1:1 MENTORSHIP WITH KAAT CELIS
For photographers who are ready to go next level.
Are you looking for an inspiring, safe space to grow in your photography? A mentor who challenges you, supports you, and helps you strengthen your photography business? A sparring partner who gets you into action, encourages you, and also gently points out the bottlenecks so your real potential can come forward.
In the 1:1 mentoring program, we take plenty of time for the topics you want to explore. We focus on what you need. No one-size-fits-all — but thoughtful, personal guidance. We’ll sit down together, map things out, and look closely at your work and your business so we can shape and refine it in a way that feels truly yours. In this 1:1 mentorship, I’m here to help you create and run your business with more confidence, clarity, and freedom.
You don’t have to do this on your own!
Taking the step toward a successful and sustainable photography business isn’t an easy one.
Suddenly you’re supposed to have a website, do your own marketing, and shift your entire mindset. You need to come up with projects, find clients, sell your photos… It feels like you have to be good at everything overnight. And yes — that can be overwhelming, especially when you don’t have a background in marketing. It’s no surprise if clients, projects, opportunities, and inquiries don’t roll in right away.
It makes total sense if you feel a bit lost in all of this.
And the good news? You don’t have to figure it out alone. I’m here to help you.
“ I really enjoyed the 1:1 program and found it to be a solid support in my journey as a photographer. Kaat listens attentively and encourages you to take action and believe in yourself. She thinks along with you and truly understands what you’re going through at the moment. Kaat helps you work toward your goals and take concrete steps. For me, it’s been a process of trial and error, but getting back up is getting easier each time.”
-Bernhard Fitzgerald.
You love photography, and more than anything, you want to grow your business.
But in today’s crowded market, passion for photography alone isn’t enough. You need to understand marketing, know how to present yourself, position your brand, and nurture your network to land the right shoots, exhibitions, and projects.
Who am I?
Mentor Kaat Celis:
“With over 20 years of experience in the photography industry, both in Belgium and abroad, I understand better than anyone the challenges photographers face. Over the years, I’ve guided countless photographers and gotten to know the ins and outs of their businesses — the highs, the lows, and everything in between.
My own journey has been one of constant growth and development. In the beginning, my focus was on scarcity, but through trial and error, I learned to shift toward abundance. I’ve experimented with different revenue models and have invested for years in personal and business coaching and mentorships.
For any entrepreneur, having a mentor who truly understands where you want to go and can guide you with knowledge, experience, expertise, and a genuine love for photography is crucial. That’s exactly the mentor I would love to be for you.”
“The great thing is, this transformation doesn’t have to take you years: in this 1:1 mentoring program, you get six months to pick my brain, and I’ll help you build or grow your business — in a way that makes you truly happy, without having to put your creativity on the back burner.”
Let’s take the next step together.
When you join me for a 1:1 mentoring program, you won’t get a standard plan. What you can expect is a thorough exploration — a deep dive into your business and who you are as a photographer (and as a person).
JOY
Together, we’ll uncover where your joy lies and what your biggest dreams are. At the same time, we’ll expose your blind spots and map out potential pitfalls. I’ll keep asking questions until it feels right, until we have a plan that truly excites you. This plan could be for a new offering, an exhibition trajectory, a shift in target audience, or a complete review of your business. I adapt to your needs — that’s the starting point.
WHAT?
We kick things off with a 3-hour live session in Antwerp, where we map out all your questions, wishes, expectations, and obstacles. From there, we create a personal plan and turn it into concrete action steps. We meet every month for a 90-minute Zoom call, and in between, you can reach me via WhatsApp coaching Monday through Friday during business hours.
“ I needed an objective sounding board and a skilled sparring partner to give more direction to my skills in photography. As an aspiring photographer, I bounced around like a pinball in all directions, without direction or purpose, lost in an endless and never ending stream of pictures. I needed more focus. I was looking for a personal visual voice. Kaat Celis brought calm and provided direction in my quest to answer the question of why a particular image might be worth photographing. How a photo can be more than just a descriptive situation, how it can emotionally impact a viewer you don't even know. This Mentorship brings me calm and perseverance. Scratching the surface of reality to gain a better understanding. She learned me that the idea of a photograph’s value often lies not in the personal context of its creation, but in its ability to stand on its own, evoke emotions, or communicate meaning to the viewer independent of the photographer’s experience. Kaat learned me to slow down, to think. Kaat Celis is the best compass I could have imagined.”
- Ludo Luykx
A clear plan with concrete steps, helping you elevate your work in just six months.
A massive growth spurt in your photography business — thinking bigger, acting bolder, and expecting more.
Working fully on your own terms, allowing your creativity to flow freely.
