Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Katherine Tebo.
Hi Mary, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I am a photographer and visual artist from Tallahassee, Florida. I graduated from Florida State University with degrees in Studio Art and Psychology in 2016. I discovered film photography in college and began my photography career by taking photos of local musicians.
This began a love of collaborating with other creatives. In addition to my personal work, I most often work with other creatives—musicians, designers, jewelers, and all-around art lovers—to create images that reflect deeper meanings.
I have shot everything from niche branding shoots to album covers to lifestyle shoots to create portraits and I am currently branching into videography as well. My goal is to help others visually express what is most genuine to them in a creative and compelling way.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not always been a smooth road. Paving your own way, knowing your value, and not deviating from that can be a hard balance to find. It took me a while to find a community of other creatives.
In the beginning, it often felt like I had to choose between what I wanted to do and what would make money, especially coming from a fine art background and wanting to mix in creative projects with commercial projects and even find a way to combine those. When you don’t see other people doing what you do, it can be disheartening.
It took longer than I’d like to realize that it doesn’t mean there isn’t a market for it, and it’s actually an opportunity to pave your own way and be the one that does it. I at times had people tell me that my photos were “weird” and now I find that to be a compliment, but at the time it felt isolating.
I cannot express enough though that there is a niche for what you like to do and I’m so glad I kept with what felt most genuine to me and eventually found an audience that appreciates and supports my work.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a multidisciplinary artist specializing in film photography and experimental processes. With a background in psychology, I believe that art is an exploration of self, working as a therapeutic process in which creative and artistic expression serves as a form of healing. In my personal work, I seek to explore the delicate and complex integration of our conscious and subconscious realities.
In my commercial and commissioned work, I incorporate these elements. As well I am very detail-oriented and I put time and care into every aspect of my shoots and images–from the lighting, the locations, the clothes, and the props—everything has a meaning and an intention in being there, while still leaving room for spontaneity, especially while incorporating a process such as a film where you won’t see the images until later.
The film is at once a process of holding onto and letting go–arguably the most precarious balance to find, and in that, I find my favorite art form. I strive to convey the personality and authenticity that is rooted in what the client wishes to express. My process is more than simply “will this image look good?” as it also aims to convey emotion and depth—why are we taking these images? How do we want the viewer to feel when looking at them?
My images reflect deep emotions, struggles, successes, journeys, and self-expression.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is to not get so lost in creating for others that you forget to create for yourself. As often as possible, take the projects that speak to you and the ones that make you feel the most alive. Don’t just wait for opportunities to come to you.
If you’re not getting the kind of work you want, research, create proposals and email people. In the meantime, do the work that you want to do and trust that you will attract people who want the same. I also keep a journal of all the projects and series that I’d like to do and write down every inspiration I find so I don’t forget it.
And most importantly, I strive to use my fears as a compass, because I’ve often found that the thing I am most afraid of doing is the very thing that will take my art and my business to the next level.
Contact Info:
- Email: maryktebo@gmail.com
- Website: www.marykatherinetebo.com
- Instagram: @35mmk
