Katie Postel Photography Blog

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My Photo Biz Journey So Far
  • Keep Showing Up

    Keep Showing Up

    There are days when I want to give up. I’m questioning everything. ‘What am I doing?’ ‘How will I make this happen?’ ‘Who would even want to book me as their photographer?’ ‘Am I wasting my time?’ ‘What do I know about running my own business?’ …The list goes on. The doubts and fears and questions are all very real.

    It’s so scary to put myself ‘out there,’ wondering if it will pay off. I worry that I might be making a mistake. That I don’t ‘know enough’ to be successful. But when I take a step back and visualize what I want my life to look like 5 years from now, being a photographer is in that image.

    Reminding myself of this keeps me going on the days when I’m ready to give up. I know that no one is coming to save me. Nobody can do this work for me. I am my own hero of my own journey. Even if it’s messy and scary with those doubts and fears and all of it-this is life. MY LIFE. I only get one, so why should I waste it wondering ‘what if?’

    So, here I am. Showing up. I’m showing up for future me. For present me. For me as a little girl. Because this is part of my story. This is part of my journey, and if I don’t believe in myself, then who the hell will?

    With love and determination,

    Katie

  • Finding Joy

    Finding Joy

    What Brings You Joy?

    My focus for this year is to be more joyful.

    When did adulthood/parenthood become a huge to-do list and a million responsibilities? It feels like all the things I need to get done take me out of the present moment and leave me feeling exhausted and ‘blah.’

    Well, I’m taking my joy back. Since having my 2 boys, I feel like I’ve lost some of my identity. I used to pride myself on being a runner, a lacrosse player, a surfer, a hiker, your run of the mill adventure seeker. Somewhere in the nooks and crannies of motherhood I’ve lost my luster and zest for life. I also rarely get to do any of those things anymore. (Granted I don’t want to run, so there is that).

    Every once in a while, my oldest (3-year-old) does something fun/funny and I’ll say to him, “you know, Mommy used to be fun and cool.” (which fun and cool people probably don’t say) …but I think back to my childhood more these days and remember wanting to be a mom that would run and skip and jump in the mud with my kids.

    Like…what’s the point of having kids if you can’t be a kid again along with them? What is it all for if I am just a boring, no-fun parent who needs to do the dishes and laundry and clean and never has time to enjoy the moment with my boys?

    So, this week I had a thought. Since I seldom make time for myself (and myself alone), I’m going to do AT LEAST one thing a day that brings me joy. It doesn’t have to be a big deal. Just something small, maybe a 5-minute thing that puts a smile on my face or makes me feel at ease or allows me to reset and chill out.

    I’m aiming to do this for a week. If I can go longer, then I will. I want to be a fun mom and wife and friend. Who says being a grown up should be no fun? I feel like I’ve fallen into this pattern where I don’t get to fully enjoy certain moments with my family and I want that to change.

    I’m here, writing down that I want to be ‘fun Katie’ again. Being silly with my kids, not caring what other people might think, stepping outside of my comfort zone and being joyful.

    If I can fill up my cup, imagine the spill over into the rest of the world.

    With love,

    Katie

  • Manifesting my 2026

    Manifesting my 2026

    Manifesting my 2026. 

    I’ve been manifesting. Like a lot. And I don’t know, but I do feel like it’s getting me somewhere. Maybe not in the speedy way one might hope, but more in the ‘things will happen when the time is right’ kind of way.

    I’ve been into energy work since I was a little kid. I distinctly remember wanting to learn all I could from my older sister as she was going through massage school. When she’d practice with my parents she would show me techniques and let me help. Since then, I’ve been fascinated by energy and drawn toward this type of work. 

    I’m into yoga, breathwork and meditation. All these tools I have in my back pocket that one would think would make me a chill, zen-type of Mom. Truth be told, I’m just as uptight as many other people, and that’s ok. Every day is practice and a challenge and I’m trying to welcome these challenges instead of resist them.

    I’m trying to respond before I react. I’m trying to use my breath to take a beat before snapping at my husband or my 3-year-old or even my dog. And it’s freakin’ hard. 

    I’m currently 4 months postpartum and I have big dreams for my future with my family. I see myself as a successful photographer, traveling when we want to travel. Having financial freedom. Living a simple, humble life on our own terms. Indulging to our hearts’ content when the situation calls for it but also appreciating the simplicities of life.

    So even though I’m in a time in my life where things feel a bit rocky- (I’m tired, I’m moody, I’m hungry, I need a break but wait no I can’t take a break…etc.) I need to stay in the moment. The small moments: watching my 3 year old get better at riding his bike, splash in puddles with him even if it makes a mess, laugh more, cry when I need to cry and then move forward, breathe in the scent of our new baby boy, embrace the messes and the slow, mundane and ordinary moments of being a new Mom for the second time. 

    Just be me. I manifested this life, this family, this version of myself and I’ll be damned if I don’t make it count. The rest will come in divine timing, I’m sure of it. 

    With love,

    Katie

  • Slow Progress is Still Progress

    Slow Progress is Still Progress

    As I sit and reflect on my week as my husband and kids sleep (and snore) next to me, I feel a sense of accomplishment and pride.

