Meet Dani Kato | Photographer

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

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

Getting where I am has most definitely been a journey of self discovery.

In society we’ve always been told that to be successful you need to pick a career that will provide financial stability throughout your life. That leads to the majority of us choosing careers that are known to be “safe.” In my case, I graduated top of my class with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Finance. I was very excited to begin working as a professional. As time went by, I found myself in a corporate setting and realized this was not what I was truly passionate about.

Time passed and I became a mom to a beautiful baby girl. I found my heart being pulled in so many different directions. Between trying to adjust to becoming a mom, having my days numbered to have to return to my job, not wanting to put my baby in daycare at 6 weeks, my husband leaving to go to military training when our daughter was 15 days old and dealing with postpartum depression. It took a toll on me. I made the call to ditch the corporate world and find other means to stay afloat financially.

When the pandemic happened I was blessed to find a remote job in the finance field that allowed flexibility in such uncertain times.  I knew it wouldn’t last forever since it was a contract. The contract came to an end and I needed to figure out what I was going to do next. We had additionally just welcomed our second baby to the world so I needed even more flexibility and time to dedicate to my children.

I pondered on what truly made me happy. Realized I didn’t want to live life doing something I didn’t like and realized that photography has always been constant in my life & it truly makes me happy. I was the girl with the camera in hand at events in high school always capturing my friends and family. And 10 years later, here I was.. camera still in hand and feeling the same way. I thought to myself.. There are so many people who are successful without having a traditional employee job and make this a career for themselves. Why not me too? So I decided to give myself the opportunity. I invested my savings, took the risk and here I am today making my dream a reality.

If there is anything I am proud of it is believing in myself after many years of thinking I was never going to be able to do something I enjoyed for a living. And I truly hope my story resonates and inspires others that there is hope. You can change careers & it is never too late to do something that makes you happy.

My work is simply a reflection of my journey. It captures the real essence of what makes us all unique. It reflects the beauty of everyday life, moments & connections. When you truly feel happy about who you are & what you’re doing you are able to bring that happiness out of those who are around you & believe me that is what makes ALL the difference.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

I would have never been able to pursue this as a career without my children coming into this world turning it upside down in the best way possible. They truly give me strength and courage to better myself and do something I love. I want to show them it is possible to pursue your dreams.

The support of my husband is everything to me. He is my partner in this and watches my babies while I’m out at every session and constantly believes in me. My parents, who are also small business owner’s and raised me with a very strong work ethic and have never failed to show me support. All of my family & friends, that have believed in me since the beginning and show support in so many other ways. Truly thankful for such an amazing village behind me.

Last but not least, my success all in all is owed to God because without Him I am nothing.

Website: www.photosbydk.com

Instagram: @photosbydk_

Facebook: DK Photography