Kate Thompson is a documentary film and digital photographer based in Virginia who brings empathy, a fine-tuned editorial eye and a quiet thoughtfulness to ceremonies large and small. Based in Virginia and capturing weddings worldwide, she is inspired by beautiful, thoughtful and personal destinations. With a calming a positive presence on a wedding day and twelve years of experience, Kate Thompson continues to approach photography as an act of discovery to create images that celebrate both thoughtful design and human connection.
Tell us about your business!
Kate Thompson is a Virginia-based destination wedding photographer for couples in search of heartfelt, artful images of their one-of-a-kind celebrations. With 12 years of experience, I continue to approach photography as an act of discovery and combine an editorial and documentary approach to create images that celebrate both thoughtful design and human connection.
Do you travel for weddings?
Yes! Though the majority of weddings I photograph are in New York and California, I travel all over the world and love exploring new places.
How would you describe your style?
A wedding is a joyful, emotional moment on a large tapestry of family dynamics and relationships. My approach to photography stems from the instinct to preserve those tiny moments - the small, beautiful snapshots our lives are made of - and be the person who can weave through the story arc of the day while the couple is busy soaking it all in.
What motivates you to do what you do?
The love for my own family - my three kids, my partner, my sisters and my parents - is the why behind my entire approach to photographing weddings. A wedding is a reminder to slow down and be present with your loved ones, fully immersed in the atmosphere, location and relationships. It is a privilege to photograph weddings and I keep that gratitude front and center - with the goal of creating thoughtful, meaningful art as my north star.
How would you describe your working style?
My camera is a tool that endlessly sparks my marvel and curiosity, but I also believe making a photo should never come at the expense of the moment. Over 12 years of experience and 200 weddings has taught me the intuition of where to be and when during each wedding interaction - to optimize the beauty of the moment without compromising its truth. I invite every couple I work with to be present and enjoy the time with their loved ones by intuiting my surroundings and creating a relaxed atmosphere that invites authentic, honest expression. I see each wedding as a collaboration and an artistic practice, striking the balance between the non-invasive nature of documentary photography and the editorial eye of a curator or cinematic director.
Do you shoot digitally, on film or both?
A mix of digital and film. The majority of the images I deliver are digital, but I have about a dozen different film cameras and bring a few to each wedding.
Do you have custom packages according to individual needs?
Yes, I built custom proposals for each client after an in-depth conversation with the wedding planner and/or couple about the full weekend line up of festivities.
What is a favourite product or service that you offer and why?
A custom-designed wedding album (i.e. coffee table art book). I have dreams of printing and binding these myself one day, but for now it’s a highly personal process of selecting images, creating a narrative, and thoughtfully designing and printing a book.
Where would you love to travel to for work?
I love all locations that have meaning for the couples and families I work with - whether that means a childhood home or a favorite destination vacation spot. A few favorite locations that always inspire me are Italy, France, and Mexico.
Who is your dream client?
My dream client is one who plans a one-of-a-kind, highly personal wedding, but ultimately cares the most about being present with their loved ones and having a good time. I love when a couple has a whole weekend of festivities planned and is thoughtful about the guest experience. I also deeply appreciate when a couple trusts me to be an artist on their wedding day.
