about

My name is Katie (I'm sure you've figured that out already).  I'm a photographer that specializes in maternity, baby, children, wedding & engagement, and family photography (again, pretty obvious, I know).

Rather than tell you all the typical stuff photographers have in their "About Me" section -- for example, "My passion for photography started when I  was given my first SLR camera at the age of two by my grandfather.......and I haven't been able to put down the camera since."  -- I'll spare you the details of when and where my passion started and tell you the stuff potential clients really want to know.  Clearly, I wouldn't be doing this if I wasn't passionate about it, right?  Okay then.....I'll get started...again.....

I'm Katie.  I grew up in a very small Minnesota town close to Albert Lea.  I graduated from the U of M with a BA in Psychology and immediately went on to get my Masters in Education. For 10 years I was a middle school math teacher at Northeast Middle School in Minneapolis.   In December 2010, my husband and I (really, it was just me, but I had to give him credit) gave birth to our first child, a girl, we named her Ainsley.  Anyway, in the time I was off work during my maternity leave, I found myself questioning what was really important in life.  After a few months, I realized the things important to me had changed, but I'd been too busy to notice.  The time spent with my daughter those few months made me realize I needed to start living my life the way I'd want my daughter to live hers -- doing what makes me happy. So, after a lot of thinking and discussions with my husband, I decided I was going to retire from teaching and pursue my creative interests more. (I know, a math teacher with a creative side? Sounds crazy, but I'll let my work speak for itself).  So, here I am.  A photographer, a (former)teacher, a mom, a wife, a Gemini (so is my husband, there's never a dull moment), a "scrapper" (this is slang for a person who scrap-books).  I have many interests, some of which have already been mentioned, like scrap booking and photography of course.  But, I also love to cook, sew (such a good wife, I know), read; lately I'm into baby books, but usually go for Charlaine Harris or Augusten Burroughs type books.  I'm also kind of a gadget geek lately, and I inherited this from my husband, but it's also helped my photography in many ways.  And one last guilty pleasure, I know this is weird, but I love those paranormal shows that have been on lately and I can't seem to pull myself away from those darn "Real Housewives" shows...... yes, I know, I know. I guess if you were to ask my husband, which I did repeatedly, while trying to write this, what things people would want to know about me, he'd tell you I am patient, well-organized (almost to a fault), mature, caring,  a perfectionist, and I am my own worst critic.  Thanks honey. In November 2012, we added to our family with a son, Thaine Patrick.


I'll attempt to wrap this up for those of you that have actually read this far.....if you have, I'll try to make your decision easier if you haven't decided on a photographer yet...... First, I specialize in baby, kids and family photography for a reason.  I was a teacher and now as a mother, which doesn't automatically make me more qualified than other photographers, but I think I have a leg up on most of the ones that specialize in children's photography at least.  My experience studying human nature and psychology puts me in a better position to capture moments most people wouldn't see without similar training.  Take a look at some of my pictures and decide for yourself.  Last, but not least, this is my only source of income.  I don't do anything else (except take care of my kids), but this is important because you'll always be able to get ahold of me, email works best, and I will respond right away. 

Thanks for taking the time to read this.  I thought it was important for you to get to know the real me and not some fake paragraph I stole from another photographer.  This is me, what you see is what you get.  Chances are, if we have anything in common, we'll work very well together during the shoot, which always translates to great pictures.

Please feel free to contact me with questions, through email: Katie@KatieMaier.com, Facebook: Facebook.com/katiemaierphotography, Text: 612.217.4693 or you can pick up the old phone and call me the old fashioned way!