It takes audacity to pack up your life, move to a new country, learn a foreign language, and build a career from the ground up. For Katie Donnelly, doing so wasn’t just a life change—it was the start of a thriving photography business in the heart of Paris.
A New York native, Katie first discovered her passion for photography in high school. But it was love that eventually led her to Paris, a city that would become her home and the backdrop for her successful studio. Her path was far from easy, as she navigated the complexities of French bureaucracy, built her company from scratch, and later expanded her team after a harrowing battle with cancer during the pandemic. Katie’s story offers valuable insights into building a life and business abroad and finding the courage to face obstacles head-on.
As the founder of Katie Donnelly Photography, she runs a highly successful family portrait studio. Her beautiful studio, with its walls adorned with stunning portraits, serves as a testament to her talent. It’s a space where clients can view their photos in a cinematic setting, celebrating the special moments she and her team capture.
We recently sat down with Katie at a cozy café in the 6th arrondissement to learn more about her journey. Her story is one of resilience, adaptability, and choosing to find joy even when life presents its most difficult challenges.
Visual Celebrations
Katie refers to her work as “relationship portraits,” focusing on couples and families, but also working with individuals. Together with her team, she shoots throughout Paris, using locations that hold special meaning for each client. Whether it’s capturing a personal journey or a relationship with the city itself, Katie says these images are meant to be a visual celebration.
“So much of our life is lived and lost on a hard drive or on our phones,” she explains. “It’s important to have those moments as tangible pieces of artwork that you can love every day.”
Her studio offers museum-quality prints designed to last for over 80 years, ensuring that these cherished memories become heirlooms. The entire process is deeply personal, always beginning with a conversation to understand her client’s vision and create a unique and meaningful photo session.
Making Paris Home
Katie’s journey with photography began as an elective in high school. Years later, while applying to university as a language major, her mother’s simple observation—”You always have your camera”—pushed her to apply to a single photography school. The rest, as they say, is history. After gaining experience as an assistant and helping to open a family studio in the U.S., a serendipitous meeting with a French man changed her entire trajectory.
