When a Side Project Turns into a Main Project

by Allison Birk

I was asked to interview Miss Katie Shagman, the lovely photographer who agreed to donate her precious time and capture all the fabulous moments at Get Smart 2012.  In true Allison fashion, I procrastinated to do my research. I arrived at our meeting spot early and frantically began my homework. I pulled up her blog (www.hersideproject.com) and made a couple of cryptic notes no one else would be able to follow.

When Katie arrived, she was all smiles and my anxiety vanished. Katie is very friendly and we chatted like old friends for the next 90 minutes!

Katie’s unofficial photography career began in 2005 when she saved her pennies to buy a digital camera. Suddenly, the world became her subject. Nature, college roommates, activities around campus, you name it… she was taking pictures of it. During her time at St. Edwards, she became known as a ‘Professional Party Photographer’ amongst friends. After receiving positive feedback from those she photographed, she began to realize she had a gift. In addition to her party pic services, she began offering senior photos. Her first paid customer was the recipient of a senior portrait shoot. Katie can’t exactly pinpoint the reasons why she’s so attached to photography but simply says, “My hobby makes other people happy.”

In the beginning, Katie referred to Her Side Project as ‘The Side Project’, but when she learned the domain name for The Side Project was taken, she had to rebrand. Her Side Project was born. All of Her Side Project’s business has been word of mouth from former clients. Katie is a one-woman show, and says, “My favorite thing is creating memories for others.”

“My blog is 85% personal and 15% professional. My philosophy is letting readers get to know me as a person before they hire me,” Katie said. She believes if someone is going to bring someone they’ve never met into their home, spend time around their children, or capture an important event, it’s best if they have had a chance to “get to know her”, establishing trust right off the bat. She also told the story of how she generally tries to practice what she preaches. She had self portraits made and encourages everyone to do so. She articulates it so much better than I ever could here.

When I asked about her proudest moment, her face lit up. With an electric smile, Katie spilled the beans. Several years ago her colleague approached her to see if she could capture the proposal to his then girlfriend. He had a day at Becker Vineyards in Fredericksburg, TX all planned complete with picnic and friends (hiding in the background). Katie followed at a non-creepy distance behind them and captured the entire day. A friend of Katie’s even joined her as a model for a bogus shoot to ensure the girlfriend wouldn’t notice the strange camera lady in the distance. Once the ring was on her finger, friends and family of the newly engaged couple jumped out and a full-blown photo session commenced.

Katie also nonchalantly shared some of her other accomplishments. Check out her work from The BIG Give, Texas for Bill White: New Leaders Council, and Julian Read’s 85^th birthday party.

Other fun facts:

• It appears she and her boyfriend share the same birthday (August 31). The story is very cute.
• So if photography is her side project, what is her day job? She’s an Account Supervisor in the Digital + Creative department with Hill & Knowlton Strategies.
• She’s a true Texan and a cowboy boot fan. She bought her boyfriend his first pair recently.

Katie is such an inspiration of a young woman who is all that and then some. On behalf of all AWC members and Get Smart attendees, thank you again for capturing the moment last Friday!

Looking for photos for the upcoming holiday season? Katie can be reached at hersideproject@gmail.com. Please note: Fall sessions are quickly filling up so sign up today, you won’t regret it!