Movement has always been at the center of Kate Holstein’s life—whether behind the lens, in the mountains, or on the reformer. An Aspen-based photographer known for her luminous sense of place, Kate approaches both creativity and wellness with the same philosophy: presence over excess, routine over noise. In this edition of On the Pulse, we sit down with Kate to talk about the rituals that ground her, the movement practices that support an active, outdoors-driven life, and how intention, style, and creativity naturally intersect when the body is in motion.
OUT WITH THE OLD
O2: 2026 just arrived—what are you officially leaving behind in 2025 (habits, mindsets, or otherwise)?
Kate: " I would say, I am leaving behind spending a lot of time on the phone. I want to be more conscious of how and when I use my phone. There’s so many great things that your phone can do, like I love podcasts, but I just don’t want to waste time."
FROM TRAIL TO REFORMER
O2: You’re deeply outdoorsy and a devoted Pilates goer. How does Pilates support everything else you do—skiing, hiking, living?
Kate: "Pilates is the most essential foundation to enjoy my time outdoors. The amazing thing about Pilates is it creates healthy movement patterns and improves balance throughout the body, which helps do any sport, even just walking. It also teaches you to move from your core, so Pilates has just become a fundamental thing to enjoy all my other activities.
I really love the tower classes at O2 because they focus on spinal movement and I find they are harder to cheat on. The movements you do on the tower are subtle but I feel like they make all the difference in making you stronger. I take Heather or Piper’s classes at the Aspen location."
CURRENT CART
O2: What are some things you reach for at O2?
Kate: "I am a religious buyer of Splits59 leggings. And I pair them with a white T-shirt. You can’t go wrong."
SWEAT, BUT MAKE IT CHIC
O2: How do movement and personal style intersect for you? Does one inform the other?
Kate: "Absolutely. If you have good movement it gives you style, when you feel good in your body and feel free in your body, whatever you’re wearing looks better. It's the core of style."
CURRENT FIXATIONS
O2: Any wellness habits, products, or routines you’re obsessed with heading into 2026?
Kate: "I’ve always been interested in ayurvedic medicine, and I try to follow a routine inspired by ayurvedic practices. One of those things is a body oil massage every morning to calm my nervous system and stimulate my lymphs. But the other thing I do is start every morning with a 12-minute run. The run consists of two minutes of warm up, and then one-minute-on, one-minute-off of sprints four times, and then a two minute cool down. And I do this only breathing through my nose, which keeps me operating in my perisympathetic nervous system. This nervous system is known for repairing your body, burning fat, and increasing lung capacity. For me, it's like a cup of coffee (I also drink coffee), but it really wakes me up and you feel so good afterwards."
SPILLING TEA
O2: You’re a photographer, and we can’t help but mention your beautiful photos—what’s one rule you always follow behind the lens (and one rule you happily break)?
Kate: "I never shoot in the middle of the day, if it is up to me, I shoot in the early morning or late afternoon. Light is what makes people look good or bad. I also think that you have to be present. If you’re distracted by trying to take a good picture, than you lose the moment. But if you watch people and wait for the moment that you can capture them in the way you want, then you will. I love taking photos because it makes me feel present.
A rule that I would happily break is the idea you need some fancy camera to get a good photo. I once heard the best camera is the one you have with you."
PASSPORT READY
O2: You’re an avid traveler—where are you going in 2026?
Kate: "We are going to the Olympics in Italy. My husband and I both have a background and connection to skiing, and we want our daughter to see this amazing display of the top people in the world. It will also be so beautiful in Italy, so I can't wait for that. We’ll also be in the South of France in the summer."
LIFE IN MOTION
O2: What is keeping balanced and in motion these days?
Kate: "Healthy daily routines: a pilates and yoga class, my morning run, eating great food with friends and family, and spending time with the people I love."
At its core, Kate’s approach is about staying present—through movement, creativity, and the rituals that shape everyday life. Grounded, intentional, and always in motion, her perspective is a reminder that balance is built one day at a time. Follow along with Kate’s work and life behind the lens at @kateholsteinphoto.
