Name: Ketti Phillips
Website: kettihandbags.com
How do you describe your work?
The everyday. I want my photos to be honest and representative of a period of time or moment in a family’s life.
What’s the one thing you always carry with you?
A notebook and pen.
What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever found in your bag?
A half-eaten Happy Meal cheeseburger that was at least a month old. And yet, not moldy at all. Gross.
What is in your bag right now? Show me!
From a day spent adventuring with the family: Canon 5D with 35mm lens, Canon AE-1, 2 rolls of film, wallet, my son’s wallet, pen, crayon, a receipt from lunch, Advil and hand sanitizer.
What is your greatest source of inspiration?
The latest thing to really inspire me was the documentary Bill Cunningham New York. He is such an interesting person, as is his neighbor Editta Sherman, who reminds me of my best friend in 50 years. Artists just living the way they see fit, which is so far from what is considered ‘normal’.
Last place you traveled?
Whidbey Island, WA. Last place out of state was Coos Bay, Oregon to visit my brother.
One thing about you that might surprise people to know?
I am a huge UFC fan. Huge. Love it. Maybe more than my husband does.
Greatest achievement?
My children? That sounds generic. Greatest achievement outside of them I guess would be being able to make a living doing my own thing.
Greatest struggle?
Making a living doing my own thing.
And the children.
What books are currently on your nightstand?
I just finished it and took it back to the library today, but it was Born to Be Brad: My life and Style so Far by Brad Goreski. I’m really into him.
Favorite photography-related blog?
I have really been neglecting photography blogs lately. I will say Dan O’Day’s blog is guaranteed to engross me for an hour or two whenever I look at it.
Favorite non-photo blog?
Emily Henderson’s blog, stylebyemilyhenderson.com. It’s the only one I check regularly.
What’s In Your Bag is a new monthly feature, showcasing a variety of photographers and what they carry in their Ketti camera bag. Like it? Let me know by leaving a comment!
I have a new camera bag in the shop that I am deeply in love with. Like, I want to spoon it at night.
The fabric is a vintage-inspired print from South African textile designer Heather Moore of Skinny laMinx. Her prints are all so amazing, I feel lucky to have made a bag with it.
Valeria Spring of The Red Balloon Photography shot these images on a rainy, then sunny, then rainy day in Seattle’s Georgetown neighborhood. So typical of spring in Seattle that I kinda think the weather for the shoot was perfect.
The new bag is in the final stages of completion and will be ready to ship in about 2 weeks. Pre-orders are being taken now.
Enjoy!
You know those shows like Unwrapped with the dude from Double Dare that show you how junk food is made? That stuff fascinates me, so I figure you might like that kind of thing too. I stopped by my Seattle manufacturer the other day and took some photos to give you a little peak at the process that goes into each and every Ketti Handbag.
A big part of my business ethic, which I am very passionate about, is to stay made in the USA, and for a few big reasons.
First, having them made here in Seattle makes it easy for me to check in, deal with any issues that may arise and drop off materials. And let’s face it, anything that makes my life easier is a plus.
Then there are the more important reasons, ones that concern people other than myself. Not only is my small business supporting a manufacturing industry that has been slowly dying in this country, it also supports the local community with jobs. I don’t need to worry about less than ideal conditions for the employees, or environmental concerns. And it’s kept as local as possible.
This has become a big part of my business mission, one that I’m proud of. It may cost more and require more hands-on work, but it’s worth it to me for all the right reasons.
So what do you think? Does it matter to you where things are made? Let me know in the comments!