Meet Kate Kohut, a photographer and mother of two who recently opened a studio called KKPhoto Stories in downtown New Canaan. Specializing in Fine Art photography, she schedules photo shoots for families and kids, in addition to doing portraits and fashion projects. Kate and her family now reside in Norwalk, but they still love “visit the Carriage Barn and Powerhouse Theatre as often as we can.” Read more about Kate and find out who inspired her to become a photographer.
How many kids do you have and what are their ages?
I have 2 kids—a 14-year-old girl and a 6-year-old-boy.
When did you move to New Canaan and what are your favorite family activities there?
Both of my kids went to a pre-school in New Canaan. Though we reside now in Norwalk, we used to live and do activities in New Canaan. We enjoy going to Waveny and Mead Memorial parks. The scenery of those parks is often in the background of my pictures. One of my photographs was selected for the exhibit in Carriage Barn Art Center this year. In general, we love to visit the Carriage Barn and the Powerhouse Theatre as often as we can. My daughter went to the New Canaan YMCA for gymnastics, and we both also enjoyed doing mommy and me yoga there. Of course, we also enjoy the Holiday Stroll on Elm Street in December and Gofer Ice Cream on Main Street any time of the year.
How did you get involved in photography?
When I was a teenager, one very special person, my grandfather, showed me how to develop the film and make photographs in the dark room. It was pure magic for me. Since then, I learned how to use a film camera and mixed all components myself for the picture development and production. Then I had a very long period when other things became priorities, but several years back when I found myself in the situation of choosing my way, I decided to listen to my heart and allow myself to do what I really love and enjoy doing. I picked up a digital camera and studied more of light techniques and composition, color studies and fashion styling, editing and post-production. By practicing all of that, I naturally came to my today style of photography.
Tell us about your new studio in downtown New Canaan…
My studio is located in the heart of New Canaan, 112 Main St. on the second floor. It has everything I need to shoot Portraits, Families, Fashion and Kids. It has very high ceilings and huge windows that offer daylight, so it’s beautiful for portrait and kids’ photography. When needed, I can also use my professional equipment, light strobes, LED lights, reflectors—whatever it takes to produce beautiful pictures. The studio has two rooms, one of them is more of a greeting room. I also keep my multiple props and clothes there; it’s very cozy where a client can relax before the shoot, change, fix hair and makeup. The other bigger room is a working studio where the magic happens.
What type of photography do you do?
Fine Art Photography. To the eye they look a bit like paintings, to heart they look special because I always try to include something unique and creative. I work with children by celebrating milestones, doing portraits and fun scenes and stories; adults by doing creative portraits, mommy and me sessions, maternity, fashion, celebrating women of all ages; and couples by doing love story shoots.
Favorite part about your job?
Meeting people and having an opportunity to tell their stories through my photography. And the ability to express my creativity.
Top band, TV show, book…
Evanescence and Nickelback
Desperate Housewives and Scandal
The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks and Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
What’s the best advice you’ve gotten from another mom?
To accept that kids will grow up not necessarily by the scenario you wished for them. They are their own individuals and the best a mom can do for her kids is to teach them to be independent and love themselves.
Do you have any go-to ways to relax and get a little “me time?”
Yoga, massage, listen to audio books while taking a walk.
Any upcoming events you want our followers to know about?
For the upcoming winter holidays, I offer regular sessions: individual, couples and families. But for kids only, this year I offer a creative photoshoot so the families get a holiday looking pictures they will be happy to use for the holidays/Christmas cards or just for their home collection. For only $250, they can get a shoot in my New Canaan studio, 1 digital file with a portrait, and 1 digital file with a unique holiday card image, where their children are the main characters.
To contact Kate or to view the style and details for the photo shoots, visit her Instagram or Facebook accounts:
www.instagram.com/kkphotostories
https://www.facebook.com/kkphotostory
We like to support local businesses. What are your favorite places in the area to do the following?
Have dinner:
Spiga
Farmer’s Table
Grab a drink with friends:
Uncorked
Have a date night:
Cava
Spend time together as a family outdoors:
Mead Memorial Park
Grab coffee:
Dolce
Workout:
YMCA