Katy Hernandez, Styled Collective Co

Once she shared her political views I didn’t feel safe attending any styled shoots by her. I didn’t get my money back.

I cancelled my ticket because she’s maga, and loud about it.

Nope

I joined Katy and several other photographers for a shoot at Cannon Beach and Hug Point. There were two model couples, one of which are a well know couple (Nicole and Christian - LOVE them!), and then another couple who were just a couple and not professional by any means. When I attended the shoot, Katy had her husband and kids there, which, as a mom, is normally something that wouldn't bother me, but struck me as odd. The flat lay was gorgeous, but we weren't able to mess with it at all like I've experienced at other styled shoots. Katy was also largely uninvolved in the shoot. She took her own photos and videos for content, but it felt as though she was just getting her content without really leading anything. All of her models at her shoots and on her instagram are white cishet couples. When we moved to Hug Point, one of the attendees wasn't able to get a parking spot in the actual lot, and complained to Katy about it because this attendee had to park on the highway and had also happened to bring her two kids with her. Katy didn't really do anything about it, which was disappointing. Obviously, the whole "Charlie Kirk" thing on her Instagram really turned me off to any of her shoots. Overall, it wasn't a horrible experience at the shoot itself, but she's not someone I would ever willingly give my money to ever again.

Nope!

So this review is actually being posted for a styled shoot that I booked as an attendee, but never made it to. I paid a $575 retainer for a shoot with Styled Collective Co. and was eagerly awaiting the date, as this venue is highly sought after and would be a boost to anyone's portfolio! About 4 months prior to the styled shoot, I was made aware of photos that the host had posted (on her business account) of her in MAGA gear, saying that "it's ok to be brave" in loudly supporting the Trump/MAGA agenda. This immediately made me, a queer person, uncomfortable in shooting with her or supporting her business financially, and I wrote to withdraw myself from the event. Katy, the host, responded, saying that she doesn't discuss her personal politics within her business (even though the photo of her was posted to her photography account) and reminded me that my deposit would not be refunded. I can't speak to the value of her shootouts, but I did want to throw this in the ring so other queer or marginalized photographers know where their money is going.

Simply taking money from and working with queer people does not automatically make you inclusive. It does not make you a safe space, especially when your actions and the people you support are rooted in stripping away their freedoms, their rights, and diminishing their existence.

The first shoot of the day began at sunrise, which went very well and was beautiful. However, our second shoot wasn’t until sunset and we opted as a group to go sit down and have a bite to eat before driving further into the gorge for the final shoot.
At this meal the host Katy brought up some “drama” and that she had been getting “bullied” by someone who was supposed to attend today but backed out.
She shared that she had posted her sympathies to her story for Charlie Kirk and his family (this was only a couple weeks after the incident) and that one of the people who signed up to join this retreat reached out to her saying she no longer wished to come knowing that the host supported Charlie Kirk, requested a refund of her $275, and “shamed her” in the hosts words. She proceeding to victimize herself and say this her was bullying and harassing her which led to other photographers reaching out bullying and harassing her and then her and the rest of the group proceeded to turn this into a politic discussion in which they all voiced their harsh opinions about the “liberals” and how hateful we are and how “that side just can’t help but be aggressive bullies” etc. and this went on for the rest of the lunch.
I had to sit there and be quiet as a very clear outlier in this group. When prompted to speak I just said that I agreed that harassment was wrong regardless of the circumstances. They went on to talk about their political beliefs, support of Trump, how they’re supposedly not hateful and “they book everyone regardless of their color or sexual orientation” which is such a joke if you look at the majority of these women’s portfolios including Katy. It was truly the most uncomfortable situation I’d ever been in, I knew I was NOT in a safe space.

It’s not too late to become a better person.