MEET KATE, YOUR MILWAUKEE WEDDING, NEWBORN, AND PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHER

the photographer who knows you are more than your instagram bio

You've got a heck of a lot more layers than that

and that is exactly why I do what I do when it comes to photos.

Think of me as the bridge between all the pieces of you, to the carefully crafted stitches of your story, to the photos that tell the tale of you.

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you, my friend, have come to the right place. we serve people like you, who believe documenting your days is a very worthy cause.

Wisconsin based small business photographer

step into my studio

and let's get to know each other

I'm Kate, lead photographer and owner of KSP. And I am so happy to meet you. Like the crinkly eye, big smile, happy to meet you!

Think of me as your go-to, expert in all things, photography bestie.

When it comes to photography, there are dozens if not hundreds of categories pros place themselves in. Portrait, wedding, engagement, family, newborn, business branding, film, fine art, photography educator…

But when it comes to smooshing myself into just one of those little boxes and only claiming only a few as my "expertise", ehhhh, it makes your girl feel a little claustrophobic, you know? Because I truly love multiple expressions of my craft.

Which is why I spent over 13 years getting really good at a lot of things.

It is also the secret sauce that uncovered my enthusiasm for encouraging folks to connect with the camera outside of all their own little boxes.

And exactly why I do things a little bit differently than your average photographer.

photo fare: our menu of services

Sunset family photos in Milwaukee Wisconsin

Harry Potter themed newborn session in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

small business owner Karla from Spellbound Arrangements works in her studio space as Kate Spitz Photography documents her day

product photography services for Etsy vendors

by translating the ideas in your mind, to the real deal in camera...

you get photos that finally feel like "you"

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Over a decade ago

I started my photography career and noticed...

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there was a huge gap in the photography industry. And i was going to fill it.

Photography services for multiple life events wasn't a thing...so I made it the thing for KSP.

Your need for photos doesn't stop at engagement and wedding photos. There is a WHOLE lot more life to live after that...and you change and grow right along with it.

I know that you are more than the title of mom, dad, business owner, nurse, teacher, pilot, whatever it is you introduce yourself as. I know you have passions and a personality that span beyond what can fit in an "list of photo services" tab.

You and me? We have a LOT in common.

Just like you, I absolutely understand that a one size fits all static option just won't work. That you may have a need for family photos AND you run a small business that needs product photos AND you need updated in studio headshots. That you are MORE than one "thing" in this world, and your life paints the picture of many aspects to integrate, not just one of title.

That's why I got really good at serving my clients exactly where they are, in every stage of life. To bring alllll of that good stuff together. Which means you don't have to hunt for multiple photographers...you can have it all in one place!

The best way to get photos you love, is by creating an environment that supports you. That means we chat before your session about what everything will look like, we take the time to walk you through the details of how to prep, and are there to answer any questions. When your session rolls around, that doesn't stop. You and me? We're a team, baby! Your photo session will flow with conversation and direction woven together. With a lot of hype from yours truly. I'm REALLY good at that!

What do YOU want in your session? If you LOVE the idea of a glowing golden hour session, but you can't change your family's nighttime routine, I'll give you a sunrise option instead to get the same type of light. You hand me your hopes and dreams and I'll problem solve to remove the obstacles. They don't call me an excuse executor for nothin'!

From inquiry to gallery completion, I'm the gal who gets it all done. You absolutely do not need to worry about any of the details. KSP takes care of not only your booking materials with a custom client portal, but we also carefully curate a session prep guide, clear email communication with session details, image editing, and gallery delivery. Our streamlined workflow help keep things simple and easy for you.

With over a decade of photography work with REAL people in REAL life, we know how to handle whatever comes our way with a can-do and foward thinking attitude. KSP is not a brand that just “shows up” for the session. Planning and prep is 50% of your session. That means we have everything figured out ahead of time, including making sure YOU are prepared for our time together!

why my approach is

a darn good thing for you

My job as your photographer is to give you beyond the session you want

I am obsessed with providing the session you need

We deliver a session that actually feels like you from the get go because each session is customized for you. With clear communication from your inquiry to your gallery delivery, you will feel heard. Your custom client questionnaire, consultation, and carefully crafted session, make all of this possible.

Because we KNOW it isn’t always realistic to pack your fam up and head 4 hours away for an adventurous mountain climbing session...

