Kararhea Photography Blog

February 24, 2010 // Personal / Photography / Travel

I just returned from 3 weeks in Nicaragua and Costa Rica. I'd be exaggerating if I said that it was the trip that changed my life, however, a few weeks away from real life usually helps a person to put things back into perspective. I had many evenings to lay awake in bed and think, many sleepless mornings while the roosters crowed, many quiet moments on the beach. I've been contemplating some major business changes, and being away for a while and taking time to think about what my goals are and what will help me stay in this business longer and what will keep me happy while I'm doing it.

With that, I have a little announcement. There will be more changes coming in the future, but for now, just this; I will no longer be doing children's and newborn sessions. It's not that I don't love a challenge, or equally love the feeling when the photos turn out great despite the struggles to get to the end result, it's just that I want to make more room for the things I really love. I will still be doing family sessions, including family sessions with your newborns, during which I always capture a few individual shots of your children, I just won't be doing individual children or newborn sessions.

The sessions I will be focusing on now are:

Family

Graduation

Maternity

Engagement

Wedding

Back to School

and any type of "Just for Fun" session with anyone over the age of ten.

I'm excited to take on 2010 with new energy and excitement! Please contact me for pricing.

And, since a post is boring without a picture, here's a tiny sneak peak from my trip:

This super cute little girl shared her chips with me!

Our cabina on Little Corn Island, Nicaragua

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Pam:

You have all of my support Kara! Here, Here to your career in 2010!

(02.25.10 @ 11:56 AM)

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Happy Halloween!

October 31, 2009 // Photography

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Emma:

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

(11.02.09 @ 01:29 AM)

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Pushing Forward

October 30, 2009 // Engagement / Photography

I've never been one of those people that can read a "how to" book and then go build a house. For as long as I can remember, I've needed to learn hands on. I excelled at math in school, but still needed each new thing explained to me by the teacher, and then I got it. Photography hasn't been any different for me. It is because of this that I decided to go to school, spending ridiculous amounts of money on things some people can teach themselves. It is also because of this that I went to Seattle. Sure school taught me a lot, but in this ever changing industry I need to continue to push myself to learn new things and keep up!

I heard about Sarah Rhoads Photography through Into The Darkroom, who designed my blog. They were photographers of the month one month and I've been following them ever since. They are husband and wife team, Chris and Sarah Rhoads, of Seattle. I was so drawn to both their images and the things they had to say. Their style is so unique and all their own. As I feel I am still trying to define myself, they seemed like the perfect people to learn from.

In September I was fortunate enough to connect with them in Seattle. I booked them for a full day mentor session. Those 8+ hours flew by. We chatted about everything under the sun, from branding, editing, and pricing to their upcoming trip to Thailand. I was excited to talk about that with them, as I've been there a couple of times and always like to share my tips on what to see and where to go! Chris and Sarah are so approachable and were so open and honest with me about what works for them and how I can improve.

A big part of our day was a photo session at my hotel, The Ace Seattle. What a place! I was so excited to stay here, I've seen this hotel in a few photo sessions and loved it! It was perfect for our shoot. The shoot was styled by Tiffany Lowry, and the gorgeous couple are Emma and Bubba, who just happened to recently get engaged so it was a perfect fit. Their engagement story is as cute as they are too!

The credit for the shoot goes to all of them. Sarah and Chris are crazy talented at what they do. Tiffany did an amazing job as well with making these two even more beautiful, and choosing their wardrobes and helping to create this shoot. Emma and Bubba were completely adorable and so easy to work with.

I am so thankful for this opportunity. It has pushed me to be better and I will continue to seek new ways to be good at what I do.

For Sarah and Chris's killer images, go Here.

Sarah also captured a few shots of me, they are here.

For the most part I chose to watch them work and take mental notes and shoot from the sidelines. Here's my take on the day. I had a super hard time narrowing it down to even this many, they're all just so cute! Sorry for such a huge blog post, I'm just still so excited!

17 Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

juanita Malcolm:

k WOW!!!! cutie couple - what a FUN FUN shoot!!!.....and yay for you - you got to spend time with sarah....etc.....
that rocks kara!!! i know you'll keep pushing to be amazing.....even tho to me it seems your there!!!
thanks also, for your incredible words on our blog......yu are so kind!! can't wait to meet up again in s'toon.....hope it's soon!! keep up ALL the wicked stuff!!!!

(10.30.09 @ 05:11 PM)

Sarah Rhoads:

kara sister! you rock! it was soo much fun making magic with you on this shoot! I feel blessed to have met you

(10.30.09 @ 05:12 PM)

Jenelle:

I love the passion you have for your work, and it definatly shows in what you do..love it!!!

