We were lucky to catch up with Karina Bordes recently and have shared our conversation below.
Karina, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
Life brings good surprises, but it also brings painful ones. Still, I believe that even from the hardest moments, there’s always something meaningful to take away.
I used to work in a warehouse and was studying for an associate degree in Health Information Management. I truly felt like my mission was in the healthcare field. I saw myself helping others and growing there. But one day, everything changed. I had an accident at work and fractured my right wrist, my dominant hand. That moment flipped my whole life upside down.
I went through three surgeries in less than two years and endless therapy. The doctors didn’t think I would regain full mobility. I fell into a deep, dark, painful depression. Silently, I turned to God and asked Him to help me find a way out.
And somehow, without me even knowing it, He had already started planting a seed. Just four days before the fracture, I had taken vow renewal photos for a friend and created a little Facebook page to post them. I didn’t know it then, but that small action would change everything.
After surgery, I ended up in intensive care with blood clots in my lungs. I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t walk, and could barely move my left hand while still healing from the operation. It was the beginning of the pandemic. I was alone in the ambulance, alone in the hospital, no visitors allowed. I spent four days there with anemia, extreme weakness, pain, fear, and so many emotions all at once.
That’s when I sank even deeper. I would stay in bed from 8 p.m. until 3 p.m. the next day. I felt like I had no reason to get up. Everything hurt physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
But that little photography page started showing me something new. The algorithm began recommending posts from photographers offering courses, podcasts, and inspiration. And that was the beginning of everything.
The truth is, photography had been part of my life long before the accident. In Cuba, I started learning at 18. My very first client, believe it or not, was my sister. I took her quinceañera photos. I used to restore and edit old family pictures, print them, and give them new life. Many of those prints are still hanging in my relatives’ homes today. I didn’t realize it back then, but those little moments were preparing me for something bigger.
I finished school using only my left hand. I had to teach myself how to do everything again, and that hand eventually started hurting more than the one that was injured. I graduated, thankfully the program was online, and continued therapy, though my hand never fully recovered. I still don’t move my fingers perfectly. Even simple daily tasks cause pain, sometimes so much that I can’t sleep at night.
But I kept going. I dove deeper into photography. Not just what I already knew, but techniques, lighting, posing, and storytelling. And that gave me a reason to get up. I started practicing again, first with friends and family. And that’s how Karina Bordes Photography was born.
Later, I knew I wanted to grow, so I turned it into Bordes Studios. I didn’t want to be known just for photography. I wanted to expand and include other creative branches. So I created a podcast called Rompiendo el Patrón by Karina Bordes. I use it to talk about purpose, self-growth, and the things we can do to reach our goals. I haven’t been super active lately because I’m building something new that’s very close to my heart. La Casa de las Quinceañeras Kentucky by Bordes Boutique. It’s a place where we don’t just offer the dress. We create the full photography experience for quinceañeras and Sweet 16s.
And if you’re wondering why I include the name Bordes in everything, it’s because it truly matters to me. I’m Cuban, and my great-grandfather was French. He moved to Mexico, fell in love with a beautiful Mexican woman, started a family, and among their children was my grandfather. Later, they moved to Cuba. There’s so much history behind that name. Stories of migration, struggle, resilience, and starting over. Every time I use Bordes, I honor them. I honor my roots.
Today, my sister, who specializes in newborn photography, is also part of Bordes Studios. That’s one of the reasons why we changed the name from Karina Bordes Photography to Bordes Studios. Because this dream is no longer just mine.
Even though my hand still hurts, I wake up every morning with excitement and joy. I know I have a mission. And I know everything I went through wasn’t for nothing. What once felt like an ending was actually just the beginning.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I’m a photographer, a dreamer, and someone who loves to create and serve. What fulfills me most is giving my clients unique, meaningful experiences.
When I started my photography business here in the U.S., I decided to specialize in maternity. Anyone can take pictures, but not everyone can create images that truly reflect what it means to bring a new life into the world. I’m not minimizing anyone’s work, but maternity is a delicate, emotional, and special niche. To capture a woman’s glow and a mother’s glow, her emotions and her strength during that stage, you need to step into her shoes. Pregnancy comes with hormonal changes, fears, and doubts that can overwhelm any mother-to-be. We’re here to take all that off her shoulders and remind her how valuable she is.
The truth is, I dreamed of becoming a mom myself. That was my biggest reason for choosing this path. When I injured my hand, I was in the middle of fertility treatments. I had to stop them because of the surgeries. Later, due to complications, I had to go through a procedure that made it impossible for me to have children. That heartbreak became part of my purpose.
What I give my clients today is what I never got to experience myself; not for lack of love around me, but because life had other plans. I create a space where women feel celebrated, supported, and truly seen.
At Bordes Studios, we offer photography, video, and luxury gowns because I believe that once-in-a-lifetime moments deserve exclusive pieces that make our clients feel elevated and beautiful. We want their portraits to reflect who they are and leave a lasting impact. Our clients come to us looking for more than just pretty pictures. They’re looking for an experience, for professionals who know what they’re doing and who guide them personally and with care. Even though we offer a variety of collections, we never sell just to sell. We always recommend what’s truly best for each person, and our clients really appreciate that.