    I didn’t complete ALL my goals, but I did make moves in a forward direction. So, I’m going to celebrate that! Being a mom of two little ones and freshly postpartum I feel like any small win is a big win. Sometimes just getting out of bed, taking a shower and wearing ‘normal’ clothes is a win. (I did all those things today by the way).

    This week I challenged myself to:

    1. Set a date to photograph 1 family (I’m doing this tomorrow)!
    2. Upgrade my website to a .com…which I’ve ALMOST completed… I purchased the URL but now I’m trying to figure out how to transfer it. Like why am I so NOT tech savvy?
    3. Make and order business cards. (These are designed and ready but waiting for the .com situation to be resolved).
    4. Write another blog. (This is it)!
    5. Post as much as I can.

    I’m doing my due diligence but a lot of goals are like a snowball effect where one thing can only happen if the other thing comes first. So, it feels like baby steps. Honestly, that’s ok right now.

    I’m learning a lot of these ‘skills’ for the first time and it’s hard. Especially with a 4-month-old needing me constantly. If he doesn’t need me then my 3-year-old does. If he doesn’t need me then food needs to get made, dishes need to be washed, I need to take a shower, and why do I always have to pee?

    Anyways, I hope you can celebrate your progress toward your goals along with me. Any step forward is a win and an accomplishment. I’m getting one step closer toward my goals, and I hope I can inspire you to do the same.

    It’s not always easy, but if it were, then everyone would be doing it.

  • How to Start a Photography Business in Hawaii

    How to Start a Photography Business in Hawaii

    Do people still write blogs in 2026? I don’t know. But here I am at least a decade late on this trend, trying to start a photography business and reading about how writing a blog might help me gain some momentum.

    It can’t hurt…in the very least I get to create a little journal for myself to reflect on when my photography business takes off.

    So, in this first post I wanted to let you all know what to do/what I’ve done so far to start on my new business venture to become a professional photographer in Hawaii.

    Step 1. Be a dreamer.

    Forever I’ve tried to conjure up what my ‘dream job’ would be and I’ve never known the answer. I always had an entrepreneurial spirit, but doubted myself or chose the wrong thing, thus ‘failing’ at the following:

    -Dog walking business

    -Jewelry making business

    -Baby onesie/kid t shirt tie-dye & printing business

    -Teaching yoga (I still do this)

    …but after the birth of my second son I knew I could literally DO ANYTHING. I meditated and found inspiration and in a conversation with my sister about her family photos in the fall I had a lightbulb moment.

    ‘I could do that’! Then I mulled it over and started saying “I can do that!” That phrase became ‘I will do that’ and here I am- doing it. You can too, by the way.

    Step 2. Get the gear.

     This part was harder for me. I’m not the best researcher, especially when I get excited about something. I usually just get what is most affordable- or even cheap- and try to make it happen.

    This time felt different though. I asked a few of my photographer friends for advice and recommendations within a tight budget and they came through with some great ideas. Mainly that I needed a full frame mirrorless camera (Sony/nikon/canon) and a versatile lens.

    I went with a 24-70mm lens and a Sony A7c camera body. I was told this is a great starting point for doing family photo shoots.

    I also purchased a tripod, memory cards, a camera bag and had a MacBook Air (but the screen just cracked so I’m using my phone and my husband’s laptop for now).

    Those seem to be the ‘basics’.

    Step 3. Pick out editing software.

    I purchased a year with Lightroom. It’s user friendly and there’s so much info online about how to use it. I’m loving it so far and feel like I can find my style easily within the program.

    It also allows you to create albums, so I’ve been doing that with my clients and sending their galleries through Lightroom for now.

    Step 4. Create an LLC.

    This cost $50 for the state of Hawaii. I just used ChatGPT and found the right site to sign up. Super easy.

    Step 5. Create an email. Through Gmail.

    Step 6. Create social media accounts.

    Instagram is all I have so far. I don’t want to get addicted to TikTok so I don’t have that. I’m thinking I’ll create a Facebook page though – that way I can follow community pages and hopefully new clients can find me there.

    Step 7. Create a website.

    Just an easy landing page for people to check out mostly portfolio – I’m thinking I’ll add my pricing and offerings on there too. I literally made my website today so it’s barebones. But I used ‘Carrd.co’ which is free but cost $19 for a basic plan for the year.

    Step 8. Get out there and take photos!

     I’ve done quite a few photo shoots now with friends and family so I’m gaining confidence in my camera and posing skills. I’m also getting lots of practice editing. I’m building my portfolio and letting the world know that ‘I’m a photographer’ which sounds imposter syndrome-y to me but screw it, I AM ONE NOW.

    So this is what I’ve done so far. And now add ‘blogging’ to this list!

    Nothing is perfect yet, but starting is the hardest part, and I’m stoked to not only be on this journey, but to share it and be vulnerable as well.

    I want to lead by example and let you know that if I can do this, you can too. Maybe your dream isn’t photography, but you are worthy of achieving whatever the heck makes your sweet soul sing. Let’s go for our goals together and make 2026 a year to be proud of.

    I Love you my fellow dreamers,

    Katie