Kate Pauley: Create Dinners x Photographer
#CreativeToWatch
Kate Pauley is the owner of Create Dinners and she is also a photographer based in NY.
What do you do?
I run Create Dinners and am a photographer, shooting mostly people and events.
What inspires you?
So many things… my family and friends, travel, film, great food, good branding, beautifully designed spaces, nature, other creative females who are pursuing their dreams, people who have overcome obstacles, and New York City.
Favorite project you’ve worked on?
I got to produce the tablescape for a private dinner at The Eames House in Los Angeles for a collaboration shoe launch between Reebok x The Eames Foundation. With 65 people in attendance, it is the largest event I’ve produced to date and also one of my favorites aesthetically. There were different colored Eames shell chairs lining the tables, vintage details on the tables, stunning giant roses and I got to hire some of my closest friends to do it with me. It was truly a dream.
Favorite tips for hosting a successful event?
Set an intention
Communicate and prepare your guests for what to expect ahead of time
Have food and drink ready to go when the event begins and sustain it throughout
Make space for authentic conversation to happen
Be flexible when things happen differently than you were expecting – there’s always a solution
Take home favors, even if very small, are always an added bonus and thank you to people for coming
What is your favorite spot in NYC?
Fort Greene Park or The Noguchi Museum
What’s on your spring playlist?
I’m getting married in June and have had our brunch playlist on heavy rotation lately.
Favorite form of self care?
I love a bougie fitness class or a long hike followed up by a delicious smoothie.
Who would your dream creative collaboration include?
I love this question.
Food by Vivian Ku or Sophia Roe
Space Design by Adi Goodrich
Flowers from Flowers by Ford
Inspirational Toast by Priya Parker
What is your favorite creative outlet for personal enjoyment?
A lot of people who met me post-college don’t know that I sing. Right before the pandemic and moving to NYC at the end of 2019, I had a very low-key fun band with my friends Bill and Sofia called You, Me & Bill and every week they’d come over to my house to write and record music. It’s obviously been a minute since we got to play together, but making music and singing is my first creative love and will probably be my forever favorite creative outlet because.
What does the future hold for Create Dinners?
This is the question that I ponder on a daily basis. The future holds many more dinners and events both in and outside of NYC. I’m currently working on a pretty big project for the fall that will be happening in the city that I’m excited to share more about very soon. :)
