We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Karla M. Tomanelli a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Karla M., thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Going back to the beginning – how did you come up with the idea in the first place?
Photography has always been a creative outlet for me to express myself artistically… I would always have a disposable camera or a point and shoot in hand wherever I went– mainly just to capture candid moments with friends and family.
Fast forward to 2013- after trying to conceive for over a year, my husband and I decided to seek medical assistance. At the time, I knew little about IVF and infertility. Then it became my life. Between false negatives and failed transfers, the idea of having a family of our own slowly started to feel improbable. So when we finally got pregnant- difficulties of infertility turned to gratitude. I bought my first DSLR camera and I promised myself that I would document every moment of our child’s existence. He’s 8 years old now.
In those 8 years, people would ask their ‘friend with a camera’ (me!) to photograph their families and parties and I began to gather real world experiences and develop new skills. In time, my schedule started to fill up and I decided to give up my full-time desk job– it was without doubt the best decision I’ve ever made.
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 am inspired by humanity in all of its forms. My photography style can be described as timeless and natural with a playful, understated elegance. I have been appreciated by clients for having a sensitive approach to my subject matter. I strive to bring an enthusiastic personality to every job. Like the skill of a craftsman and the patience to record the precise light, my goal is to help clients bring their creative vision to life.
We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.
Photography has always been a creative outlet for me to express myself artistically… I would always have a disposable camera or a point and shoot in hand wherever I went– mainly just to capture candid moments with friends and family.
Fast forward to 2013- after trying to conceive for over a year, my husband and I decided to seek medical assistance. At the time, I knew little about IVF and infertility. Then it became my life. Between false negatives and failed transfers, the idea of having a family of our own slowly started to feel improbable. So when we finally got pregnant- difficulties of infertility turned to gratitude. I bought my first DSLR camera and I promised myself that I would document every moment of our child’s existence. He’s 8 years old now.
In those 8 years, people would ask their ‘friend with a camera’ (me!) to photograph their families and parties and I began to gather real world experiences and develop new skills. In time, my schedule started to fill up and I decided to give up my full-time desk job– it was without doubt the best decision I’ve ever made.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
One of the most rewarding aspects of being a photographer is the creative freedom which one gets to work with each and every day. I am able to let ideas flow freely, explore new techniques while simultaneously thinking of new ways to add to satisfaction my clients experience. It’s highly rewarding and satisfying to see the moments I have captured through a lens to last forever.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://karlatomanelli.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karlatomanelli/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karlatomanelli
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@karlatomanelli?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
Image Credits
Photographer: Karla Tomanelli