Catie Bergman specializes in newborn, maternity and family photography via her Seattle-based company, Catie Bergman Photography. Bergman also sells landscape and wildlife prints at local galleries and online. Learn about Catie Bergman…
Follow at: @catiebergmanphoto; @catiebergmanoutdoors
Hometown: I grew up in Dallas, Texas. I moved to Houston the week before starting high school and have been in Washington since attending Whitman College.
First job: I started babysitting when I was 12, but my first real job was working as the photo editor for my college newspaper.
Favorite ways to spend your free time in WA: Taking my camper van out to the North Cascades. Fostering rescue pups through Dog Gone Seattle. Paddleboarding at Green Lake. Trying out new restaurants and coffee shops.
Your biggest accomplishment and why: I can’t think of one big moment but many little ones. Every time a client emails with elation after seeing their gallery, I feel like I’ve succeeded. I love helping people feel more confident, and more grateful for the stage of life they’re in.
The biggest obstacle you overcame: Learning the importance of saying no. In my experience, saying yes to every opportunity often leads to burnout and resentment.
Someone who inspires you and why: My husband, Dan. I love how creative and driven he is. He’s a research scientist, and he wakes up every morning with a desire to use his work to help build a healthier world. He’s naturally curious and not afraid to try new things. On a more personal level, Dan has always believed in me. Throughout the ebbs and flows of my entrepreneurial journey, his support and patience have inspired me to be the best version of myself.
Advice to someone pursuing a career path in what you do: Identify your fears and move toward them instead of away. Don’t let your brain convince you to stay still in the face of anxieties and insecurities. Embrace growth and change over comfort – it’s so empowering.
Favorite quote: “This is the real secret of life—to be completely engaged with what you are doing in the here and now—and instead of calling it work, realize it is play.” —Alan Watts
Something someone would be surprised to learn about you: I’ve always been drawn to the polar regions. This past January, I completed a solo photo trip down to the Antarctica Peninsula, and it absolutely changed me. Now I find myself dreaming up ways to travel to the Arctic.
What makes someone fabulous: Being kind – both to one’s self and to others.