Kathleen is a woman with brown hair and green highlights, red lipstick, and tattoos, wearing a plaid blazer and holding a camera, smiling in front of golden curtains.

I’m Kathleen

A little bit Southern, a little bit punk, a whole lotta rock-n-roll.

I'm a PBR lover, hardcore show corner dweller, disco ball queen. You’ll hear me say “hell yeah, brother” more than once. Dale Earnhardt is an icon. Dolly Parton is royalty. And if you get the vibe already, I think we’re gonna get along just fine.

I photograph weddings because I believe in the power of legacy. The flatlays with your grandpa’s cufflinks and your mom’s perfume. The way your partner wipes their eyes when they see you. The button fussing, the dancing, the joy… that’s the good stuff. I live for it.

A black and white photo with motion blur. Kathleen is the primary focus, and she walks past the camera with a glass of champagne in hand. Her blazer is draped over her shoulders. Kathleen is a luxury documentary photographer on the East Coast.

I think it's fair that I give you a little background on my love story to help you understand my passion.

I'm a wife to the most amazing man. For real! I think everyone deserves the kind of love I get to experience. Every day I fall more in love with him. He fills my life with joy, and I'm forever grateful for him!

We've been told we're "marriage goals" and I'll take that. Marriage is such an incredible thing when it's with the right person. And when you find that person? Man, it's the best. Getting to capture the love stories of couples who have this kind of experience makes my heart swell. I love seeing folks in love and with partners that add so much to their lives! It fires me up and I get giddy when I get to experience it up close.

We met at the same summer job while we were still in high school, but didn’t have a close friendship. He was just a guy that worked there! Now, we’re both still involved with that summer job, and everyone loves to tell our story. As do I! How could I not?

He’s supported me from the beginning, even before we were dating. When I lived in Baltimore he would same-day ship me DayQuil because I would refuse to get it myself. My roommates ADORED him, and still do. He cooked us gourmet meals and went to shows while I was a merch girl for bands he absolutely could not stand. I never knew how much I needed him until he swooped in and swept me off my feet out of nowhere. I couldn’t be more thankful and would go on forever about us if I could!

A black and white photo of Kathleen and her husband sitting closely together in Bemelmans Bar in NYC, leaning in for a kiss, with drinks in their hands. They are seated at a round table with small appetizer bowls and a lamp.

Back to you and me though…

My heart truly is in capturing couples in love. The fact that you're in love is enough for me to be head over heels right along with you. No matter what vibe you’re going for: black tie in a museum, rowdy shindig in the woods, or romantic cliffside elopement… your love is incredibly unique, and the way you celebrate it should reflect YOU and your partner, no one else. Take a moment to sit with your love, put Pinterest away, and focus on what matters to the two of you. Maybe it’s having a potluck dinner and family style seating. Maybe it’s a floating checkered dance floor and a martini tower. Or maybe it’s just the two of you (and me), and no one else around you but the trees and their spirits. No matter what, it’s perfect.

Every couple I have the honor of capturing brings a tear to my eye at least once or twice during our time together. I try not to get too emotional while I'm working, but it is so amazing to have a front row seat to love stories that are timeless. All of my couples are madly in love, ready to party with their best friends, and they're always the best people in the world.

It is a pleasure, an honor, and a privilege to be a part of these legacies. The core of my business is serving YOU, my clients, my people, my pals.

My full-time job is as Director of Operations at a dance studio. It keeps me grounded and endlessly inspired. I only take on a few weddings a year so I can show up fully—for my couples, my students, and myself. When you book with me, you get 200% of me on your day. Every moment is about you.

First and foremost, to my core, I am an artist.

I’m a lifelong artist. Musician, photographer, artist, forever creator. My house is full of unfinished crafts, spooky vintage finds, and a very tolerant husband. I am deeply inspired by arthouse and horror films (campy and non-campy), music, 70s/80s/90s aesthetics, and old photos. I’m a sucker for 50s pinups, EC Comics art, and solid branding design. I love spooky things and dream of buying a 60s hearse one day. 90s y’allternative truly encapsulates me and my vibe, and I’m so glad someone coined that term.

Nostalgia plays a huge part in my process.

