Kate Spitz Photography

If you bring me a kiddo in overalls and your vintage Christmas dress, I’m gonna melt into a photographer sized puddle of happiness🥹

Thea and her parents are the happiest bunch. It’s like literal sunshine working with them! 🫶 , y’all are the best!

Swipe to see what I mean!

“So what do you do when you’re not working?”

“Oh! Um. I don’t really know…? Catch up on working?”

I remember that conversation v e r y clearly one day about three years ago. Coming off of an awfully busy season of work and traveling for work, one of my dear friends asked me that question while we were chatting.

The weather had shifted considerably, and one of my outdoor sessions had rescheduled. Typically when that happened, I would use the day to catch up or try to get ahead instead of taking a breather.

During that time of life, life felt so chaotic. It wasn’t the client load. The work. It was me. My life.

I struggled to find hobbies outside of office hours that gave me the same type of purpose work gave me.

And it showed.

I felt like I had all of this pent up energy to do things, and it was displaced. Instead of trying something new at the time, work felt more comfortable. Part of me thought if one day I can get so far ahead of everything, I’ll have allllll the time to pursue other things.

Which, surprise surprise, didn’t work at all. Instead of getting ahead, it simple never felt like enough.

Now, a different lifestyle, a different country, a different point of view later, I budget time for things outside of work that make me feel like a whole human being. Not just a photographer on a commission or deadline.

Albeit the reward for me is often thinking of how something I make will photograph (photography is such a joy for me in every way), I now also find the greatest happiness in physically making things with my hands.

Returning to this reminded me of all the hours I spent as a kid crafting. Coloring. Countless quiet hours with crayons or water colors or scissors and glue.

Not everything was beautiful. Not everything was a masterpiece. But everything took me away from the noise in my head and quietly nudged me to a path I’m so thankful I’ve returned to many years later.

If you’re curious, is that friend who asked me that question…and this year on a Friday without work, we’re going to a Christmas market ✨

That simple question changed my whole outlook on time outside of work, and maybe, it’ll change yours too 🫶

Every year December sneaks in and quietly (or not so quietly) demands a whooooole lot of our attention.

But what if instead of starting in this month with a stressed out sigh, we embraced it with a little more light, a little more patience, a little more space to breathe?

Because if I know you, I know that you’re working overtime to make the holidays merry and bright for those around you. And my friend, that effort does not go unnoticed.

But don’t forget.

You deserve to live in that magic, too ✨

Consider this your official invitation to take well deserved little breaks to pour back into yourself all season long. We’ll be here supporting you with crafty bits from our home, cutie photos of babies and puppies and people who love each other, small businesses that work just as hard as you do, and a few events at our studio space for irl time to unwind and connect 🫶

Happy sparkle season, gang. Here’s to putting you right at the top of the list of things we are so very grateful for ✨

When your friends business is so amazing you wanna work there too 🥹

The second Sid opened her spa’s door…my jaw dropped.

This is what dreams are made of. And to see a dear friend go after hers with so much heart?

Oof. Y’all pass me a tissue. There’s nothing like it.

Get ready, gang. Because All Skin Aesthetics is unlike any other med spa you’ll ever experience ✨🧖‍♀️🫶

My guy.

If there’s one thing you should know about Joe, it’s this.

He really cares. His heart for people and animals will never waver. He makes the unfathomable a reality. He’s a golden retriever soul with same amount of loyalty and tenacity.

He won’t let you down, and he’ll exhaust every effort and ounce of, “what can we do to make this work?” to find a solution.

He gives you hope when you think the bottom is ready to fall out. He makes the impossible, possible.

He’s made our life with a whole lot of tumultuous times, feel safe 🥹

Through the deployments, endless trainings, moves, and like, a thousand acronyms, he’s been the same guy he’s always been. Supportive, kind, pragmatic, compassionate and empathetic.

I’m so proud to be he’s best friend and partner! ✨

While I’ve got a million dreamy photos from this glowy sundrenched session with my girlie Hannah and her crew, I think this one is the one to share today.

