Through the lens of KTShieldsPhotos

Every photo is a story waiting to be told. For Katie Shields, owner of KTShieldsPhotos, her story began with her mother constantly carrying a camera. Going from saying, “Mom, put your camera away,” to “book with me” wasn’t in the plans for Shields. However, her first photography class in high school led her to become the go-to photographer for graduation pictures at Kent State University and eventually a business owner.

“I’m an LLC now, so I’m a real business — that happened a couple of months ago,” Shields said.

While capturing moments, Shields graduated from Kent State in 2023 with a degree in advertising and a minor in photography. Once she realized how much she loved what she was doing, she pursued photography full-time. Her knowledge of advertising helps her manage the business on her own.

“My advertising degree helped with the analytics, the website, and marketing. It helps a lot with doing this all by myself,” Shields said.

Beyond the lens, Shields arrived at Kent with business cards and a camera, and she hasn’t stopped since. Her main priority was branding herself as a photographer, which led her to bring her camera to bars and take photos of her friends. This then led her to work with the Kent State football team and Water Street Tavern.

Like any journey, there were challenges along the way. From navigating the creation of an LLC to being recognized as a professional, Shields stayed focused on her success.

“I just signed up to take photos — I didn’t mean to be a businesswoman or anything,” Shields said.

Her favorite photo shoot to date was at a small airport in Tampa, Florida, where she captured a couples session on the runway. The groom was a pilot, adding a unique twist to the shoot. She has also recently ventured into wedding photography, shooting a wedding for two Kent State graduates, which has opened more doors in the wedding and engagement photography space.

From the bars of Kent to the skies over Tampa, Shields captures life’s in-between moments — and now, she’s the one always carrying the camera.

Contact Katie Shields at ktshieldsphotos.com.