Today we’d like to introduce you to Kara Lee.
Hi Kara, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Growing up I was always surrounded by photography. My dad was a professional photographer and introduced my sister and I to the world of cameras as soon as we could walk. I always had creative outlets (from baking to scrapbooking, to playing the piano), but it wasn’t until high school that I found photography as my own passion. Fast forward to college, I started taking on paid clients and honing my skills (special thanks to those first few who trusted me when I hardly knew what I was doing). I got my degree in graphic design, so with a mix of design and photography classes, I also unlocked this crazy passion for using color and movement in my work. That discovery has heavily influenced my life since and even led me to have the honor of being accepted into a professional photography portfolio event called Colorpop, held in Utah and focused totally around color! How’s that for a full circle moment?
I never thought I would own my own business and be my own boss, it was just not in the cards I had laid out for myself. But after graduating in 2020 in the heat of the pandemic (no really, I graduated on my living room couch), and losing a job due to Covid, I did what any young and broke person would do; move back in with the parents. I told myself I would do freelance photography and graphic design while applying to “real” jobs. Thankfully none of those jobs worked out, because I truly fell in love with what I was doing and decided to embrace the self-employed, entrepreneur lifestyle!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I’d be lying if I said it has been easy. It’s been far from it. But when you love what you do, the bumps just feel like speed bumps vs. roadblocks!
Most of my struggles have come from me learning what my boundaries are and having to implement processes in my business to protect them. For instance, my time and services have been taken advantage of, I haven’t been paid adequately, and I’ve bent over backwards for clients who didn’t value my work. I have since added clauses in my contracts to address those specific situations.
The thing with boundaries is you don’t know what they are until they’re crossed, but those experiences helped me grow immensely professionally and personally so I am extremely grateful for them!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
One of the things that I’m known for is my use of color and movement in my work! I love incorporating color through clothes, accessories, interesting backdrops, and colored walls. I love to use movement through fabric, poses that get my clients moving, unique composition, and playing with shutter speed.
I believe photography (and even graphic design) is so personal and vulnerable because you’re capturing real moments and relationships, telling that story through your perspective, picking the colors and elevating the story through editing, and then sharing that with the world. Just with any art, not everyone is going to like it or understand it, especially when your style is a little more unique. But it’s the best feeling when clients tell me they booked me because of that reason!
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I think success is extremely personal and can only be defined by you! You know yourself and your goals better than anyone. For me, success is trying my best every day, showing up for my clients and treating them each with intention, always learning and growing, and constantly creating work that pushes me. Success isn’t linear, and my goals are always changing, but if I know I’ve done my best and that my work touched someone, helped someone, or inspired someone, then I’ve done my job well!
Contact Info:
- Email: karaleecreativeco@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.karaleecreative.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karaleecreative/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karaleecreative/
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/karaleecreative/_created/
Image Credits
Kara Lee Creative Co.
