April 12, 2019
BBW MEMBER INTERVIEW WITH: Katie Bourgeois, Owner at Newborn Documentaries
What is your name and occupation?
My name is Katie Bourgeois and I am the photographer and filmmaker behind Newborn Documentaries.
How long have you been a Boston Business Women’s Member?
Less than a year
What is your instagram handle?
@newborndocumentaries
Were you born and raised in Boston? If not, what brought you here?
I was born in Concord at Emerson Hospital and grew up in Acton.
Tell us more about your job or company and what led you to your career?
I had been doing photography for a long time and worked for 3 years on a documentary film. Then my nephew was born and I fell in love with newborn photography. I just loved documenting his early life and realized that not many photographers were using video or a documentary approach to their photography. So I decided to fill in the gap and start doing it professionally. It's something that makes me very, very happy.
What would your clients say about you and your company?
All of my clients are extremely grateful that I've helped freeze these precious moments in time. They gush about being able to give these images to their kids once they are grown. More than anything they tell me how priceless it is to have their newborn documented. It's never a regretful investment.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Probably to not take other people's advice! I try not to give people advice even when they ask for it because I know my answer isn't necessarily right for them. I think we all work in different ways. There is so much advice out there about how to be more productive or this or that. I find it much more helpful to pick up little tid bits that work for me and leave the rest. When someone is giving unsolicited advice it is more about them than it is about you and it usually isn't going to work.
What is your favorite book?
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
What is your secret weapon? An app, a tool, a organization method, anything?! (Can be a personal or professional life tool)
My Sony camera. I am obsessed with it. I love that it is so small but shoots in 4k and slow motion. I still feel giddy about my camera and I've had it for months now.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Don't get involved in any drama. Focus on kindness.
How do you enjoy your free time?
I'm a huge gardener and hiker. I also am passionate about nature conservancy and restoration. I'm currently removing invasive plants (burning bush) by hand from the woods behind my house and replacing it with natives. I'm also creating a massive prairie style planting of wildflowers and grasses inspired by Piet Oudolf.
What is something that not many people know about you?
As a kid, I went to a summer camp called Pony Farm!
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