05/09/2026
🎉 15 YEARS OF KATHRYN FELL PHOTOGRAPHY! 🎉
Grab a cuppa and take a seat.....
Fifteen years ago, I walked away from a well-paid job and a regular monthly salary to start my own photography business.
My first professional job was to capture my very good friends, very small wedding, and what a privilege it was too! x
Was it brave, exciting or slightly bonkers? Probably a mixture of all three.
During this time there has been a marriage, two wonderful boys, tens of thousands of miles travelled, hundreds and hundreds of weddings, family portraits, events, food shoots and brand sessions…and rather a lot of late nights spent editing when sensible people were asleep.
My work has also taken me into teaching, including at Reading College, and I’ve delivered hundreds of photography and smartphone workshops, helping other people feel more confident behind their cameras.
There have been mistakes, lessons, laughter, tears and difficult times. There was also a global pandemic, but let’s not talk about that…twitch. 😬
The saying goes, “Choose a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.”
Lovely sentiment. Not entirely true. 😂
Running a business means getting up, showing up and keeping going, even on the difficult days. It means investing in equipment, training, software, laptops, coaching and mentoring. It also means dealing with many different personalities and occasionally chasing an invoice that appears to have taken itself on an extended holiday.
But I have never looked back.
The painfully shy lass from Buckinghamshire, who once found it almost impossible to put herself forward, has photographed the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall, Prince Harry (PB, PM: pre-beard, pre-Meghan!), a serving Prime Minister, countless wonderful celebrations and some extraordinary people.
I’ve been nominated for a Sue Ryder Women of Achievement Award, become a bestselling co-author, had my photography published in a cookery book and, this year, been shortlisted in two categories of the World Food Photography Awards.
They say it takes ten years to become an overnight success. I’m now five years beyond that, so presumably it could happen at any moment! 😂
The truth is, very little in business happens overnight. It is built through years of consistency, relationships, learning, adapting, putting yourself out there and repeatedly stepping beyond your comfort zone.
One thing has remained throughout all 15 years: my logo. It was created by my dear friend Lynne, who passed away a few months ago and is so very sorely missed. I feel incredibly proud that something she designed at the beginning of this adventure is still standing strong today, just as her friendship and encouragement remain part of its story.
I also couldn’t have done any of this without my husband, who has always been behind me, listened patiently while I’ve banged on about work and supported me through every twist and turn. Thank you for believing in me, even when I’ve been stressed, exhausted or talking about photography for the hundredth time that day.
And thank you to my family and close friends, for their love, patience and encouragement, and for putting up with the unpredictable hours, the full diary and the inevitable piles of photography equipment.
As I get older, I’m also increasingly grateful to TRX classes and CrossFit for keeping me strong enough to lug my three-stone kit bag around. And, of course, to WD-40 for helping with the creaking joints! 😂
My lessons from 15 years?
Know your numbers. Set goals. Make a plan. Invest to grow. Build your circle. Go networking. Give back. Be consistent. Have good terms and conditions. Don’t feel awkward chasing late payments. Learn from your mistakes, celebrate your wins and, most importantly, have fun. Life is far too short.
Community means everything to me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to every client, student, friend, supplier, colleague and supporter who has booked me, recommended me, encouraged me, become a friend or picked me up during some very difficult personal times.
I’m still here. Still learning. Still laughing. Still teaching. Still taking photographs.
If you have a dream, please follow it, it is never too late!
And today, I’m allowing myself to say it: I’m feeling a little bit proud. 🩷 and to the teacher who said, I see nothing in Kathryn's work to suggest she will be a creative... well... say no more!!!!!
P.S. Today’s self-portraits were taken with a tripod and the assistance of my youngest, whose responsibilities included pressing the button and making me laugh. Reggie the cat appointed himself Creative Director. Naturally.
Here’s to the next chapter…and perhaps a small glass of something fizzy. 🥂📸
If you have read this far.... (bravo and thank you) xx