Magic is all around, you know? We miss it when we don’t pause for a beat to see it.

This one…this one just made me stop for a minute and really remember how the slightest of shifts can reframe everything. How we are so lucky to have magic exist all around us.

It’s in our friendships. Our moments. The light. Rest. Reflection. All of it. We just need to pause long enough to remember, and to truly see it 🥹

gets it. It you’ve ever spent ten minutes with her or been to a wedding she’s planned, you know how she makes those moments count ✨

When I say, “photos speak to me”…

there’s a real chance I mean this 😘

We love .scaries and couldn’t resist bringing the sass for our open house week at KSP.

Share the one that speaks to you 💅

If this isn’t giving, “slams laptop shut till Monday”, I don’t know what does ✨

Katie hand lettered allllll of this and then we projected it on her and used it as a backdrop for photos. It. Was. Awesome. And of course, we had to lean on our girl Taylor Swift for some support with those 🫶 glasses.

Ahem. And. Because it’s the weekend AND is Swiftie (as am I!) AND on weekends we spill the gos…

PLEASE tell me we’ve seen that Taylor Swift changed up her reputation outfit! 🐍

Does this mean a new album is dropping?! What do we think?! 😱

When the cool kids of grant writing show up, you go all in on chic elevation for the vibe 💅

is like the friend who tells you like it is, and always has your best interest at heart. Because when it comes to funding and fueling non profits, a lot of both, is an everyday requirement.

If you’ve ever saught funding for a grant, you know it’s approximately 800 steps forward and just as many back some days. Having a framework is key, because navigating without a plan, simply isn’t an option if you want to secure that bag 💰

Hearts of gold with incredible intentions need plans to see those big dreams come to fruition (or be funded).

Duct taping support together is hard when you’re also the boots on the ground in the npo world. Veterans and newbies alike, creating a game plan can feel like the end of the line without structure and support.

That’s why we 🫶 Becki and the breadth of consulting services provides!

And if you’re thinking, “I just need a place to start”, you’re in luck. There’s a book for that. Becki literally wrote it ✨

Put your party pants on and join us for our open house!

October 25th we’re inviting all of our friends to come on over to the studio for the evening. We couldn’t have our new space without all of the amazing people who have supported us through the years, this is truly happening because of you! 😘

We’ll have a sampling of some of our favorite prints, sips, a raffle and some of the best party favors. Oh! And a small business guide featuring some of the best folks we’ve worked with over the years. Because you know I’ll simply never shush it about supporting our small biz besties!

Send your rsvp to [email protected] to get on the guest list! We can’t WAIT to see you soon!

We broke in the new studio with Aly and Lambeau today! 🥂

We tested some lifestyle options, sampled a new backdrop (and some peanut butter) played with some bubbles, and learned a whole lot about working in our new studio.

It is VERY surreal to have this much space. I’m not used to it! It’s also really weird to have this much natural light, room to even have two setups, and think thoughts like, “oh! I would like a more neutral couch set up but I could also keep the bolder jewel toned one in a separate area for options!”

OPTIONS! What the heck, you guys! We barely had enough room in our last suite to sit on the floor 🤣and today, Lambeau was able to run around and have his pick of where he was most comfortable!

This moment I’m sat at my desk feeling so grateful. I know this was the best decision, and feel so very supported. We could have never done what we did today in any other space I’ve ever had.

My whole career as a photographer, all I’ve ever wanted, was to take photos that encourages you to spend time in real life, really remembering it. With the people and pets you love. With your family. With your work. Even in your own mind.

To make people feel like their memories, their life, and their time, is so worth it…in a space that supported them.

We have room to breathe here, you guys. Can you believe it?

After 13 years, I found the ease in this space to do it without having to block out six hours for set up and tear down.

It feels a whole lot like coming home 🥹

A big ol’ hug to Aly and Mr. Lambeau for spending this morning with me figuring out how to waft bubbles, navigate an unexpected blip with half my electric sockets, and figure out the best way to for floofy little toe beans to be more comfy on backdrops.

