Katie Jane Photography opens studio in downtown Newton

Being behind the lens is Katie Eilander’s passion. For the past 11 years, she has captured special moments between brides and grooms, families and newborn babies and their parents.

Katie Jane Photography’s studio has been established in downtown Newton, and a ribbon cutting was held by the chamber of commerce earlier this month at the studio, 101 First Ave. E. Suite 6.

Eilander said when she graduated from Newton High School she used all of her graduation money to buy a camera with hopes of one day starting a business.

“My original goal was to go into nursing but it wasn’t the right fit for me,” she said. “I’ve always been a creative person and I kind of wanted to have a creative outlet.”

The Newton native said she began her clientele by photographing family and friends, and she was soon being referred by them. She said she has witnessed families and individuals grow from their senior photos to engagement sessions to weddings and newborns.

“I always get great feedback from clients,” Eilander said. “Parents feel like its going to be a nightmare with their kids being crazy ... but then when they get their pictures back they say ‘wow, you captured the best emotions of my child.’ That’s one of the reasons why I continue to do it because that feedback gives me energy.”

The studio allows Eilander to use the unique space to incorporate different themes and backdrops. She has created a theme that involves metal, gold, rose gold and copper. Additionally, Eilander said one of the main reasons for the studio was to have a reliable indoor option for photo sessions.

“I had to turn down sessions in 2017 because a lot of people wanted indoor sessions,” Eilander said. “The weather is a big factor in photography so I felt like after the second or third reschedule those sessions would work best in a studio.”

Eilander’s business has was also jump-started by holding a Christmas mini session in 2017. She said she gained 10 clients from that mini photo shoot who ended up scheduling a full session.

The “Hero and Me” sessions are wrapping up this month, which was an idea Eilander came up with to photograph a firefighter and his son.

“The wife came to me and said her little boy looks up to his dad who is a fireman, so he wore fire boots and firefighter suit during the shoot just like his dad,” she said. “Then I opened up that idea for people to take photos with their heroes whether that person is a paramedic, police officer or doctor.”

Photo shoots aren’t always as easy as some people may think. Eilander said she really has to “work for it” when it comes to photographing children.

“The kids are my favorite part … sometimes I have to hit myself on the head with a shoe to make them laugh,” she said. “I’ve acted like a monkey before, and that’s the fun part about kids.”

Another favorite part of the job for Eilander is capturing weddings and allowing brides and grooms and to look back on moments that maybe they missed or had forgotten about. Another aspect she has recently added is videography.

“Weddings are emotional, and I think I’ve cried at every single wedding I’ve photographed,” she said. “The first dance is usually what gets me.”

In 2018, the goal for Katie Jane Photography is to continue to veer away from posed photography and capture “real emotions.” Eilander said she continues to think of ways to stand out as a photographer as it is a competitive field in any community.

“My vision is to capture the emotions and interactions between families,” she said. “As a small business in Newton sometimes it can be hard to strive. It’s a hard market to get through as a photographer — you have to set yourself apart from others.”

Upcoming mini sessions include an Easter session from noon to 4 p.m. March 3, 4 and 11. Mother-daughter sessions are to be announced.

To contact Eilander visit her Facebook page “Katie Jane Photography” or email katieeilanderphotography@gmail.com.

Contact Kayla Singletary at 641-792-3121 ext. 6533 or ksingletary@newtondailynews.com