Today we’d like to introduce you to Kara Warren.
Hi Kara, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
If you asked me two years ago if I would be running my own business as a wedding photographer, I would have told you that you were crazy. But, it’s funny how our callings come to make themselves known sometimes– in quite different ways than we could have ever anticipated. It is as C.S. Lewis states in Mere Christianity, “Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of – throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself.”
This is precisely the nature of my story. I graduated with my undergraduate degree in 2021 from Baylor University in Biochemistry, minor in Biology. I had every intention of entering the medical field after continuing my education in medical school. However, when the pandemic hit, I had less commitments on my plate in addition to school, which in turn led me to pick up two books off the shelf, namely “Don’t Waste Your Life” by John Piper and “Garden City” by John Mark Comer. Little did I know that reading these two books would change the trajectory of my career.
These books caused me to wrestle with the question of whether or not a career as a doctor was the call placed on my life and whether this was the place where I would be stepping into the fullness of everything I was created to be and to do. Succinctly, the conclusion I came to was no: I was created for something different, something more. So, what was the call on my life?
My passion ultimately is people. Loving others, hearing stories, speaking encouragement, and building relationships. And photography became the avenue where I could live this out, paired with other passions of mine- such as traveling, spending time in nature, and creativity.
I went full-time into freelance photography right out of the gates upon graduation–which let me tell you, looking back on that decision I can’t help but laugh and think to myself, “that was such a crazy decision.” Without a single client and means of paying a bill, to the outside eye, it very much appeared as if I had lost my mind. But due to the peace that guarded my heart and mind during this season, I believed there was no other way to live than to fully trust in the call placed on my life.
I began to shoot photos for anyone and everyone I possibly could, even if that meant I was shooting for free, and slowly I began to build my business from the ground up. Long nights, little money, and lots of YouTube videos later, I began to understand all the different aspects that play into building a business- beyond the mere photos-, and little by little I began to see the fruit of my labor.
Now I spend most of my weekends shooting weddings and elopements, traveling to the most beautiful places, and getting to hear such special stories. Sitting in the place I am at today; I cannot help but sit in gratitude for the path that has been set before me. Does that mean it was always easy? Absolutely not. But was the sacrifice worth it? 100%. That is the beauty of living in your call: when hard seasons come, endurance will always be the resolution of your heart because there is simply no other way or place to live than in the fullness of who you were created to be.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
This path had definitely not always been a smooth one– but then again, no path ever is. One of my biggest learning curves was figuring out how to run my business. A degree in Biochemistry does not teach you anything at all about being an entrepreneur, so for me, the marketing, client management systems, financial aspects, and technical tools were new concepts I had to tackle. And here is a personal shout-out to YouTube videos for all that I have learned! It just goes to show that you never have to start out with a background or training in photography to become successful!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a freelance photographer, specializing in couples’ photography. I spend a large majority of my time in the wedding and elopement area, and I specifically love spending my shoots out in national parks and nature. I think the distinctive portion of my brand is the authenticity of my photos as well as the experience that goes into the photo process. The aim of my work is to capture a feeling behind a moment, a feeling for a person, and the feeling of a certain season of life. The purpose of my pictures is not to create beauty, but simply capture raw beauty in the fullness of glory. Therefore, I believe my photos always remain true to who each person and moment are. But the only way I can achieve the alignment of work and authentic expression is by knowing the stories behind each photoshoot I take on. Due to this, the relational aspect of my work is perhaps what I believe holds the most weight, not the photos themselves. Through conversation, questions, and encouragement, I am slowly able to understand the heart behind the picture and depict in physical form what may go unseen to the untrained eye or stranger.
We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Most of my clients might actually be surprised to know that my major in college was Biochemistry, and my minor was Biology. I had every intention of entering the medical field in my post-graduate education, but it is funny how calls come to fruition in life sometimes. Now I exist as a photographer well-educated in all things scientific and nerdy! I could tell you all about my thesis-style report over Heme-oxygenase 1 for my Biochemistry 2 Lab, but I guess we can save that for another place and time!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://karawarrenphotography.mypixieset.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kara_warren_photography/?hl=en
Image Credits
Kara Warren Photography
