We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Karen Roberts. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Karen below.
Karen, we appreciate you joining us today. What sort of legacy are you hoping to build? What do you think people will say about you after you are gone? What do you hope to be remembered for?
I have been doing photography full time since I was 21 years old. I hope that my decades of professional portraits will preserve the memories that I have captured for my clients.
I love to create and capture life and beauty with my camera. Life is crazy, messy, heartbreaking, amazing…it’s a whirlwind! Yet, the moments when life is still and calm and good—those are the moments that I hope to capture. A five-day-old newborn baby girl sleeping in my studio while I take her 1st photos—now that’s sweet and magical. Watching that darling baby thrive and grow and capturing those maturing moments until one day she calls me for engagement portraits—that’s my happy!
We cherish memories. They are the things that never leave us. People pass on. Life moves forward. Amazingly, photography freezes time.
I really hope that people remember me as being part of their family portraits, graduation photos, and newborn sessions.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights, and we’ve got a few more questions for you. But before we get to all that, would you please introduce yourself, sharing some of your background and context?
I attended Kennesaw State University, and during my senior year, I changed my degree from Psychology to Studio Art. I took 2 photography classes, and I knew this was what I was born to do. I’ve never been so sure about anything in my life.
From there, I opened my studio in 1996 and have continued to work as a full time photographer ever since. My work started with film and developing in my own darkroom, processing my own film and printing my own photos. I would print entire wedding albums in my darkroom! Learning the basics from that standpoint really helped me grow as a photographer.
I pride myself on full-service boutique photography. I provide wardrobe outfits and unique sets for my sessions. I also work with clients on everything from planning the session to providing personal ordering consultations. My products are unique and high-quality.
What do you find most rewarding about being creative?
The most rewarding part of my work is definitely the feeling that I get when I have had a great shoot, and I present a slideshow to the client, and they smile or cry happy tears. Evoking that emotion shows that I have created a happy memory for them, one where I take images that really capture the person’s heart and soul.
Photography is so much more than clicking a button. It’s creating and composing and really capturing the subject in an authentic way and in a beautiful light.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
Yes! The pandemic for sure demanded a shift. I had to step back for a few months, and I have had a chance to incorporate my love of home decor and design and fashion into a blog. I always wanted to be a blogger, but I feared that maybe I was too old. Then I dared myself to try it anyway!
So, I applied to be a creator for a platform called RewardStyle & LikeToKnowIt. To my surprise, they accepted me! This Instagram account has really grown. It’s a fun and happy place where I can share DIY projects, Home Decor, Fashion, and Lifestyle content. The income is not much, but it’s something, and it has helped provide a supplemental income.
The best thing about it is I can do as little or as much as I like each day. Lesson learned: You are never too old to do what you dream of doing. Just go for it!
Contact Information
- Website: www.karenroberts.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenrobertsphotographer
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karenrobertsphotographer
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-r-laughridge
- Other: Blog Instagram url: http://www.instagram.com/islandchildflowers
- Blog website URL: https://www.liketoknow.it/islandchildflowers
Image Credits
Image Credits: All Images credit Karen Roberts Photography (self)
Karen Roberts
Karen Roberts—Boutique Photographer Atlanta Georgia
Boutique Portrait Photographer Karen Roberts-Laughridge prides herself on providing clients with images they will cherish for a lifetime.
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