Facing limiting beliefs and giving your confidence a real boost.
And don’t forget — your network will grow tremendously!
This mentoring program provides:
“As a photographer, I already had quite a bit of experience, but I was looking for a program to help me grow as a business owner. At first, I hesitated — working on your mindset, is that really necessary? I’m so glad I took the leap. Only now do I understand how everything connects. I’ve grown in every area, and my revenue has grown too!”
- Melissa.
You’re ready for a 1:1 mentoring program if…
… you have no idea how to reach or connect with your ideal client.
… you know your photography is excellent, but you’re not yet attracting enough projects, clients, or opportunities.
… you want to increase your revenue but aren’t sure how.
… you feel overwhelmed by all the marketing options and have no clue which approach fits you best.
… you lack focus.
… your creativity is taking a hit because of endless to-dos.
… you wonder how to break into certain networks and make the right connections.
… you feel a bit lost in who you are as a photographer, what your business truly stands for, and what really ignites your passion.
… money, photography, and mindset aren’t flowing as you’d like.
… it feels like you have to pull and push hard just to land assignments.
… you sense there’s so much more possible for you as a photographer, but you haven’t been able to capitalize on it yet.
… you struggle with pricing.
… you’re still taking on too many assignments you don’t really enjoy, leaving little time for the work that truly brings you joy.
Would you like to first have a chat to see if the 1:1 program is right for you? Mail to info@donkerekamer.com
What does this program look like in practice?
▶ For 6 months, I’ll be your mentor, and you can pick my brain!
▶ We kick off with a 3-hour live session in Antwerp.
▶ Every month, we have a 90-minute follow-up call via Zoom.
▶ WhatsApp coaching Monday to Friday during business hours.
BONUS: 6 months of access to my membership CONNECT.
“I wanted to take my photography in a new direction and needed some guidance, next steps, and advice. I received valuable feedback and clear next steps.”
- Julie
“Because I had just started as a freelancer and needed feedback on the direction I wanted to take, I decided to enlist Kaat’s help. With her guidance, I gained a clear choice between different paths I could take as a photographer — and a little push in the right direction :). Her input was very positive and educational, clear, and enjoyable.”
- Josefien.
“Kaat Celis asks questions about your work that you wouldn’t think of yourself. She forces you to answer them, allowing you to view yourself from a different perspective, another angle. She is one of those coaches who pushes you beyond your own boundaries, encouraging reflection that leads to deeper understanding and, ultimately, to personal and creative growth.”
- Ludo Luykx
Investering
The investment is €4,900, excl. VAT.
NOW TEMPORARILY WITH BONUS: 6 months of access to my membership CONNECT
Prefer to pay in installments? That’s possible:
6 monthly payments of €917
12 monthly payments of €500
Who is this program for?
✅ Ambitious photographers who want to make a significant leap in their business, mindset, professionalism, income, and offerings.
✅ Conceptual, artistic photographers who want to earn well from their work without needing a side job.
✅ Commercial photographers who want to work only with their ideal clients and charge premium rates.
✅ Photographers who connect with Kaat’s energy and are eager to learn from her and receive her guidance.
✅ Photographers who think in terms of possibilities and growth, both professionally and personally.
❌ This mentorship is not for amateur photographers who see photography as just a hobby.
❌ It’s not suited for photographers who are afraid to take steps in their personal or professional development.
❌ It’s not for those unwilling to take responsibility or who tend to procrastinate.
This is the mentorship for photographers who want to truly elevate their craft and business.
This program is a highly valuable, personal mentorship for photographers who might feel unsure about the direction of their business or find themselves stuck creatively. You’re truly listened to, who you are and where you want to go. With Kaat’s guidance, you get moving again, receiving plenty of practical tips under openhearted and inspiring mentorship. Knowing you don’t have to do it alone, and that Kaat is thinking along with you, feels incredibly reassuring.
-Bernhard Fitzgerald.
About me
After completing my photography training, I worked as a photo editor at Het Laatste Nieuws and Goedele Magazine, and as Head of Photography at De Morgen.
Following my media career, I brought Belgian photography to the (inter)national stage as the founder and face of De Donkere Kamer.
With the AntwerpPhoto Festival, live shows on major Flemish stages, online masterclasses, an online shop, and a podcast, De Donkere Kamer has become the go-to platform for Belgian photography.
I know the inner workings of the industry and am also active as:
Curator for photography exhibitions at home and abroad
Jury member for various (inter)national photo competitions and fairs
Organizer of the Winner’s Program for the laureates of the World Press Photo Awards in Amsterdam
Creative and business mentor for professional photographers
Working together long-term creates openness, trust, safety, and real transparency. Everything can be said and shared — the highs and the lows. I’m here for you. Nothing is off-limits. And you get to ask the questions that you are carrying. I look for answers and solutions that fit you, completely tailored, in a way that works for your personality and your practice — because you’re unique.
