Meet Kate Thornton | Lifestyle Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kate Thornton and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kate, what is the most important factor behind your success?
Showing up. I started my Charleston, SC-based photography business 21 years ago in 2003. I now have three kids and a busy schedule. Trust me, there have been crazy days when I had to drag myself to a photo shoot or meeting, but I went; and once I got there, I loved it!! I’m blessed to have a job that I enjoy so much.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a lifestyle photographer; I enjoy photographing people doing what they love!

I moved to Charleston in 1996 for College, Go Cougars! I graduated in 2000 and have been a full-time photographer ever since.

I have a commercial photography business, Kate Thornton Photography. That business focuses on commercial photography: business portraits, lifestyle images for annual reports, and social and website images. You may have seen my editorial photos in the New York Times, Coastal Living, Charleston Magazine, and more.

I also have a wedding and family portrait business, Captured by Kate Photography. My associate photographers and I photograph about ten weddings and 70+ family portraits a year on Kaiwah, IOP, and in between.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Day 1. A day relaxing on Folly Beach followed by dinner at Bowens Island.

Day 2. A morning walk around historic downtown Charleston and shopping on King Street. Finish the day with dinner downtown as well. I like to restaurant hop. We sit at the bar and talk to new friends. I order appetizers so that I can take in a variety of flavors.

Day 3. Get on a boat. We love to take out-of-town friends to Morris Island.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Oh my goodness, this question is so limiting. There are so many people, podcasts, books, organizations, and more that have bettered my business.

Banner from Banner Photography, Corrie and James from MCG Photography, Julia Lynn Photography, and John from Smoak Stack Studios are all local Charleston photographers who started their businesses around the same time as me. I can call any of them at the drop of a hat and say I have no idea how to price this shoot, handle this insane client with grace, or tackle this project. That friendship over the years has been invaluable.

Website: https://www.katethorntonphotography.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katethorntonphoto/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katethorntonphoto/

Other: www.capturedbykate.com https://www.instagram.com/capturedbykatechs