Kate Berry x OUTLIERS
MEET KATE
I’m a British travel, lifestyle and interiors photographer and up until July 2023 was based in LA. Since then I’ve been moving around for work and as part of a long search for my next home.
I’ve previously lived in Buenos Aires, London and Oaxaca, having completed the Poco a Poco residency in 2021, falling in love with Mexico and wanting to dive deeper. Although I will always travel for work, inspiration and curiosity, I also crave a home, stability and an element of routine, so I’m seeking that sweet spot right now.
Photography was once my hobby, I bought my first DSLR before I went traveling in my 20s and decided to go freelance in 2011 after working in fashion and retail design in London. My camera has led me to some fascinating places and people and often I feel it’s the stories behind the photographs which is where the magic really lies.
Despite all of the challenges that the photography industry and being freelance brings, I’ve had a very colourful and rich life and I hope that continues and translates to my work.
MEMORABLE TRIPS
Morocco
Cadaqués
Kaua’i
Panama
Jamaica
Morocco
I spent 5 months last year based back in the UK and travelled for the second time to Morocco, a country I’ll always hold close to my heart as it was the first destination I visited outside of Europe. It opened me up to photography and our beautiful planet.
This visit was with Thread Caravan, who arrange tours based on ancestral crafts such as weaving and ceramics. We worked with the Amazigh women to learn weaving with the Berber knot and in the Rif Mountains learnt to hand build pots with master ceramicist Mama Aïcha and her family.
I returned to Marrakech, Essaouira and Ouarzazate and was happy to see how little the country has changed since I first went in 2005. Still such a warm welcome from locals, incredible food and sensory overload in the best possible way.
Cadaqués
On my way down to Morocco I visited Cadaqués in Spain, a destination on my list for a long time due to its reputation as being an artist’s haven (and my love for Spain) - most famously Salvador Dalí lived here.
I fell hard for this little town, I took public transport from Barcelona which made it feel like quite the journey and even more special on arrival.
As well as visiting Dalí’s house a favourite moment was eating gambas a la plancha at Restaurant Cap de Creus overlooking the ocean.
Kaua’i
Clearly, I love an island and Kaua’i, the ‘garden isle’ of Hawai’i keeps pulling me back.
I’m writing this on my 4th trip here. There is something about the island that seems to provide me answers when I need them and healing energy when I need that too. The lush greenery and mountainous backdrop engulfs you and breathes life into you and the blue water, visible everywhere, washes your worries away.
And I won’t ever understand why people complain about the food here, because a diet of soursop, apple bananas, ahi tuna, Japanese sweet potatoes, acai, macadamia nuts and some really good coffee options seems perfect to me.
Panamá
A second trip which I photographed for Thread Caravan, this time sailing the Guna Yala islands in Panamá and learning to sew molas with the Guna women. This indigenous community maintain autonomy over the islands and therefore they remain protected from mass tourism: a true paradise.
I also really enjoyed getting to know Panamá City, the pretty Casco area can feel very touristy but there are some more local neighborhoods close by which felt more like the Caribbean to me and a little grittier and local. It was also a delightful diet of ceviche, tostones, flan and Balboa beer.
Jamaica
Jamaica had been top of my list for many years, having grown up in London amongst a huge Caribbean population, which influenced me heavily in terms of music, food and its very infectious culture.
Even from LA, I would pilgrimage to Notting Hill Carnival every year to soak it all up. A number of my friends have family in the country and so I knew I’d eventually visit with one of them.
Spending a week in Portland and the Blue Mountains (keeping as far away from resorts as possible) was one of my most profound and intense trips, in many ways. It got under my skin in a way I haven’t even been able to process fully yet and I only scratched the surface. I hope to dive deeper one day.
FAVOURITE STAYS
Rosemary — Marrakech
Wood Houses — Kaua’i
Asao Gorée — Senegal
Casa Nereta — Cadaqués
Riad Mena — Marrakech
Hotel Corazón — Mallorca
TRAVEL WISH LIST
LAMU — I’m really intrigued to visit an island off Africa. The Indian Ocean holds great appeal and the stripped back luxury of some of the hotels I’ve seen on Lamu evoke a hippie, slow paced way of life, not to mention the interesting melting pot of cultural influences and artistry.
Where to stay in Lamu
EGYPT — I don’t think there’s a place on earth that feels so ancient and sacred as Egypt - I have to see those Pyramids! And I feel I’d love the chaos of Cairo and the contrast of Siwa Oasis for example.
Where to stay in Egypt
GHANA — My recent trip to Senegal has made me want to explore more of the West Coast of Africa. The culture, music, food and people seem wonderful, I have had a small taste through Ghanian communities in London and want to experience the country first hand.
Where to stay in Ghana
SOUTH KOREA — I hear Seoul is a really vibrant, young city full of creatives and a different vibe to Japan where I’m currently based. I’m actually visiting in a couple of months en route back to London and look forward to a mix of city and nature - Jeju island which first came on my radar after reading Michelle Zauner’s Crying in H Mart.
Where to stay in South Korea
TAIWAN — Similarly to South Korea, I’ve heard Taipei has a lot of cool projects happening and I’m sure strikes a balance between ancient and modern, nature and city. I’ve visited Okinawa which is fairly close but not China yet, so I’m interested to experience how it feels culturally in comparison to Japan and Hong Kong. I also love all the Taiwanese milk teas!
IRAN — I’ve wanted to go to Iran for a very long time, as I have some wonderful friends from there. I love the food. It feels like a very peaceful, beautiful place despite some of its obvious problems. I’ve always been very drawn there. It has a certain mysticism about it, and because I really love my friends from there, it’s made me want to visit.
Where to stay in Iran
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