Kat Pilato

"Carly"Kat’s journey as a photographer began in high school, when she bought a Yashica rangefinder and began to experiment. But her real artistry was born when she became a mom.

“Children are just perfect for photography,” she says. “My husband bought a Minolta X700 for me when my children were first born and I entered photos of them in contests at work.”

Those pictures won awards. Which made her hungry for more.

KatKat, of Williamson, NY, expanded her portfolio into people of all ages, as well as architecture, travel, animals and food. As she’s become more experienced in her discipline, she’s found more fascination in the play of light and perspective as well.

Food photography is a newer subject for Kat. She took this shot at a cooking class.“I’m intrigued by twilight photography, angles on buildings and looking at things from a different point of view,” she says. “The face of a senior citizen. Their lovely, gnarled hands.”

As her repertoire has grown, her curiosity and quest for expertise has, too. Kat credits her mentors for improving her work. “I ask, they tell or show,” she says.

Now a more seasoned photographer herself, Kat’s advice for aspiring picture-takers comes with a practical sensibility. First, she suggests looking at other photographers’ work—there are lots of places you can do so online for free.

“Look at Flickr or smugmug. Great inspiration without investing in books,” she says.

From "Weekend in New England"“You can get right to your favorite subject or style of photography and want to run out and start capturing great stuff yourself.”