay attention, and see the world differently. What I love most about both is the process of taking something that exists only in imagination and turning it into something real.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that there is never a perfect time to pursue the things that matter to you. The interests and passions that keep calling you back are usually the ones worth paying attention to. For me, visual creativity has always been one of those things.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh I love this question! Having lived in LA for many years now, I’ve refined my taste a bit. I would definitely be sure to take them on a little road trip to some of my favorite beaches and maybe even a hike in Malibu first, then likely to the Getty Villa to soak up some history.

During the week I would love to take them to Butchers Daughters for their scrumptious vegan brunch and of course we’d have to hit Penmar on Friday and then round out the week at Gran Blanco, my favorite bar in Venice (shoutout to Frankie, the owner, who runs a great spot!).

Along the way, I’d love to take them around the canals and share a bit about the wonderful history of Venice and why Abbott Kinney is named such– I’m a bit of a history buff and there is so much rich history hiding in plain sight there. What can I say– I’m definitely a west side girl!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Oddly enough, I’d probably dedicate my shoutout to the endometriosis community.

Living with a chronic illness has shaped my life in ways I never expected. It definitely forced me to slow down (which was hard at first!), reevaluate my priorities, and become much more intentional about how I spend my time and energy.

But it also introduced me to an incredible community of women who advocate for themselves and others despite facing enormous challenges that are often misunderstood or overlooked.

If I had to name an organization, I’d love to give a shoutout to the Endometriosis Foundation of America for the work they do to raise awareness and improve education around the disease.

As weird as it sounds, some of the biggest curveballs in my life have ultimately pushed me closer to the creative path I’m pursuing today.

Website: https://www.katewhitecreative.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kittyblanco_?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleenmwhite?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios

Image Credits
All images by me (including self portraits)

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