We were lucky to catch up with Charis Kauffman recently and have shared our conversation below.

Charis, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

One of my greatest photo projects is an annual event that I organize: Nurture Fest: A Celebration for BreastMilk Mamas. Nurture Fest stems from my desire to celebrate and support breastfeeding mothers. As a breastfeeding mom myself, who experienced some large challenges while breastfeeding my own little ones, I understand the challenges, loneliness, and difficulty in finding help that often arise.

This annual evening event includes personal photoshoots for the mamas, a group photo, delicious treats, and opportunities to connect with other mothers. I have also been fortunate to partner with local, women-run businesses that provide services for mothers. I love being able to connect mamas with resources that can help them in their motherhood journey. It’s a beautiful evening of collaboration and celebration.

Charis, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My passion for family and newborn photography stems from my love of stories. I’m not a writer, but I realized I could tell stories through photography. Capturing simple moments and turning them into cherished memories that last for years is what drives me.
I strive to create photos that go beyond showing what people look like—I want parents to look at their photos and feel the chapter of their lives they were living. This is part of my relaxed, lifestyle-focused approach, where photo sessions are designed to be enjoyable, authentic, and centered on the love and connection within a family.
As a mom of three, I understand how chaotic life can feel. I don’t want families to miss out on photos because they don’t feel “perfect enough” or worry their kids won’t behave. One of the best compliments I’ve received is from families who say, “Wow, we didn’t think we’d get any good photos! These are amazing!”
I’m especially passionate about in-home photo sessions because they add so much to the storytelling process. This past Thanksgiving, I was struck by a photo of me and my siblings taken at my grandparents’ house. Although my grandmother wasn’t even in the photo, the setting on her front steps brought back a flood of memories.
Location plays a powerful role in bringing emotions to life in photos. That’s why I believe family and newborn photoshoots at home are so meaningful. The setting itself becomes part of the story, connecting us to the moments we never want to forget.
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Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

A significant part of my business journey has involved moving and restarting in completely new locations. 3 years ago my family and I made a major move from a big city on the East Coast to Oklahoma City. There were so many things I had to learn.

Each location is so different, and I had to learn how to market in an entirely new way. Clients approached their buying decisions differently, and I had to adjust what I shared to connect with them. I was literally restarting my business from the ground up each time. But it has been a valuable experience to stretch myself and grow!

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I wish I had known about some of the photographer education resources sooner so I could delve into refining my skills better sooner. Another resource that really helped me in my setting up business in a new location was Lindsey Herkert’s Systems for Success Course.

Another resource would be local networking groups. I did not realize at first how important these are. Now you can easily find some local groups on facebook so look around and get connected!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.chariselisabeth.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chariselisabethphotography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chariselisabethphotography
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charis-kauffman
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@chariselisabethphotography