Katrina Hannemann
Katrina Hannemann is a multifaceted professional whose career spans both healthcare and photography. She is the owner of Studio Laguna Photography, a business she founded in 2000 specializing in weddings, portraits, and diverse visual storytelling, including food and environmental photography. Over the years, Katrina has earned recognition for her craft, including Best Wedding Photographer awards in Minnesota in 2013 and 2015, and has been published regularly in Minnesota Bride magazine. Her early involvement with Fearless Photographers and WPPI helped shape her approach to photography, emphasizing creativity, storytelling, and building strong networks within the wedding and event community.
About five years ago, Katrina made a significant career transition into healthcare, focusing on nursing in birth, postpartum, and NICU care. She currently works full-time as a nurse while continuing to operate her photography business on a selective, part-time basis. Alongside her professional roles, Katrina co-runs the Gatherhaus blog, where she writes about intentional living and purposeful work. Her nursing practice is grounded in patient-centered care, equity, and advocacy, with a particular focus on supporting families through birth, breastfeeding, and postpartum care.
Katrina is also pursuing a Healthcare MBA at the University of St. Thomas, Opus College of Business, further bridging her expertise in healthcare and organizational leadership. Beyond her professional endeavors, she is deeply committed to equity work in North Minneapolis, advocating for housing, education, and healthcare access for marginalized communities. Whether through visual storytelling or healthcare, Katrina’s work is defined by compassion, creativity, and a dedication to making a meaningful impact in her community.
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program
• Registered Nurse
• University of St. Thomas - Opus College of Business- M.B.A.
• St. Catherine University- B.S.
• Art Institute Orange County
• Concordia University-St. Paul
• Fearless Photography Award
• Best Event Photography 2014
• Best Wedding Photography 2014
• Best Wedding Photography 2013
• Fearless Photographers
• WPPI (Wedding and Portrait Photographers International)
• Local Minnesota Bride Community
• ISES/ILEA (International Society of Events)
• Independent Wedding Association
• Street medic
• Housing equity advocacy in North Minneapolis
• Education equity work
• Healthcare equity work
• Support for Black and Native American communities
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my ethics and who I am as a human, honestly. On top of it, because the talent is - there's so much talent out there. So I could be the most talented person out there and still not do as well as I did if I was ripping people off and not treating humans with dignity. Yeah, so that's it - treating people with respect and maintaining my ethical standards has been the foundation of everything I've accomplished.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Just fearlessly be themselves. And to not try to conform to what they think is needed for their business to grow. When I let go of trying to keep up with the Joneses and was just myself, did things the way my instincts told me to go, that's when my business thrived. Don't try to be what you think others want you to be - trust your instincts and be authentic, because that's when real success happens.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest opportunities and challenges in my field right now involve leveraging cross-industry networking for growth while responding to community needs—particularly around equity and healthcare—which have increasingly shaped and redirected my professional focus.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are ethics, treating others with dignity, promoting equity in housing, education, and healthcare, and living with intentionality and purpose.