Ekaterini Katie Kay Koufalis - Respect the Shooter Interview
Where are you from?
Astoria , Queens NY.
How did you get into photography/videography?
My uncle peaked my interest when I was 5 in the village in Greece that my father was born in he had his camcorder and it had me so interested. I picked up disposable camera's after that it was history i always had to have a camera in my hand.
What was your first camera?
Polaroid digital camera, then i got the Nikon D5100.
What camera do you currently use?
Nikon z6II , Sony a7iii.
How did you learn your craft and advance your skills?
I took a class in college on photography and my professor said to me I didn't have a future in photography so i started teaching myself on my own and started taking pictures in the nightclubs / bars i used to work at and learn events eventually graduating to private events and concerts with bigger names.
Do you have any nicknames? How did you get that name?
Katie Kay was always a moniker of my name Ekaterini many people got it wrong and they thought I had the "mojo"and one day someone said Katie puts the kayyyy in anything she does because my last name starts with K.
If you could take photos of any 3 people that are alive today, who would they be?
Taraji P. Henson , Alicia Keys, Jason Mamoa.
If you could take photos of any 3 people that are no longer living, who would they be?
Prince, Betty White , DMX.
If you could take photos in any 3 cities what would they be?
Athens , Singapore , Ibiza.
What is your goal when you capture photos of someone?
To capture the emotion behind the subject.
What is your dream as an artist?
For someone to understand that art is more than a career it’s everything to me.
What music do you listen to when you edit photos?
Everything from punk to mainstream hip hop and R&B.
What is your dream as a photographer?
To be able to work major events and publications and using my skills to help businesses.
What is some advice you would give to someone with a dream to be a photographer/videographer?
I was told back in 2012 I didn't have what it takes, and made a makeshift studio in my mom living room and 12 years later I was a hometown hero because I shot Jadakiss live in Orlando. It might hurt to hear the words but as long as you keep using it as motivation.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katiekay_photographyxo/
Facebook.com: http://www.facebook.com/photosbykatiekay/
Photography credit: @muffinmanpictures
Website: http://www.katiekayphotography.com
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