Minnesota Based Artist

 

Studio portrait of a person wearing black against white background with hands clasped.
Best of Zola 2024

Katherina Vang (Kat) under the pseudonym of "Maivab" (pronounced My-ah, means baby in Hmong), is a Wedding Photographer and Videographer, Portrait Artist, Photo Restoration Artist and Retoucher based from the Twin Cities (Mpls, St. Paul, MN). Kat has been photographing professionally since 2010 and creating videos professionally since 2023. She is also a mom to three incredible kids and two energetic dogs. She graduated from Century College with an A.A.S. in Visual Communications Technologies with a Focus in Professional Photography and a B.S. in Information Systems. In her free time, she likes to spend time with her little family.


Katherina has had her work published and exhibited all over the world. She also spent some time curating art and working on film productions. You can find more information below on her exhibition and published works.

Family poses together under large tree branches in outdoor setting.

EXHIBITIONS

2019

  • GEN / H Exhibition, Hmong American New Year, St. Paul

2018

2017

  • Hmong Chinese, Honorable Mention, Minnesota State Fair Fine Arts Exhibit
  • Hmoob Hmong Duo Sister Exhibit Presented by In Progress, St. Paul
  • Solo Exhibition presented by M&MXEL Project Planning Group, 514 Studios, Minneapolis

2016

  • Visual Communications Technologies Portfolio Show, Century College.

2014

  • Qhia Dab Neeg Film Festival Photo Exhibit, Metropolitan State University, St. Paul.
  • Self Portraits, Little Mekong, St. Paul
  • Love Time & Diaspora, Nexus Photography, Mother Series, In Progress, St. Paul.

2013

  • the Creative Risings, See.Me, NYC.
  • Story of the Creatives, See.Me, NYC.

2011

  • CHAT 10th Annual Arts & Music Festival, St. Paul.

2010

  • Scholastics Arts, Received Gold & Silver for artworks, MCAD, Minneapolis.
  • Best 100, St. Paul.
  • SooFuze, St. Paul.
  • Portfolio Award, Woodbury High School Portfolio Show, Woodbury.


PUBLICATIONS

2024

2023

2019

2018

2017

2016


Circular turquoise badge with text 'Best of Zola 2025' featuring interlocked heart icons in the center.

Features

2024

2023

  • Meet KaChia Lee | BOLD Journey, featuring photo taken by Maivab Photography of Kachia Lee's Designs

2019

2018

2017

2016

  • Pretty Rock Girl Collection, Featuring Self Portrait.
  • 15 Under 15 Feature #36 by Ashley Holloway on Deviant Art, Featuring Model Joylin Baranick
  • FAERIE Magazine Feature, Featuring Model Joylin Baranick.
  • SELFIE-TURE Feature by Dan Heffer on Deviant Art, Featuring Self Portrait.
  • 15 Under 15 Feature #29 by Ashley Holloway on Deviant Art, Featuring Model Gao Xiong.


PRODUCTIONS

2018 | “Rhaub”, by Melissa Vang, Hair & Make Up

2018 | “Hmong Organization”, May Lee Yang and Peter Yang, Set Photographer

2017 | “NICE”, Naomie Ko, Set Photographer

2017 | “The Oath”, Dan Yang, PA for Art Department

2016 | “The Stranger”, Bryan Vue, Set Photographer


Awards

  • Best of Zola 2025 Wedding Photographer
  • Best of Zola 2024 Wedding Photographer
  • The Knot, Best of 2023 Wedding Photographer


VOLUNTEERING


Follow me on Instagram
@maivabllc