ABOUT ME

Kate Trabalka is a photographer and photojournalist based in East Tennessee. One of her biggest passions is meeting new people and helping tell their stories. Whether it be getting to know someone during a portrait session or documenting someone’s life through a photo story, connecting with people is one of Kate's favorite activities. 

As someone who grew up in the small town of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, Kate understands the importance of community, and that is a feeling she wants to build and sustain with her clients. Through her storytelling, Kate not only wants to preserve memories and moments, but she wants to represent her subjects well and capture a feeling that will leave an impact on people.

Kate graduated with a master's degree in journalism in 2023 from the University of Missouri School of Journalism, where she studied photojournalism and served as a graduate research assistant, coordinator and social media lead with both Pictures of the Year International and College Photographer of the Year. She also worked as a photographer for the Columbia Missourian and online editor for Vox Magazine during her time in Missouri. 

Kate has worked as both an editorial intern and freelance fact-checker for Dance Teacher Magazine and Dance Business Weekly, and she was a lecturer for East Tennessee State University's Department of Media and Communication during the 2023-2024 academic year.

Kate is currently a copy-editor and fact-checker for SUCCESS magazine. She is also a dance teacher and competition team choreographer at The Dance Company of Johnson City, as well as the dance team coach at both Science Hill High School and Milligan University. Kate graduated from ETSU in May 2021 with a bachelor's degree in media and communication, with a concentration in journalism and a minor in dance.

(Photo by Madi Winfield)