TW: Parent death & DV

My dad passed when I was 15, and I was a total daddy’s girl. It was crushing, and I am always here to talk to anyone going through the same thing. But I learned, through our thousands of printed photos and home videos, that I had a huge piece of him always available to me. I am blessed. I have a wonderful dad and mom, and they both loved film and taking home videos. He was loved by thousands, and their stories and photos have been so meaningful since his passing.

Kathleen and her dad stand on a wooden dock with a large wooden ship in the background. Kathleen is holding something in her hands, and her dad is holding a water bottle. The ship has tall masts, rigging, and ropes.

A man and a young child playing together, the child has eyes closed and is smiling, while the man looks at the child with a gentle expression.

Woman with glasses smiling outdoors, next to a baby sleeping in a car seat, bundled in a blanket. This is Kathleen and her mom. Kathleen is a luxury documentary photographer on the East Coast. She services DC, Maryland, NYC, New England.

Kathleen as a child stands on a wooden ship, holding a small digicam and taking a photo of the person taking this photo. She is on an old wooden ship.

You are ALWAYS worth safety, health, wellness, and truly unconditional love.

I’m here for you, always!

I'm also trauma-informed. That means I value consent, communication, accessibility, and safety above all else. I ask about mobility, sensory needs, and comfort preferences from the very beginning. I include alt text, closed captions, and have an accessibility plugin on my website. I am always open to learning more, so please don’t hesitate to share tips, resources, or knowledge if you want to!

I deal with depression, anxiety, and PTSD. I understand how big it can feel to trust someone with your story. I don’t take that lightly. This space—and your session—is about you. Your pace. Your values. Your comfort. Every body, every background, every identity is welcome and celebrated here.

Want to know more about what being a trauma-informed photographer means to me (and how it shows up in my work)? I wrote a whole post about it—click here to read it.

Are you sold on me? LET'S ROCK N'ROLL!

Images by Amaris Sachs Photography & Leandra Creative Co. Photo

Black and white photo of a hand holding a glass with a textured pattern, casting a shadow against a plain background. Kathleen is a luxury documentary photographer on the East Coast. She services DC, Maryland, NYC, New England, and international.

Little bit more about me.

I would totally live in the woods.

Seriously. I grew up in them, and miss them every day! Our long term plan is to be back on the family farm and chilling in the woods and by the river every day.

I’m a huge fan of solo travel and hiking, and am a major advocate for safety. Especially when solo traveling as a woman! Always happy to share my tips and tricks.

Kathleen sits in Ralph's Coffee in New York City, holding a mug of hot tea to her lips. She is smiling over the mug at the person holding the camera.

I’m a musician.

I’ve been playing since i was a wee one, and my mom has always been my biggest inspiration. I play piano, guitar, and sing. I love to dabble on all sorts of instruments, and am excited for the day that I have a huge music room and recording studio!

I’m also a huge music buff. Jazz, big band, soul, blues, hardcore, neo-soul, you name it. The only thing I don’t listen to is top 40s. typically. I’m always up for a live show or concert, too, so hit me up!

A german shepherd looks right up at the camera, nose-first.

I’m a dog mama.

I mean honestly this pup is a big reason I wake up in the morning. Look at that sweet face!!!

He’s a full blooded GSD and has all the energy in the world. We love to cuddle, tug, run (he runs, I watch), and bark for no reason.

If you’ve got a pupper, let’s hang out at a dog park some time!

Kathleen Baker | NYC & DC Wedding Photographer

Editorial & Documentary Photography for the Rad + the Misfits

Serving New York, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Europe, and worldwide.

I'm a library FREAK. I love them SO much.

Also a total nature freak. Growing up in the woods really makes you appreciate the little things, like the way light comes through the leaves.

Is it weird? Is it off-putting? I want to see it.

This is a river back home in WNC, and the hike is just a BLAST. It's like an obstacle course the whole time, for 5 miles.

My mom has historically taken photos of me in family graveyards, and this is the most recent. You're welcome!

I have the coolest and most amazing friends.

I will always do the goofy weird thing for a shoot, just to see how it goes.

My husband and I go to NYC regularly, and adore it every time. We're still rural folk forever, though!

We love to camp! In our rooftop tent, in the car, or in a tent. Just get us outside!

I love using fun props for shoots, and especially the ones that look like trash.

I'm a mini golf monster. Holes-in-one across the board.

Our goal is to see all the national parks as a couple (and future family) and we're doing all the fun nostalgic things like the stickers and books!