(10.30.09 @ 05:25 PM)

Briony:

these are fab! what a fun mentoring session :)

(10.30.09 @ 05:28 PM)

Emma Robertson:

LOVELY!!!!!! Man, this day has been so fabulous getting to see what you and Sarah got at the shoot :) It was AMAZINGLY awesome getting to meet you and be apart of your mentor session!

(10.30.09 @ 06:32 PM)

sonya:

love #19. looks old hollywood! you rock kara!

(10.30.09 @ 06:33 PM)

Kim Driedger:

Oh My Gosh!!!! These are awesome, Kara!! I love them ALL! You are amazing. The couple is so adorable! I wish I had style!

(10.30.09 @ 07:53 PM)

Erika:

KARA!!!! this shoot looks like so much fun!! What a great day this must have been for you. what talent!

(10.30.09 @ 07:53 PM)

Rebecca:

These are so so so fabulous!!! I love them all, I love the energy of all the photos and that couple is so incredibly adorable, and your processing looks amazing, too!! I'm so excited for you both for the mentoring session which I'm sure you learned so so so much from, and also for getting these amazing photos!!!

(10.31.09 @ 12:04 AM)

Ayla:

Your such an inspiration... Seriously! I admire your work so much! You have a true talent!

(10.31.09 @ 02:25 AM)

Anna:

Kara!!!!!!!!! WOW!!!! You've outdone yourself this time, Girl! What a fun shoot. Fun couple. Fun location. Awesome! Love it!

(10.31.09 @ 09:39 AM)

Trish:

oh my gosh!! Amazing!! That is all I can say!

(10.31.09 @ 11:30 PM)

russ dueck:

i love this whole shoot! looks like it was a lot of fun! awesome job!

(11.01.09 @ 01:48 PM)

Julia :

I snuck over here through Sarah's blog. This mentoring session looks like play more than work.. what a great investment in your work. Your picture turned out great, by the way.

(11.02.09 @ 01:44 PM)

Kendra:

These are soooooooooooo fun!! You are super talented, my sister!!

(11.02.09 @ 04:25 PM)

Amy:

Holy Crap Kara!!! These are totally awesome!!! They look like they belong in a magazine!!! FANTASIC!!

(11.10.09 @ 04:43 PM)

Lucy:

I love these pics sooooooo fun!!!

(03.29.10 @ 11:06 PM)

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Crazy little thing called life

September 20, 2009 // Engagement / Photography

So life is slightly more than a little bit crazy right now. Amidst all the weddings, engagement sessions, family sessions, child sessions, maternity sessions, back to school sessions, and newborn sessions, I am also in the process of building a new house, searching to buy a comfortable car (all this driving is bringing out the worst in the hyundai!), going to Seattle next week for a mentorship session, and going to Edmonton next weekend for a wedding. Oh, and somewhere in there I need to try (and trying doesn't always mean succeeding unfortunately) to also be a good friend, sister, daughter, grand daughter, and wife!

That said, I am making a huge, HUGE effort to make sure everyone's photos are finished when they should be finished, but hope that everyone will understand if this doesn't quite happen. As much as I want to be on time, I also want to deliver a quality product. I appreciate everyone's patience more than words can express! It's been a whirlwind of a year, and for my first year as a full time photographer I'm still learning exactly how much I should take on at once!

Here's a little sneak peek of an engagement session I had with Kerry and Sheila last week. Just one pic to wet your appetite!

Thanks for stopping by!

2 Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Kim Driedger:

nice picture!! I hope you get a good break in Seattle and have a chance to have some fun!!

(09.21.09 @ 12:20 PM)

Sheila:

WoW! Kara We love this picture! Can't wait to see the rest! I know they will be worth the wait. :) Thanks for that day! We had a blast! Cheers!

(09.21.09 @ 07:15 PM)

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August Is Full

July 28, 2009 // Photography

Hi Everyone...

Thanks to all of you who have helped make this a crazy successful summer so far. It's been a whirlwind, but in the best way possible. July is winding down, and the insanity that is August is about to begin. Thank you to all of you who booked in advance! Unfortunately I am absolutely booked SOLID for August. Well, fortunately for me, unfortunately for all the awesome people I won't have time for. September is also booking up quite quickly, but there is still a bit of room there. I will be gone for part of September for my first out of province wedding in Alberta, and a mentor session with one of my photo hero's in Seattle. I can't wait for all the excitement in fall, but August will be so great that it will go by quickly! Book your fall family sessions now (for those Christmas cards!) before it's too late!

Thanks again to all of my super awesome clients! I've been having a great summer with you all!!

1 Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Kim Driedger:

wow Kara! That is awesome for you that you are booked up! Just shows how amazingily tallented you are!!

(07.29.09 @ 01:25 PM)

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