Cathrine Westergaard is a native New Yorker, born to a Broadway and film producer. She spent her childhood amidst the world of auditions, rehearsals and red carpet openings. After studying in some of the most prestigious art schools in the U.S., Cathrine went on to pursue a career as a painter until she picked up her first camera. From that moment forward taking photos quickly became her passion. Cathrine has done plenty of editorial work for prestigious fashion magazines and has also photographed celebrities and worked with fashion houses, record labels and top publishing companies. Represented by Lesley Zahara Represents Cathrine currently resides in New York City with her son Jaeden.
06.23.09
Diving In and Splashing Around
If you have a degree in what field is it? I’ve studied at some of the most prestigious art schools in the U.S.; as for a degree, maybe later....
What was your strangest assignment? Recently I had an assignment for a magazine that definitely crossed over into the bizarre. I was shooting a celebrity who had not been informed she would be wearing summer clothes in 38-degree weather. She let me shoot two images and then proceeded to leave the shoot without letting me know. It was odd to turn around only to realize she was gone.
Which photographer would you like to meet? Tim Walker. I have many artistic heroes but his work is simply magical.
What famous person (living or dead) would you most like to photograph? That’s a tough question because I see my photographs as a way to honor my life and my artistic and spiritual mentors. If I were to choose one it would be Maya Angelou. I saw her speak many years ago and by the end of her show the entire audience was in tears; her performance of “Phenomenal Woman” was the icing on the cake that evening.
Aside from your camera and lighting, what item could you not work without? I need great shoes and a great team.
Is there anything you would not digitally retouch? Fortunately to date I have never been asked to alter someones face or body. I take photos to celebrate different kinds of beauty so this would be uncomfortable for me.
From where do your best ideas originate? There is nothing that does not inspire me in one way or another. I see art in everything and get equally inspired by a textured old wall as I do by a great song.
How do you overcome a creative block? I shoot and shoot and keep shooting... and eventually the air clears. It’s no different than any aspect of life for me: I just dive in, splash around and the next thing I know I’m halfway across the lake.
Do you have creative pursuits other than photography? Painting, film, music and being a mother are my other true loves. I approach life as a work of art which makes it exciting and open to interpretation.
What music are you listening to right now? To be totally honest right now I am listening to “Thomas The Tank Engine” and I’m pretty close to knowing all the words. Other than that Pandora.com is my station. I can enter my subject's favorite artists and we're set for hours on end.
What’s your approach to balancing work and life? My work is my life. Does that count?
What’s your favorite quote? “Those who desire to give up Freedom in order to gain Security, will not have, nor do they deserve, either one. —Thomas Jefferson "
Do you have any advice for people just entering the profession? Make sure you are truly in love with your work and then go for it. I really believe you must be prepared to stand strong and know in your heart you won’t give up—no matter what.
What’s one thing you wish you knew when you started your career? That I would make it through all the bumps and bruises. There were a few times I wasn’t so sure.