Interview With Carlee Tatum

So many of you have left really nice comments about the photography in the new book. Thank you!

I thought it would be fun to give you an inside look into the life of Carlee Tatum, the main photographer of Botanical Knits and the talent behind these gorgeous photos. I asked her a series of questions about her work and life and here is what she had to say...

My name is Carlee Tatum I am a twenty something year old obsessed with my cats, in love with my husband, and always photographing something.

What I love most about being a photographer is the experiences that come along with it. When you really start moving forward into the photography/blogging world you get to meet a lot of people and experience things that you may not get to at other times. You learn so much about others and it has really helped me to grow and even step slightly out of my comfort zone. I have learned that there really is no such thing as being an introverted photographer. (as much as I may have wanted to be) It's a very exciting and busy life, and I love it. 

I have somewhat always been obsessed with cameras for some reason that I could never really describe. The first camera I purchased was an automatic point-and-shoot I bought off my eldest sister for 75 bucks. That camera was like pure gold to me, I took it with me everywhere I went and still have it to this day. My sisters have always been very supportive of me, I managed to even get them every now and again to dress up and let me take photos of them. I liked pretending I was doing a photo shoot for a big magazine. To me it was just something fun to do. As I kept growing up I realized the point and shoot wasn't going to do me justice anymore and I day dreamed of owning an actual camera. For my first year wedding anniversary, my family all chipped in and surprised me with a Canon Rebel XS. From then on I still didn't really think much about wanting to become a photographer or what was going to happen next, I just wanted to play. So I did just that and before I knew it people were asking me to do photo shoots for them. I guess I still don't really know what inspired me to start taking pictures. There is just an unexplained high from photographing something beautiful, whatever that may be, and letting others see it how you do.

There really isn't one particular thing i enjoy photographing, it always tends to change as to what I am interested in at the time or how I feel. I enjoy nature quite a bit though, capturing something delicate even if its just a weed. Then again as I look at my previous photos my cat manages to be center of attention. 

 I started "Pretty Minded" mostly out of curiosity. I was watching a lot of other woman as their websites were coming to life and their stories, ideas, and thoughts being heard. When I started out I didn't really think much of it. Originally "Pretty Minded" was just something I wanted to experiment with, but before I knew it I fell in love with blogging and sharing my photography. It gave me a chance to meet so many wonderful people from a variety of places. I am so thankful for my curiosity.

 I am always dipping my hand into a variety of things. Besides photography, I love painting and sewing, I typically always have some kind of craft or project i am working on. 

As for the future I'm not one for planning, I am one of those people who takes things as they come. I do hope to expand "Pretty Minded" and am currently planning on a few new features. 

Thank you Carlee! Check out what Carlee has been up to lately by visiting her blog at prettyminded.com.

I am so happy to have worked with Carlee on Botanical Knits and couldn't be happier with how the photos turned out. Here is a collage of my personal favorites of the nature shots that Carlee contributed. 

(Some of which didn't make it into the book for lack of space.)

I am so impressed by how Carlee really captures the beauty of everyday life in her photography. 

Pretty. Minded. Indeed.