Katherina Vang

photography / photo editing

Katherina Vang, known professionally as Kat and by the pseudonym Maivab (pronounced My-ah, meaning "baby" in Hmong), is a dedicated portrait artist, art curator, mentor, and teaching artist based in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Minnesota. Kat’s journey in the arts is grounded in both formal training and a deep cultural commitment to storytelling and representation. She holds an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Visual Communications Technologies with a focus in Professional Photography from Century College, and is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems to expand her versatility as a creative professional and leader.

Kat’s professional practice is diverse and community-focused. She serves as a Teaching Artist and Exhibit Curator at In Progress, a nonprofit organization devoted to breaking down barriers of geography, class, education, and culture through the arts. At In Progress, she empowers emerging artists by teaching photography, curation, and digital storytelling, helping them find their voice and build confidence in their creative practice.

Kat also plays an important role with the Qhia Dab Neeg Film Festival, an international festival dedicated to advancing filmmaking and preserving storytelling within the Hmong community. Her work there supports the celebration and sharing of authentic Hmong narratives, ensuring that cultural memory is passed on and expanded for new generations.

In addition to her work with these organizations, Kat maintains an active freelance career, specializing in portrait photography, retouching, and graphic design. She is passionate about creating thoughtful, beautiful imagery that honors the stories of her subjects while providing professional-quality results. Her commitment to mentorship, cultural preservation, and creative excellence defines her approach to art, making her not just an artist but a community advocate and educator dedicated to uplifting others.

QUALIFICATIONS

Katherina Vang is a skilled portrait photographer with expertise in lighting mastery, set creation, and visual storytelling. She is highly proficient in Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop, delivering polished, professional-quality imagery and retouching.

As an experienced curator, Kat organizes and designs exhibits that center authentic cultural narratives, with particular dedication to Hmong stories. She brings strong abilities in graphic design and marketing, supporting projects with compelling visuals and strategic promotion.

Kat is also an accomplished teaching artist with experience mentoring diverse learners in photography, digital media, and creative practice. Her work emphasizes empowerment, cultural pride, and accessible education, making her a trusted guide for emerging artists and a valued leader in the creative community.

FOCUS AREAS

  • portraiture photography

  • creative lighting techniques

  • fashion photography technique

  • props and costuming for photography

  • photo editing

SKILLS

  • portrait photographer

  • adobe Light Room, Adobe Photoshop

  • lighting master

  • set creation & manipulation

  • curator

  • graphic design and marketing

  • teaching artist

CONTACT

portfolio samples

Katherina Vang’s visual arts journey started in middle school where she immersed herself into the graphic arts and eventually moved towards photography where she fell in love with the ability to capture light in various ways. In the way she fell in love with the arts, she also began her Self Portrait series as a way to heal from depression, anxiety and to learn self care. During this journey, she has been blessed to have her work shown and published in the United States as well as published nationwide.

Professional Portraits

Hmoob

Self Portraits