READING TIME: 4 min 17 sec
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/01/2024
UPDATED: 10/03/2024
Kate Roberge is not merely a photographer; she is a storyteller whose camera lens captures the nuanced tales of love and celebration. Hailing from the scenic vistas of Vancouver, Canada, Kate's early flirtations with photography blossomed during her youth, culminating in a fervent pursuit that has defined her professional life. The charm of Queenstown, New Zealand, now serves as the backdrop for her creative exploits, where she resides with her husband after what was intended to be a brief sojourn transformed into a nine-year adventure and a new place to call home.
Initially, Kate's career path meandered through the fashion industry, where she harnessed the grandeur of Vancouver's architecture and landscapes to frame her editorial shoots. "I started off in fashion, running around the city, using all the beautiful architecture and grand landscapes to capture campaigns and editorials," Kate recalls. This experience honed her eye for the dramatic and the beautiful, which seamlessly transitioned into her current focus on wedding photography—a field she has enriched for the past eight years.
When asked about her photographic style, Kate reflects a philosophy that resonates through each frame she captures. "I like to describe it as the feeling of the day, with a warm but true to tone feel," she explains. This method is not just about documenting moments but about enveloping them in the genuine emotions they evoke, making each photograph a window into the real ambiance of the wedding day.
Kate’s toolkit is a testament to her belief that a photographer's vision trumps technology. “I’ve always been a believer that the technology is simply at the mercy of a good eye, and so my gear has always just been what has enabled me to do my best,” she shares.
Her current setup includes a beloved Sony system equipped with 24-70 and 70-200 lenses. "Although my heart will never stray too far from the 50mm f1.4," she admits, highlighting her preference for this classic portrait lens. For lighting, she relies on the Profoto A system, and she is also an avid user of film cameras like the Rolleiflex and Nikon F100, typically loaded with Portra 400, which adds a timeless quality to her images.
“I have a colour profile I’ve created that is my base for all images and from there I mostly shift the exposure and temperature. I try to keep post down by being really intentional when I’m shooting, to make sure each image is almost perfect straight out of the camera,” she speaks on post-processing.
Kate's joy in her profession stems from her profound connection to the people she photographs. "I love being witness to people, to their love, to their joy, to their deep and meaningful moments with family and friends. I love watching some in the lead up to the ceremony get excited butterflies then feel absolutely amazing when they put on all the final pieces of their wedding look. My heart breaks and then is put together again at every first look down the aisle," she shares.
Her engagement goes beyond the lens; she becomes a part of the wedding day, often assisting with last-minute dress fixes or offering a comforting word. Her deep empathy often finds her wiping away tears during heartfelt speeches, as she is emotionally invested in each story she tells through her photographs. Kate adds, “I’m simply there for them, in whatever way they need, or might not know they need at the beginning of the planning journey. I firmly believe that if a couple is being supported and has the most amazing day, the photos will simply reflect that, and that’s where the magic is created.”
Handling an average of 70 weddings a year has been no small feat for Kate, driven by a boundless passion that defies the physical toll it takes. "Living in a place like Queenstown, where a quiet season hasn’t really existed for a long time, I think when I was growing the business I had the gift of not knowing where other photographers had placed their glass ceiling, and so I always just booked all the couples who I connected with and wanted me there for their day," she explains. “If I had the date available, I would book them in! I’m an introvert at heart, but weddings just bring me such a joy and a special kind of spark inside that, if my body didn’t have other ideas, I could shoot every day!”`
However, recognizing the need to balance her health and professional enthusiasm, she has recently decided to cap her annual weddings to 50. This adjustment aims to preserve the quality of her work and her well-being. “I can’t wait to see, going into this next season of beautiful days to celebrate, how that feels! Both for my heart, mind and back,” she laughs.
Kate offers tailored photographic coverage with options for either 7 or 10 hours, allowing couples to pinpoint their priorities. "Through trial and error, I’ve found those are the two best options for couples to lock in what their photography priorities are when they begin the planning process," she mentions, ensuring her packages align with the specific needs of each wedding. For those seeking a more personalized touch, she remains flexible, crafting custom packages to perfectly match the unique demands of each client's special day.
When asked to give a piece of advice to couples just starting their planning journey, Kate’s eyes light up, “I have a full journal on my website, that contains all the advice I’ve collected through out the years, and each couple that books with me also received a curated vendor guide and full wedding guide that goes through each part of their day step by step with all the lessons I’ve learned by capturing over 600 weddings at this point.”
A lover of travel and new experiences, Kate is no stranger to destination weddings. She shares enthusiastically: “I’m just packing as we speak to spend a month in Canada and the US for a few weddings, and have just booked a beautiful day to capture in Mexico in March.”
As she plans for a summer in Europe in 2025, she speculates, "I have a feeling that will very quickly become my favourite destination I’ll have shot in, although New York will always have my heart!"