These days, anyone can learn how to take good photos, and I respect that. But what sets us apart is how we connect with our clients. We don’t follow trends. We focus on creating timeless, elegant images that will become part of their family’s legacy. These aren’t just photos for social media. These are portraits that you’ll be proud to frame and display in your home. Images that bring you back to that exact moment and help your children remember how loved they were even before they were born.
We also offer family portraits, cake smash sessions, newborn and children portraits, quinceañera, Sweet 16, professional headshots, and editorial-style sessions that all have the same purpose: to live off the screen. Our mission is to help families preserve their story, not just store it in the cloud.
I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished, yes, but I’m even more proud of everything I’ve overcome. In a saturated market where most photographers deliver digital images only, I’ve taken the time to educate my clients. I’ve helped them realize that it’s not about getting likes and comments online. It’s about printing your photos, displaying them with pride, and letting your child grow up seeing themselves loved on your walls. That’s the kind of memory that stays forever.
All of our maternity, family, Sweet 16 and quinceañera sessions include professional hair and makeup for the moms or future moms and for the girls. It was a battle in the beginning because many clients weren’t used to having a full experience. I heard a lot of no’s, cried a lot, and spent many sleepless nights wondering if I was doing the right thing. Some people just want quick pictures for likes, and that’s okay. But we are for the ones who want more, who want to be guided from start to finish, who want to feel something when they see their final images.
If I could tell the world one thing about me and my brand, it would be this: everything we do comes from love and with intention. We want families to use our work to teach their children about love, about how much they were cherished. Because social media validation fades, but real memories live on.
One day, that child will have a family of their own. And when they talk about their childhood, about their parents and grandparents, they’ll remember that love was always present. That’s what they’ll pass on to their children. That’s what matters most.
At Bordes Studios, we don’t just create photos. We create lasting memories. And even if that sounds cliché, it’s the truth. We create images that capture the love and emotion of a moment in time. We want our clients, especially mothers, to enjoy the process. We don’t want them to feel stressed looking for this or that. We offer everything they need to make their session as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
Yes, it takes work. But what matters most is that our clients not only feel satisfied, but that they leave with more than they expected. That’s why we plan and design every session with care, no matter how simple it might seem. From picking tulips in a field specifically for one shoot to building a boat filled with flowers to create a dream session, we do it because we care.
Lastly, I believe in growth. I keep investing in education and pushing myself as an artist. I’ve competed in The Portrait Masters in both 2022 and 2024, and winning bronze in my first-ever entry was a big milestone. It was a reminder that I’m on the right path, and that even when life doesn’t go as planned, purpose and passion can create something powerful.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
There are many things that have played a role, but if I had to name the most important one, it would be the way I connect with my clients. I listen to them. I don’t just sell collections. I take the time to understand what they’re looking for and recommend what truly fits their needs. Communication is everything.
I care deeply about people. I care that what they take home becomes something they’ll treasure for a lifetime. And I believe that at the end of the day, people never forget how you made them feel.
Being honest, consistent, and fully committed to each client has helped me grow strong relationships. At Bordes Studios, we guide every person from beginning to end with care. I treat everyone as special, no matter who they are or where they come from. Even those who reach out just for a consultation and don’t end up booking with us, I still give them my time and respect. People always appreciate that kind of sincerity.
I also pour my full energy into every session. And I’m grateful to have the support of my assistant, who helps me bring each session to life with attention to detail and consistency. We make sure every session is unique and carefully crafted. Something that matters a lot to me is being consistent. If someone hires us, they should always receive the same level of quality, love, and care. One day cannot be amazing and the next one rushed. That’s not how we work.
Building a reputation means showing up every time, listening with intention, staying grounded, truly valuing the people who trust you, and delivering on what you promised.
How do you keep your team’s morale high?
My team is small, but I’ve learned that leadership isn’t about how many people you manage. It’s about how you treat them, how you make them feel, and how you support them.
I work closely with my assistant, and sometimes my sister helps with newborn sessions. I also work with amazing makeup artists who either come to the studio or welcome our clients at theirs. Whether someone works with me often or just occasionally, I always treat them with the same respect. I lead with patience, I listen, and I take the time to understand their perspective. That has made a big difference.
I like the people who work with me to feel comfortable and supported. I explain my vision, give direction when it’s needed, but I also leave space for their input and creativity. I don’t see people as working for me. I see them as part of what we’re building together.
I think people do their best when they feel appreciated. That’s how I lead, with kindness, consistency, and a real commitment to the people who walk this journey with me. I don’t expect perfection, but I do expect commitment. And when everyone shows up with care and respect, you can feel it in everything we create.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bordesstudios.com
- Instagram: @bordes_studios
- Facebook: Bordes Studios
- Linkedin: Karina (Bordes Studios) Bordes
- Youtube: Bordes Studios Photography and Videography
- Yelp: Bordes Studios
- Other: TikTok: Bordes Studios Louisville KY
