Today we’d like to introduce you to Florence Catania.
Hi Florence, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born and raised mostly in France, spent a few years living in England, and eventually made my way to the Bay Area 27 years ago. Life has taken me through its share of unexpected turns, but each chapter has shaped where I am today… I eventually settled on the Monterey Peninsula, a place that truly feels like home. After many years working in the corporate world, I decided to follow a very different path and became a full-time portrait photographer in 2011. I have never looked back! Photography has given me the opportunity to connect with incredible people, tell their stories, and build a career around something I genuinely love. I feel very fortunate to wake up every day and do work that continues to inspire me.
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?
Life is never completely smooth, and I think that is part of what makes it interesting. I always felt that I had “the eye,” but I still had so much to learn. Camera settings, lighting, Photoshop, post-processing, workflow… all the technical pieces that help you feel confident and legitimate in what you do.
While I was still working in corporate, I spent many nights and weekends learning and practicing on my computer. I will always be grateful to my first clients who trusted me and helped me build my portfolio, as well as the wonderful workshops I attended and the mentors who inspired me along the way.
Then I had to learn how to actually run a business. Insurance, accounting, marketing, estimates, invoices, project management… once you start to figure all of that out, there is another part of the journey: working on yourself. Confidence, imposter syndrome, money blocks, learning to value your work. That part never really ends either.
It is definitely an ongoing process, but I think that is what keeps it exciting. There is always something new to learn.
It is an ongoing process, and although I have been doing it for 15 years, I don’t think the learning ever really stops. But that is also what keeps it stimulating. There is always another level to reach, creatively, professionally, and personally.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in portraits, anything connected to people. For the past decade, I have worked with many different lighting styles in my studio, photographing headshots, creative portraits, and personal branding.
One day I may photograph an author or a musician, and the next it could be a businesswoman, a high school senior, or a team of executives in Silicon Valley. I love that variety. It keeps the work interesting and constantly pushes me creatively.
Over the past two years, I have also started photographing cars, which are such a big part of life here on the Monterey Peninsula. I love capturing the lines, curves, and design of a beautiful car, but also the connection and passion a collector/owner has for it.
Over the years, I have also learned to really appreciate natural light, so I can now offer my clients many different looks within one session, from more polished studio portraits to something softer and more natural.
What I am most proud of is the versatility I have developed over time. I don’t feel tied to one single style or type of client. I can adapt the lighting, mood, and setting while still creating images that feel like me. I think that flexibility, along with making people feel comfortable in front of the camera, is a big part of what sets my work apart.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
I grew up in a small town about 30 minutes outside of Lyon, France. One of my favorite childhood memories is waking up after an enormous snowfall. Everything was completely white and immaculate, and there was this magical silence before the neighborhood came alive…
All the kids on our street would grab their sleds and spend hours going up and down a big hill in a nearby field. No plans, no phones, nothing complicated, just snow, friends, and hours of fun. Looking back, it reminds me how wonderful the simplest pleasures in life can be!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.florencecatania.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/florence_catania/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/florencecataniaphotography/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@florencecatania