The longer we work together, the more trust we build, and the deeper we can dive into the topics that matter. Six months gives us the time and space to go all the way in, leaving nothing vague or unresolved.
In six months, you can grow massively, as an entrepreneur and as a photographer. And as time passes, new challenges naturally appear. We tackle those together. The more you evolve, the stronger your foundation becomes, and the deeper we can work during our sessions.
The growth you’ll experience, the insights, tools, and strategies you learn and refine, will help you work more efficiently, cut your uncertainties and frustrations in half, and save time. But all of that needs time to settle and become part of your daily practice.
For six full months, you have me in your back pocket, on speed dial. You can message me your burning questions any weekday during office hours, and I guarantee a reply within 48 hours. This is the only program, the only way, to work with me this closely.
Why is a 6-month program so valuable?
“If you dare to think in terms of possibilities, there’s always a way. No matter what happens, a strong mindset helps you believe in yourself, your work, and the many opportunities to earn well.”
- Kaat Celis
Are you ready to grow into the photographer and business owner you want to be?
When you join me for a 1:1 mentoring program, you won’t get a standard plan. What you can expect is a thorough exploration — a deep dive into your business and who you are as a photographer (and as a person). Together, we’ll uncover where your joy lies and what your biggest dreams are, while also identifying your blind spots and mapping out potential pitfalls. I’ll keep asking questions until it feels right, until we have a plan that truly ignites your passion.
This plan could focus on a new offering, an exhibition trajectory, a shift in target audience, or a full review of your business. I tailor everything to your needs, that’s the starting point.
We start with a 3-hour live kick-off session in Antwerp, where we map out all your questions, goals, expectations, and obstacles. From there, we create a personal plan and translate it into concrete action steps. We meet every month for a 90-minute Zoom call, and in between, you have me on speed dial via WhatsApp coaching, Monday to Friday during business hours.
If you’re unsure whether this is right for you, fill out this questionnaire so I can get to know you and your business. This way, we can see if we’re a match — because six months of intensive collaboration requires a 100% YES from both you and me!
FAQs
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At the moment, there’s no opportunity to join. You can sign up for the waiting list, and you’ll be the first to hear when enrollment opens! E-mail to info@donkerekamer.com
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With over 20 years of experience in the photography industry, both in Belgium and abroad, I understand better than anyone the challenges photographers face. Over the years, I’ve guided countless photographers and gained insight into the inner workings of their businesses — the highs, the lows, and everything in between.
My own journey has been one of constant growth and development. In the beginning, my focus was on scarcity, but through trial and error, I learned to shift toward abundance.
I’ve experimented with various revenue models and have invested for years in personal and business coaching and mentorships. For any entrepreneur, having a mentor who truly understands where you want to go — and can guide you there with knowledge, expertise, experience, and a genuine love for photography — is crucial. That’s exactly the mentor I would love to be for you.
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A follow-up is definitely possible after the 1:1 mentoring program. I’ll share more details about this once you reach the end of the mentorship.
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That entirely depends on you and how much responsibility you take. Many entrepreneurs see a return within three months, while others only after completing the program. In my experience, investing in your business is a sign that you take yourself and your work seriously — and it naturally brings more focus on growth.
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Yes, you can also choose to pay in installments: 6 monthly payments of €917 excl. VAT, or 12 monthly payments of €500 excl. VAT.
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If it becomes clear during the intake that one session is enough for you, we will only invoice the intake session at €500 excl. VAT, and the rest of the program will be canceled.
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Zoom is very easy (and free) to install on your computer! I’ll send you a step-by-step guide on how to set it up.
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It doesn’t matter exactly where you are in your photography journey. I help both beginner and experienced photographers grow in their craft, mindset, and business skills. What matters more is whether you have a “fixed” or “growth” mindset. Do you want to grow? Are you willing to take responsibility? Are you ready to step out of your comfort zone? Are you open to constructive feedback? Are you willing to put in the work? If so, we’re definitely a match, and I can absolutely help you.
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Over the past nine years as a creative entrepreneur, I’ve learned an incredible amount. I’ve experienced huge personal and professional growth, and I’m passionate about sharing the knowledge I’ve gained. I genuinely want you to fully enjoy what you do — while also achieving meaningful results.
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If you’re unsure whether this program is right for you, or if we’re a good match, fill out this questionnaire. I’ll get back to you as soon as possible with my honest feedback!