Meet Kate Williams | model, actress, and artist

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

Hi Kate, what do you attribute your success to?
The most important factor behind the success of my brand is to always learn. I need to constantly educate myself on better ways to evoke emotion, pose, create or find the best lighting, know business aspects, and different artistry techniques such as set design, stying, makeup, hair, editing. I do such by watching instructional videos, reading books and magazines, and collaborating with other creatives.

Doing tests with other creatives can sometimes turn out terrible. Other times we discover something very unique, and learn a new skillset in the process. It’s a place to explore, with no judgement, and laugh when we mess up. Sometimes creating something unique involves 10 terrible takes, but one amazing sapphire occurs. These are the pieces that get into magazines, art galleries, win awards, or promote a meaningful cause. Such accolades are fun, build a brand, and attract paying commercial clients.

Art is dynamic, never static. What was popular 40 years ago, may now, particularly with advances in technology, be cliche. Such is why, even artists – of all kinds – need to constantly learn. I’ve met, photographers, for instance, who were famous decades years ago, but because of their fame, their ego convinced them they didn’t need to continue learning or updating their skills. Such photographers are now not so successful. I also know people who are older, but always learn, and they are still successful.

Of course, exploration needs to be tempered with paid work. However, many times, exploring with others has forged connections with other creatives that lead to paid work.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What sets me apart from others is that I work for many healthy and ethical brands. Even as a child, I wanted to promote causes and companies that were against pollution, violence, destruction of health, or mistreatment. It’s horrendous what many companies can get away with. Animal abuse, sweatshops, pollution, and health disrupting substances, come to mind.

However, my skillset was creative, so I honestly couldn’t figure out how to effectively better the world too. For years, I attempted, however the harder I tried, the worst the results were. I even have an incomplete, 100 page visual book I created, hiding under the bed somewhere. I didn’t finish it because it was contrivable.

Do to such struggles, I really wasn’t sure if I believed in the Law of Attraction. Turns out, I just didn’t know how it worked. My life seems to go better when I am patient, but trusting something will come. The cliche saying, patience is a virtue, really is true! Such allows one to allow situations to slowly, but increasingly, show up at the level they are meant to for one’s life.

For instance, I didn’t really try to start working for ethical, sustainable, fair trade, healthy companies. They found me. That’s the Law of Attraction in action. I honestly didn’t even really know what “sustainable” or “fair trade” meant until a few years ago. Once I learned, I subconsciously knew, that this IS and SHOULD BE the future.

And I’m still learning. A lot. ALWAYS.

And the reality is, I’m not walking around wearing 100% organic clothes or hair products 24/7. That’s hard to find, and I still like fashion, and looking a certain way. I try to do what’s morally and healthily the most doable.

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.
If my friend was in LA for a week, I would do some of the things my ex boyfriend and I did. I would take them to Tikkun Spa to try out the sauna and salt cave. If it was a girl, I might go to Beverly Hot Springs, which is a natural hotsprings mineral bath in central Koreatown.

I would definitely go to the hiking and outdoor spots in Malibu, Topanga, and the Palisades. I don’t like many yoga forms, but some kinds are really enjoyable, such as Kundalini. It’s a mystical experience that’s not very westernized at all – I think a lot of people should try it.

Also, I would take them to dinner at Moonshadows in Malibu, which is a fairly healthy option right on the water.

Also, the boat and kayak rentals in Marina del Rey Boat Rentals.

Of course, you can’t forget to rent bikes or rollerblades in Venice and Santa Monica.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Sej Saraiya is a photographer I collaborated and worked with professionally over the years. She is talented, encouraging, and has that friendly but assertive personality meant for creative success. https://www.sejalsaraiya.com/links

JJ Michaels is my friend, also from the South, who is always thinking of others. He’s a model and health coach, who has given me a lot of guidance over the past two years. https://www.instagram.com/j.j.michaels/

Oscar Zagal is a photographer, filmmaker, and director who I worked with as a model and on set. He gave me a lot of guidance. He has been doing this for a while, but is more vigilant about always updating his skillset than anyone I know. https://zagalphotostudio.photofolio.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katewilliams.here/

Image Credits
Zara Alina, Moevir, Vogue Italia, Shop Blue District, Meg Van Kampan, Megan Sistachs