When Kate reached out to us and said she is in the middle of a rebrand and needed images to update her portfolio capturing who she is as an artist and documenting her work, we gladly agreed! Kate is an incredible florist located near Philadelphia, PA. Her eye and work is impeccable and it was a joy to collaborate with her. Coming alongside Kate’s vision, Grace styled and directed the photo session. The project began with a brainstorming meeting and mood board. Our goal was to capture the essence of who Kate is as an individual, showcase her work, and clearly represent her unique brand.

Our lifestyle/branding photography is perfect for all creators, artists, and brands that want to update portfolios, create brand recognition, and share with the world a bit of who they are. From styled shoots to website content, to promotional images, our goal is to help you connect to your market in a organic and life styled way. Aligning with our loved our Master of Their Craft features, we are passionate about partnering with artists and creative entrepreneurs. For more details on these photo sessions, email Kathleen at info@char-co.com.

Kate is amazing…keep reading to hear more about the heart of her business from her perspective. So, so good. Be sure to check out her website and instagram. If you are a bride, Kate is a top notch florist we highly recommend. This photo session was done at Kate’s home. Her home is beautiful…next to a rushing creek with deer in the backyard. You will even see her daughter showing up in a few on the images. Enjoy the images and the story of her and her craft.

Describe your style and creative vision for your work?

I love floral design so, so much for the impermanence of the materials available and it’s ephemeral beauty that forces us to relish in a moment that is ever so fleeting. It’s a beautiful reminder of how to live life. My goal as a designer is to ultimately draw in the viewer to have a moment with the florals to stop the rush of life for a minute to relish in its beauty. I do it often, I stop to let my heart flutter over a perfect ranunculus, with seemingly never ending layers perfectly unfurling from the center, or to inhale the heavenly scent of bunch of lily of the valley.   I strive to showcase the florals in a way that allows them to speak for themselves with an air of effortlessness, sophistication, elegance but yet with a touch of whimsy and edginess. Color is also a very important role in designing. Knowing my color palettes and knowing what works together is a crucial aspect to having a successful piece of art.

Who is your ideal client?

Our ideal clients are looking for a style that’s on point for the time and place the event is occurring. They don’t want something that is too modern or futuristic, nor too traditional or stuffy. Our ideal client is much like the ones we end up working with, effortlessly cool, great communicators, open to ideas and they want to have fun in the design process with us! Ultimately our clients are looking to us to design an environment with the florals that speaks to who they are as a couple to celebrate their love.

What does a typical day of work look life for  you?

Every day is different which is one of the many reasons I love what I do! One day could be a full day spent creating proposals, managing the books, developing mood boards, meetings with the accountant, placing orders for materials and flowers, talking to prospective clients on the phone or taking meetings. On the week of a wedding, we’re found cleaning EVERYTHING, prepping vases, counting candlesticks, conditioning flowers, creating beautiful floral pieces, orchestrating a wonderful team to create a beautiful workflow to get things done in a FUN way and checking our list twice…or thrice!

What made you decide to become a florist?

My love of flowers stems deep. (Pun intended.) When I was 7 years old, my Mom let me help her in the garden. She gave me two spaces to work in and let me pick the flowers I wanted to grow and I selected nasturtiums and wild columbines. When they grew, it was like magic was happening before my eyes. I remember sitting among the flowers, staring at a wild columbine wondering how something so beautiful could grow. My godmother was a florist and a landscape architect. I grew up going to see her installations at the Philadelphia Flower Show and I always thought it was something so incredibly magical. (I still feel that way.)  When I went to college, I took up fashion design, but after six wonderful years of doing so, I decided to start a family and my career path was something I wanted to change. I started playing with flowers one day and never stopped. After becoming utterly obsessed with florals for my own wedding, that’s what propelled me to take it to the next level.

What do you love the most about your business?

I love that I get to work with flowers all the time. I love that I get to show my daughter what it means to have a work ethic and hopefully be a role model to her. I love that I am taught lessons on life, from humility to success, on a daily basis. I try to partake in classes and workshops often to constantly expand my horizons because the day I stop learning is the day I stop living. I’m growing every day as a floral designer and more importantly, as a human being, which is what makes life so grand.