We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Karen Floyd. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Karen below.
Karen , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
My mission is to help people see how beautiful they are and that they, too, can look incredible in photographs! Have photographs of themselves that they actually love.
People are so afraid of the camera when it comes to “professional photography”. It usually rates up there with a trip to the dentist! Yet being the literal face of your business in 2023 is not only essential, it’s critical. Therefore, having photographs that you actually like can be the difference between hesitating on your marketing efforts or being excited to post!
What problems do you solve for your clients and/or what you do think sets you apart from others?
I’ve been passionate about photographing people since I got my first camera at 15.
When I began photography as my career at the age of 55, I focused on creating beauty with “everyday women”. I helped the typical woman (who generally feels far from extraordinary) see how stunning she can look in photographs. It is transformational.
Today, my specialty is women over 50. I know these are women just like me. We have businesses and careers. We work hard. We’re making a name for ourselves. We need to put ourselves out there. And yet, often hold ourselves back because we don’t feel as youthful and attractive as we once did.
Most women, by the time they hit age 50, feel like they are disappearing from view. When I photograph these clients, I feel I know these women well. I know what it’s like to wake up and see your now ribbed neck starting to fold. I know the age spots appearing on our skin from years in the sun. I know the lines, the wrinkles, the gray that is relentlessly poking through. The result is a huge lack of confidence that comes from feeling like you have become “old looking”. It can be hard to muster up the courage to really confront that by taking the photos you need.
What are you most proud of and what are the main things you want potential clients/followers/fans to know about you/your brand/your work/ etc.?
Whether these women come in for images for their website, a book cover, social media, dating sites or a milestone in their lives, I’ve got them covered. Through the experience I create for them, they not only look great, they feel great and it shows in their photographs!
Because I am these women, I also know the remedy to these problems for their photographs. Wrinkles softened. Life’s haggardness whisked aside. Posing that makes the extra 15lbs not their most prominent feature. I create pretty body lines that offer a womanly shape. Lighting that gives you the “wow” factor again. I understand the older woman in photographs as at 62, I am her.
Anyone can take a gorgeous photo of someone who is young and beautiful. I’m here for those that need to look fabulous, even though they may be more seasoned, wise and mature.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
The resilience I will share is about the clients who come to see me to have her picture taken, something that may surprise you.
There is not one (regular) woman who comes in for a photo session that actually feels confident and powerful in front of the camera. Not one! Every single one of us is nervous, afraid and intimidated. Most women feel that they don’t have the “right stuff” to pull off some gorgeous marketing images of themselves. So to think that confidence in front of the camera is an ingredient of a successful shoot is just not true!
So here is what’s true about the “right stuff”, something that every woman should know: You are not responsible for whether you look incredible or not. I am. We’ve decided on your wardrobe, we’ve talked about YOUR reason for why you’re doing this, and we’ve discussed your needs and goals for your photoshoot. You’ve experienced our incredible hair and makeup artistry to begin your session. You look and feel wonderful. You don’t have to know how to pose your body in a way that makes the camera happy, I’m right here in front of you. I know what the camera sees. I also know how to to guide you into the proper position to make the camera love you! You’ll look fabulous, and your photographs will prove it. Your only job is to relax, follow my direction, and have some fun. The result may be the most beautiful photographs you’ve ever seen of yourself. You have now become resilient to your thoughts about your age, your presence, your beauty that still resides within.
Now is your time to be seen.
My name is Karen Floyd, and I specialize in photography for women that need to be reminded of the beauty, power and aliveness they possess in their second half of life.
Contact Info:
- Website: karenfloydportraits.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenfloydimages/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kfportraiture
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therealkarenfloyd/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/karen-floyd-san-diego-branding-and-headshot-photography-san-diego
- Other: I am running a special this year, if this is something you are interested in letting your people know: https://karenfloydportraits.com/over-40-and-fabulous
Image Credits
I have taken all of these with the exception of the one of me (karenfloydportrait.jpg) Credit to: Char Webster btw-We SOOOO appreciate that you do this and help make sure that the photographer is given credit for their images!! Bravo!