Business Spotlight: Kate Stegmeier - keheadspa (Esthetician & Spa Owner)
BEHIND THE LENS WITH: Kate Stegmeier
Esthetician, Owner of Sanctuary Scalp and Skin Fairfield
Kate told me she’d never had professional headshots done before. During our consultation, she told me that it finally felt time. After years of working in spas, stepping away to raise her kids, and now coming out of what she called “the fog of toddlerhood,” she’s building something that’s fully her own.
She’s been in the industry for 15 years, with a background that goes beyond traditional esthetics. Kate trained extensively in massage therapy before focusing more deeply on skincare, and she told me that’s what clients notice most. “People always say I have magic hands,” she said, explaining that her understanding of touch, anatomy, and energy is what sets her work apart. She’s now shifting her business toward more machine-based treatments like HydraFacial's, based on what she’s seen actually deliver results over time.
Looking ahead, Kate shared a vision for her future. She imagines a large space in downtown Westport or someplace similar, a growing team, and eventually something she can hand down to her children. She even spoke about creating a place for her special-needs son to work someday, “in whatever way feels right for him”. This session was about creating imagery that supports that future. *At the time of this blog post Kate has realized her dream with a new Spa located in Fairfield (link to her website at the bottom) Congratulations Kate!!
Behind The Lens: Crafting the Photoshoot
Behind the scenes video of Kate’s photoshoot
Kate showed up ready to just trust the process and warmed up to the camera pretty quickly! I really do believe this is because of the time I invest early in the process through the Zoom consultation. The Beauty and wellness space is a fun industry to photograph. I loved being able to lean into a more fashion-photography style for her session, pushing the envelope with dramatic lighting, edgier posing, and wardrobe choices that felt bold. We created some images that stretched me creatively, ones I ended up being really proud of, and she was just as excited about the results.
At the end of every session, I always offer clients the option to invite a family member or a pet since hair and makeup are already done, and it’s a nice way to capture something personal at no extra cost. Kate took me up on that and invited her husband, which led to a few really sweet, natural images of the two of them together. It was a perfect way to wrap up a session that felt really creatively fulfilling.
Photographer: Samantha Dueck
Hair and Makeup: LaToya Santos Beauty
Wardrobe: Style By Risso
Studio Assistant: Olivia V.
Samantha Dueck is a Connecticut-based personal branding and headshot photographer with over 15 years of experience working with entrepreneurs, professionals, and creatives. Known for her consultation-driven approach, she focuses on understanding the person behind the brand before ever picking up the camera. Samantha is a two-time speaker at the Lens & Light Photography Summit, has appeared on numerous podcasts, and mentors photographers through education and community-building.