Capturing heartwarming moments

Katie Kolenberg founded Heartstory Photography following the birth of her first child (she lovingly refers to the business as her “middle child”). Sixteen years later, Heartstory has grown to be one of the most awarded photography studios in Australia with a mission to give families their most meaningful memories as heirloom photographic artwork. In 2020, Katie founded her personal brand, Katie K.

Tell us about your journey in business.

I’ve always been drawn to entrepreneurship – it just took me a while to find ‘the thing’ that fitted me best! I took to business like it was always meant to be my path, with a rare balance of analytical and creative skills, and taught myself everything on the job. Honestly, I’ve never stopped learning, and I believe that business is the best vehicle for personal growth and evolution that exists. Adaptability is what’s kept our photography business growing each year since it began. We are now a team of six in a commercial space in Belconnen and serve over 300 Canberra families every year.

I began my personal brand in 2020, motivated by my own lived experiences and the desire to help creative business owners be profitable without chaos and burnout. Three years on, I lead and empower women to create lives that feel free, fun and fulfilling, fuelled by creativity, curiosity and the courage to be themselves and follow their hearts, passions and intuition. I do this through speaking, self-discovery and creative programs and workshops, and holistic business coaching.

What tactics have you found most effective for building professional relationships?

Getting to know people and being genuinely interested in who they are (which is a prerequisite for what we do at Heartstory) is the best way of building relationships. Most of our joint ventures, collaborations and other partnerships have come about from clients or friends of clients, or other relationships we’ve built in Canberra. We believe in values-aligned partnerships and collaborations, rather than a transactional one.

How important is continuous learning?

Continuous learning in business is essential. I face new situations with grit and courage, referring to the evidence that I’ve built over the years that I can do hard things. We got through that, and we can get through this. And if something doesn’t work, there’s a way through; we just have to look harder or think outside the box. We have a budget for professional development and we commit to different learning opportunities as they arise, and nearly always have a business coach by our sides as well.

What advice do you have for aspiring business women?

Figure out what makes you tick and how you can harness your unique perspectives and passions within your work. Learn as much about business as you possibly can. Running a photography business is more about business than it is about photography.

What are some important qualities women require to excel in business?

To succeed in business you need adaptability, creativity, passion and resilience. You also need to be supported, and this can look different for all of us, but usually involves people on your ‘life team’ such as managers, assistants or VAs, a therapist, a coach, a financial advisor, an accountant, a lawyer, a cleaner, a network of health professionals, a tech guru, and a supportive family. I would add that mental, emotional and physical wellness is so important and often overlooked with the quest to succeed in a very fast, masculine world. Women who slow down, take care of themselves, and get curious about their ‘why,’ are the women who will achieve the most fulfilling version of success.

What are your thoughts on the importance of workplace culture?

The pandemic changed us and employees no longer accept that it’s okay for work to be unpleasant and unfulfilling. They want to feel connected to their work and the community they serve, and they want to feel valued. As a relatively new leader and managing director, I am doing my best to create a workplace culture that is compassionate, inclusive, flexible, fun and committed to helping my team reach their goals in life and career. I love my team and I don’t know where I’d be without them!

How does your business contribute to your local community?

We support dozens of schools and charity organisations in Canberra every year by donating to and sponsoring events. We have raised over $50,000 for PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia) and support other national charities as well. We also have a local business partnership program where we support other small businesses with collaborations and joint ventures to expand their audiences and create new opportunities. Community is incredibly important to us!

To find out more, email Katie Kolenberg at [email protected], call 0418 863 488 or visit heartstoryphotography.com.au and katiek.com.au