Meet Catie Laffoon | Photographer + Film Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Catie Laffoon and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Catie, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
A lot of people think it’s risky to pursue a career in a creative field or their passion, whatever that passion may be. I think it depends on how you define risk. I’ve always looked at it from the perspective of happiness and no regrets. What is more risky? To live a life where you know exactly what you are going to get? You punch a clock and cash the paycheck and you don’t love what you do, so you sit and wonder, “What if?” Or you take the leap and you bet on yourself and pursue the thing you are passionate about full force? Even in times where I haven’t been financially stable, I’ve always felt happier pursuing the thing that fills my cup. I feel like it’s riskier not to go after your dreams – to be stuck in a mind loop always wondering, “What if? What could I have done? What was I capable of if I’d only had the guts to go after it?”

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
As a photographer I’m very protective of my sets. Everything is done to make the person being photographed feel safe, seen and comfortable. That means I have to speak up in order to run my sets the way I want to. I see myself as the ultimate advocate for my clients. I have very clear rules/boundaries when it comes to my sets. I have a closed set – no label people, managers, agents, entourages, etc. If you are not there to move the shoot forward you are not invited to set. This is very specifically so that whomever I am photographing can relax and we can create authentic moments and keep the day moving. I also don’t have a preconceived notion of who someone is before we work together. I’m not interested in taking a photo of who I think someone is – I want to capture them, their authentic self. I create the play space and a playlist and together we create moments together. If there’s an audience of people who’s job it is to manage your work/career it’s very hard to get lost in the moment. I have found that clients are extremely appreciative of how I work. It makes it more fun. Because, at the end of the day, we are taking photos, not solving world peace (sadly), so we should be having fun.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My favorite spots around LA…there would of course be daily coffees between Obet and Dels + Go Get ‘Em Tiger + Dinosaur Coffee. I do love my coffee. A taco tour that would include HomeState Tacos and Guisados. Relaxing dinner vibes at All Time. A Malibu beach day at Point Dume with lunch or dinner at Malibu Cafe. We’d go on some of my favorite secret hiking trails with my dog. Take in a concert at the Troubador or Hotel Cafe. Maybe catch a movie at Cinespia at Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Sit in my friends backyard under her lemon tree drinking rose and smelling the California Jasmine that perfumes the air at dusk.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
When I was a baby production assistant I found myself a part of a commercial production team that gave me a home – a safe place to learn, fall apart, struggle, be inspired and dream. I was 23 and I didn’t know anyone in the industry and had been hustling on various projects from music videos to features for a couple of years. Being a PA isn’t fun and I’m not speaking of the work or hours, although those are brutal as well, but this is pre #MeToo and usually being the only girl on set I found myself always on guard and having to take precautions to keep my mind and body safe. Then I found an amazing producer, Rob Stark and his Production Manager, Amanda Kessler and Coordinator Melanie McDonagh. They ran a safe, family style set. It really helped open my eyes to what a set could and should be. They were all kind and personable and didn’t inspire through fear – they were all just really good at their jobs and they brought crew members on who were like minded. It’s very much shaped who I am moving forward through my career. They also provided a safe place for me to be in my early 20’s and deal with some pretty traumatic stuff and I knew I’d have a job. There aren’t a lot of people like that in the entertainment industry. I will always be grateful to them.

Website: catielaffoon.com

Instagram: catielaffoon

Linkedin: catielaffoon