You made today such a cherished memory!

Hello, sunshine!🌻

There are simply some days that call for golden retriever energy. And good golly gosh, today we’re calling the floof and fur in for a little pre Friday fun.

Cooper asked if I could update his headshots and who am I to say no? 🥹 We love our golden guy around here!

Send this to someone who needs a wholesome little lift!

Putting the Sun in Sunflower 🌻

Happy weekend!

The Elle Woods of party planning 💁‍♀️

That’s Hannah for you, friends!

A few months ago when we started working together, Hannah showed me a dress she wanted to wear for her headshots. It wasn’t just any old dress. It was THE dress. A pink gingham stunner a la the summer of Barbie.

Right away I knew, this girly had what Milwaukee needed. Not just because of the dress but because of her whole approach to planning is exactly who she is as a person. She’s kind. Approachable. And she’s always got your back. Communication with her doesn’t feel cold or out of reach. It feels honestly, like a party 🤷‍♀️

And, she simply gets s**t done 🙌

Hannah focuses on navigating difficulties with a good sense of humor, patience, and hard work. And that’s where I think of Elle Woods.

Elle is obviously fiercely fun (trips to the cape, clam bakes!) but she got exactly where she wanted to be with hard work and determination. She didn’t falter or lose herself in the process, nope. She made who she was part of being a lawyer.

You can see the parallels, ammirighth?

If you want a smooth event that feels as fun as your planner promised, hand it off to someone who takes fun seriously. That’s why we love !

We also love our talented all girl gang of , and who helped kit out this perfect day!

This one is for the people and pets that make us feel at home 🥹

You know that feeling, right? The one where you just can’t wait to get home after a really, really, long day or a trip full of delays and cancelled flights. And when you finally pull up to your driveway, it is the best feeling in the world.

You walk through the door. Drop your bag, and the stress drops with it at the same second you’re scooped into a hug. It’s all topped off with an eager furry family member sprinting to your side in a flurry of fuzz and tail wags.

Suddenly, the hard stuff you endured doesn’t feel quite as heavy.

You can breath easier.

Everything feels instantly better.

You’re home.

That’s what Aly, Brandon and Lambeau’s session felt like 🥹

That kind of effortless ease of happiness only happens when you feel at home with the ones you’re with. It is pure, genuine, joy. The kinda stuff that makes this photographer tear up about. It really doesn’t get any better than that 🥹

Aly found my family our forever home almost a year and a half ago, and with it, we welcomed all of those wonderful feelings. This year, I photographed her family, and was reminded exactly how feeling at home looks through their photos 😭

Turenne crew, you are the best in the whole wide world. Joe and I are so lucky to call you friends. To many more well lived days like this, especially with Lambeau living his best wiggly b***y life! We love you!

The girlies with their soul dogs get it 🥹

Five or so years ago, these two gorgeous gals hiked through a bunch of burs with Joe, me and a tennis ball in tow. This year we strolled around Lake Park with Dorris the dog toy doctor…and no burs 💁‍♀️😂

A few years difference and a location change, but Huckleberry, ohhhh how she hasn’t changed to me one bit. That same puppy energy, sis still has it! And omg. We. Love. It.

I’ll never not love days like these. Ever. Shayla, you two are the absolute best girl gang around 🥹

Sunday things ☺️

This weekend was the best. When work fits in perfectly balanced with moments like these, everything feels infinitely more effortless.

Between you and me, this is when I think we as small business owners absolutely thrive.

I know people say work life balance is a myth. But…I think that’s a cop out to not try and find it.

No one ever said the business owner who suffers the most wins the most. So why not try to find a little more ease instead of finding the friction and give this whole balance thing a shot? 🙌

Come find me on the East Side of Milwaukee 🤭

Ten of these beauties are posted up in some of my fav neighborhood hangs! This one went up today, gang, and if you spot it…

Send it to me 😎

Because you’ve just earned a 20% discount on the next new session you book 🙌

Photos shouldn’t suck. Period. We’re on a mission to prove it this summer!