Today we’d like to introduce you to Katharine Witt.
Hi Katharine, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’m a full-time photographer serving beautiful Mackinac Island and historic Saint Ignace, Michigan.
My love for Mackinac Island started early—at just six months old, my family brought me here for my very first trip, and I’ve been captivated ever since. As a child, I vacationed on the island every year, always dreaming of one day working here. In 2015, after my freshman year at CMU, I got the opportunity to spend a season on Mackinac, working at what used to be Martha’s Sweet Shop, The Leather Coral, and waitressing evenings at The Mustang Lounge. At the time, I thought it would be my last chance to live and work on the island—just a wonderful summer memory.
A few months after returning to CMU, life took an unexpected turn. My mom, Rose, who had always dreamed of living and working on Mackinac, was offered a job, and my dad took early retirement so they could move to the island and run a B&B. While they were there, I visited any chance I got.
In 2018, I graduated from CMU with a B.A.A. in Public Relations and started doing freelance social media work. During that time, I visited my parents often and realized I was missing out on an incredible life on Mackinac. In 2019 and 2020, I worked alongside them, helping run two B&Bs while growing my photography and social media business on the side. Not only did I fall in love with island life, but I also fell in love with an island boy—who would later become my fiancé.
In 2020, I had a horrible bike accident that forced me to put my photography and social media work on pause while I recovered. By the end of the season, I was feeling great again, and I couldn’t imagine leaving Mackinac or my boyfriend for the winter—so I stayed. My first winter on the island was beyond magical.
At the start of 2021, my mom transitioned to working at the incredible Bicycle Street Inn. With the support of my parents and boyfriend, I was able to pursue my dream of becoming a full-time photographer. In February 2021, I officially launched Katharine Rose Photography, and it took off—better than I ever could have imagined.
After three and a half years as a full-time island resident, my fiancé and I moved to the mainland and purchased our first home in Saint Ignace in July 2023. While I absolutely loved living on Mackinac year-round, this new chapter has been so exciting. Now, I get to enjoy mainland living while continuing my photography business on the island and expanding my services to Saint Ignace. It truly is the best of both worlds, and I couldn’t be more grateful.
Photography means the world to me — not just because I love it, but because I know how special it is to freeze time and hold onto moments you never want to forget.
If you’re looking to capture memories on Mackinac Island or in Saint Ignace, I’d love to work with you! Whether it’s senior photos, a surprise proposal, a family session, or saying “I do,” send me a message—let’s create something beautiful together.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road, but I think that’s what makes my journey so meaningful.
I fell in love with Mackinac Island at a really young age and always dreamed of building a life there, but it didn’t happen in a straight line. After graduating from college, I was doing freelance social media work and still trying to figure out my path while watching my parents build a life on the island. It took time for me to realize that I wanted to take a leap and create something of my own there.
One of the biggest challenges came in 2020 when I had a serious bike accident that forced me to completely pause my photography and work while I recovered. That was a really difficult time because everything felt uncertain, and I had to step away from something I was just starting to build.
There were also the more gradual struggles. Building a business from the ground up, navigating seasonal work on the island, and taking the risk to go full-time without any guarantees. It wasn’t instant success; it took consistency, long hours, and a lot of trust in myself.
But those challenges really shaped my journey. They pushed me to be more resilient, to take risks, and to fully commit to what I love. When I officially launched my business in 2021, it grew faster than I expected, but that growth came after years of figuring things out behind the scenes.
Looking back, I wouldn’t change any of it. The obstacles made the outcome so much more rewarding, and they’re a big part of why I value what I do today—capturing moments that people never want to forget.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a natural light lifestyle and portrait photographer based primarily on Mackinac Island, and I specialize in capturing genuine, candid moments for families, couples, and intimate weddings. My work is very emotion-driven. I focus less on stiff posing and more on creating an experience where people can relax, be themselves, and actually enjoy the moment while I document it naturally.
Over time, I’ve become especially known for my work on Mackinac Island. I know the landscape, the light, and the flow of the island so well, which allows me to guide my clients in a way that feels effortless while still creating really timeless, elevated images. A lot of my clients come to me because they want that balance of beautiful scenery and real, authentic connection.
What I’m most proud of is building a business that feels very personal. My clients trust me with some of the most meaningful moments in their lives, and I don’t take that lightly. I’ve been able to grow largely through word of mouth, social media and returning clients, which means a lot to me because it shows that people not only love their photos but also the experience of working together.
I think what sets me apart is the combination of that experience and intention. I’m not just showing up to take photos—I’m helping create a moment. Whether it’s calming nerves on a wedding day, working with kids during a family session, or adjusting on the fly with unpredictable island weather, I bring a level of flexibility and care that helps people feel comfortable. That’s when the most meaningful images happen.
At the end of the day, I want my work to feel timeless and honest—photos that bring people right back to how it felt, not just how it looked.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I think luck has played a part, but not in a huge, defining way.
I’ve definitely had some “good luck,” like having a connection to Mackinac Island and being able to build a business in a place that already means a lot to people. That’s something I don’t take for granted. I’ve also been really lucky with the kind of clients I get, most of my growth has come from word of mouth, which is pretty special.
But there’s also been moments that felt like the opposite of luck. My bike accident in 2020 is a big one. I had to completely stop working for a while right when I was trying to build momentum, and that was really frustrating.
I think over time I’ve realized it’s less about luck and more about how you handle things. The hard moments slowed me down, but they also made me more sure of what I wanted to do. And the good moments only really mattered because I was ready to take advantage of them.
So yeah, luck is part of it, but it’s definitely not the whole story.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.katharinerosephotography.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katharinerose.photography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KatharineRose.Photo
