Meet Katherine Evans | San Diego Wedding and Family Photographer, and Business Coach

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

Hi Katherine, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?

First I find it important to acknowledge that a perfect work-life balance isn’t realistic, and to aim for it will set you up for failure. Creating systems, workflows, and boundaries both in work and in personal life are critical for putting work down, and being truly present with the people in your life who matter most, who it’s all for.

If you are working non-stop, with no end in sight, even if you love it the MOST….you will find yourself looking back and regretting your lack of work-life balance. In work, whether you’re a working parent, auntie, uncle, or a spouse, there are people in your corner waiting to spend time with you, and you can say just a minute until you’re blue in the face, until there aren’t any minutes left. You don’t want to have regrets, and you absolutely will if you maintain the grind, and the hustle.

Working harder isn’t  working smarter, and won’t push you forward. Financially, and physically, you’ll burn out, and personally you’ll drift from your dearest loved ones. For what? Clients are SO important. Your work MATTERs. You have a purpose doing what you’re doing, but remember who it’s all for.

As business owners we’re often a slave to our work, but it doesn’t have to work that way. There are programs and systems that work FOR us, with workflows, automations, and tactics we can use to push our business forward, while we are kicking back with our crew, stress free. 

If you have a 9-5 you may be able to leave your work at work. As a business owner, you have to truly create a plan, both personally, and professionally, that will work best for your family and your clients, until your head hits the pillow – you are truly at rest, knowing you have made the right decisions.

Outsourcing in business ownership is imperative to this balance. Get an accountant, a bookkeeper, a CRM, a newsletter host, a website designer, a copyright host, and personally – a babysitter, a nanny etc. What can you outsource that makes you a better YOU, without compromising the growth of your business, but rather gives you the time to do what makes your business thrive, while pushing your business forward?!

I know several of you are cringing right now, at the thought of the kind of money that pours out to such contractors, but I promise you it all works out, and your health, and your family will thank you.

And again, reflect on the purpose of it all?! Who are you working for? What are you working for?! What are your goals?! If it doesn’t serve you and your family, and if you’re being run into the ground, and you’re  pushing away the ones that mean the most, maybe clarity mapping and reflection is just the ticket, to figure out where the pivot needs to happen.

Don’t let life pass you by, before you look into your business and how it’s affecting your life as a whole. Start today. How are you feeling? How are you sleeping? Are you neglecting your health? Are you neglecting your spouse?! Are you snapping at your kids? Are you a slave to your phone and your computer?! Are you neglecting exercise? 

Look at your calendar; schedule all the things you would like to do personally. Write in your

Pilates, write in your sabbath, write in your vacations, and days off…. then write, and post on

your computer, what your non-negotiable days off are…. then, add in your work days. Set aside dates for bookkeeping, and taxes, and set aside office days; schedule out your deep work and more. Start to create systems. Begin to note how your life is shifting, and how your work isn’t  taking a hit!? You’ll be kicking yourself that you didn’t start earlier, like me, but don’t. Give yourself grace, and permission to get it right moving forward. I can’t stress the attention you need to give to this work-life balance concept in your life. You only have one to live. Make it count.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

I grew up around a family who was so completely stunning to observe; to see through a lens. A Grandpa who looked people in the eyes, took their faces in his palms, and poured life

into them. A Grandma who was spicy with a zest for life. A Mom and Dad who heard a good tune and started dancing all around the house. Aunties who started singing rounds with one-another, giggling throughout. That There was a certain kind of magic, I was honored to witness on a monthly basis, if not daily.

I was always the one who was just so aware of these moments. That paired with a camera in my hand, with my empathetic soul…. I’m gifted to create moments you can feel. The in-between moments are my forte. It’s when people are truly living and not cheesing at the camera, when my art sails. The challenges have been technical with the shift from using film, to digital, and maintaining the same excellence, but my heart for people has been effortless.

I’ve learned so many lessons that have caused me to niche down; figuring out what I like, what I don’t, and realizing I don’t need to chase a buck, and that I could be making money doing what I love, without compromising my art.

I am a bubbly, fun and down-to-earth lover of life and of the human connection, and my heart and soul and mission is for you to have a tangible piece of your heart in your hands when you need it. We all grab for the albums, for the photos in times of loss, hardship, and confusion, as well as when we’re in a nostalgic space. My aim is for you to have memories and moments to look back on that make you FEEL, not make you think about the “photo experience.” If you’re seeking out images that make you feel, that look natural – I’m your girl.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

OHHH if my bestie were to come to San Diego again this year, I would take her to the San Diego Botanical Garden. I would take her to the Inn and Sunset Cliffs (is this correct?) to swim. We would watch the sunset at Sunset Cliffs Natural Park. I’d give her a tour of the Point Loma

Nazarene University campus. I’d show her Cabrillo. I’d book a sail on Sail San Diego for a Sunset Cruise of the city, accompanied by the local dolphins. We’d go to Caroline’s Cafe for breakfast and coffee, while watching the ocean waves at Scripps Pier. I’d take her to The Malt Shop in Point Loma for the BEST burgers, fries, and shakes but MOST of all, the staff there are the kindest people on the planet. We’d go to Bali Hai for the views and tropical drinks. I would take her to Kakawa Coffee in Point Loma for the BEST coffee, followed by Portside Coffee for the amazing gelato. Mostly we’d be together and that would be all that I could ever ask for.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shout out?
A big turn in my business, clarity mapping, truly diving into my work-life balance and how I want to move forward in life professionally without tanking my health, heart, and mind, was when I was reached out to by Ashely Strong Smith; She’s a fellow photographer, and Intentional Living Coach. She reached out to me knowing some personal struggles I encountered. Ashley is truly a gem who is grounded, and completely genuine in helping others with her strengths, knowledge and passion for people.

Website: https://www.katherinebethphotography.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katherinebethphotography/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherine-evans-506b3655/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Katherine-Beth-Photography-San-Diego-Wedding-and-Family-Photographer-100063740431423/