But, what IS realistic, is learning about what you love about the idea of that type of session, and finding ways to create it locally. Preferably, without the blisters.

Guess who lives to solve these types of problems (and knows all the good spots in Milwaukee)?

This girl.

You don't need ridiculously epic locations or a brand new wardrobe to make epic photos. You just need the right photographer who will listen to you and deliver on her promise.

maybe you were purusing pinterest...

and found the perfect inspo pic for the perfect portrait. One problem: the person posing has a totally different sense of fashion, isn’t smiling (but like Buddy the Elf, smiling is your favorite), and is standing in front of a gray backdrop (your least favorite color).

But.

you like SOMETHING about the image. And you can’t quite put your finger on it.

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That’s where I come in to translate what you loved about that image. No Pinterest copy and pasting, we create images designed for you...not the masses.

family of five photographs taken in Delafield, Wisconsin

As an experienced pro, I know the impact each body of work lends to another. this is how we do it.

getting at the heart of who you are

and showcasing just how wonderful your story is. that's what we do best around here, and our greatest passion.

under my photographer

title

"I can buy myself flowers" which, I totally do...

But. I would rather be the one to plant the garden, tend to it, and watch those blooms grow through the most challenging of seasons.

Thriving when it is WAY easier to take a shortcut, is what serves as my foundation.

When it comes to life and business, I could have taken a well paved path…but I chose this one.

The less traveled path that requires a litle more patience. A little more fortitude. And a hell of a lot more compassion.

a woman cuddling a golden retriever dog against a white backdrop

and then there are dog people

Its me. Hi. I'm THE dog person!

12 years ago, my partner Joe and I were moving together to Little Rock. After a 13 hour road trip, I pulled in to meet Joe…and found a chunky golden retriever puppy sitting in the front seat of his Jeep.

It was love at first sight.

We had made plans to go pick up our puppy in Colorado after things had settled…but Joe surprised me and had Darwin flown in. While he was moving from Texas, Joe had kept Darwin a secret for WEEKS.

I still have no idea how he did it, but that was the best surprise I could have ever asked for!

Five years later, I convinced Joe to get a second golden from the same line! Cooper is my sweet and silly boy, directly related to his Uncle Darwin. Darwin's memory lives on every day with Cooper by our side!

we've done enough moving for a lifetime

Joe and I spent 15 years living all over the place, doing a lot of cool things with our careers and life. And after all that time, we were MORE than ready for a slower pace…and ready to move back to our homestate.

Our last move ever was from Tokyo to Milwaukee in July 2022. We purchased our dream home in the city, a 115 year old Craftsman cutie we're currently renovating.

Being close to our family is a dream we never thought would be possible with Joe's military career. After 13 years of active duty life as a cargo pilot, Joe now flies commercially…and we're in Milwaukee for good!

Special thanks to Brushwork Impressions for this beautiful watercolor painting of our home!

Proud Public Radio Nerd

Paired with my morning coffee, WBEZ Chicago has been my home NPR station for as long as I can remember. Audie Cornish got me through my commute many a times before I was a full time photographer. She is hands down my favorite journalist on the planet.

Catching up with local news, listening to This American Life with Ira Glass or ending the day with All Things Considered, NPR is a constant friend in studio or at home.

Fun fact: my husband Joe and I have been loyal listeners of the same station no matter where we have lived! We tuned in from Tokyo on a daily basis!

turned 30 something adult

Remember the Pizza Hut program that gave you a personal pizza if you read a whole bunch?

I was that kid who maxed out her reading log. Every. Single. Month.

And I'm still that person as an adult. Just swap the reading log for a Goodreads to-be-read list!

From my current fav, A Perfect Vintage, to the ENTIRE Virigin River Series (I'm not sure if I should be proud of that or not), to spooky thrillers like The House Across the Lake, and every single cozy category (bonus points if its the Shady Hallow series or anything witchy)…I will devour it like a personal pan pizza.

Last year I joined a book club with the best girl gang! We rotate choosing books and hosting, which is literally like our superbowl. When you see me post on instagram about book club night…you know it's gonna be good.

Now that you know a little about me, let me hear about you. We can grab coffee and talk about how to capture the story you want to tell. Together, we’ll cultivate perfectly imperfect photos that are unique to you and yours.