Meet Kate Gwin | Haint Blue Collective Owner and Principal Photographer

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

Hi Kate, we’d love for you to start things off by telling us something about your industry that we and others not in the industry might be unaware of?
The wedding industry is an unusual one – there are so many different companies with different specialties coming together on a wedding day with guests, wedding parties and entire families; however, it can be very lonely at times! Even though you have all of these connections and people you’re working alongside, for the majority of the time, you’re on your own (kid)!

My company is run solo – I am the founder, marketing team, bookkeeper, scheduler, social media strategist, equipment manager, editing staff, administrative assistant, product manager, website developer and sales team! Not to mention actually taking the photographs, themselves.

I have been lucky enough to find some of my best friends through this industry and company. We support one another in big ways because, we have to – we know the demands of the job! We step in for each other when sickness occurs – because, let’s face it, with pregnancies, small children and life, this is just going to happen.

The competitive nature that drives most businesses, doesn’t operate the same in the wedding industry. We encourage the growth of companies around us because we want to see them succeed. And if we’re unavailable to take a position, I want the clients that reached out to me to be able to have the best person stepping in for them, and that often comes in the form of my friends I know best. I know their work ethic, how much they care for their clients during every step of the process and the beautiful collection of photos they will have at the end of it.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have always had the desire to create, leading me to earning a bachelor visual arts degree at Auburn University. After this I worked several jobs while working toward my Master’s degree in Art Education. This gave me the certification I needed to teach high school for five years – photography, advanced photography, AP art history, studio art and ceramics.

During those years as a high school teacher, I began to find my love for photography and creating more and more. My husband, Sam, ultimately told me something I will never forget:
“If you don’t do it now, you never will.”

And just like that, Haint Blue Collective became my full time job.

I am reminded at each wedding that what I photograph truly matters. The best part for me is being present in the moment with the couple, family and friends, documenting both the grand and intimate moments throughout the day. My desire is to model and lead a team internally in the moment with clients so that we can take photographs infused with purpose. This signature experience that ensures that your vision won’t simply be understood, it will be illustrated with intention and an infusion of fine art details.

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.
Being from Auburn and traveling to Atlanta for weddings and events, it doesn’t give me a lot of time to visit and see the sights, but when I am there, I am sure to eat at Superica – of course with the O. G. margarita or El Frio!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would love to take this opportunity to shout out my friend, Sara Stephens, owner of Unorthodox Floral and Film. I was fortunate enough to get to know Sara as a bride in 2021 and since then we have crossed paths in so many ways. As a bride, Sara was the dream – she was calm, decisive, creative and kind. And now as a vendor, she is all of those things to each and every person she meets, serves and lifts up.

Sara is the most supportive person – she will cheer you on each and every time, referring you to clients, booking sessions and having a critical role in social media. This last one may seem a little odd, but anyone who owns a creative business or is in the wedding industry understands this role – that interaction is crucial and key to marketing.

Sara is the hardest worker, and if anyone could see the behind the scenes of everything she does, it would astonish you. She is truly an amazing florist, photographer, vendor, wife and friend who deserves all the love.

Instagram @unorthodoxfloralandfilm

Website: https://www.haintbluecollective.com

Instagram: @haintbluecollective

Other: https://bio.site/kategwin

https://shopmy.us/kategwin

Image Credits
Haint Blue Collective