Life and Work with Karen Lao

Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Lao.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Karen. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My full-time career is an IT Developer in the DFW area, but photography is one of my main passions. I graduated from UT Austin in 2011 and moved back to Dallas for my first job. At this time, I also took up photography as a hobby. I posted a lot on Instagram, and that’s when my photography really took off. I became a Suggested User on Instagram (more details here: https://www.karenlao.com/blog/2014/11/12/instagram-suggested-user) and gained a large following. After I gained my following, I got a lot of brand partnerships and continue to do so today. My identity is now my brand, and I’m mostly known for documenting areas around Dallas, whether it’s food, coffee or interiors, and integrating my daily life, including brand partnerships, authentically into my feed.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Some of the struggles I faced were whether I was staying true to myself or not. In the beginning, I accepted all brand partnerships because it was a cool experience, but I started limiting myself to only brands I resonated with. My photography style also had to cater to new projects I took. It was challenging, but I loved simultaneously learning how to run a business and how to create my own style for the subjects I was shooting. For women starting, I would like to tell them to keep experimenting, find their own voice, and remember to pat themselves on the back for achievements, no matter how small. When you are trying to build a business or brand, it can be easy to compare yourself to those more successful. It’s important to acknowledge your journey and growth.

Another challenge would be balancing my full-time with my photography/influencer jobs, but it’s all about time management. I have a to-do list I update every day to keep myself on track. I plan all my shoots in advance but leave room for flexibility also, which is very important when juggling so many schedules.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with your business – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I’m known for capturing my actual life in an authentic yet aesthetic way. I post about my wide range of passions and hobbies, including photography, my IT job, fitness, travel, and interior design. I’m very proud that I’m able to capture all aspects of my life and still keep my audience interested. I try to be genuine and truthful about my life instead of making it “picture perfect.” I think what sets me apart is how versatile my topics are.

Were there people and/or experiences you had in your childhood that you feel laid the foundation for your success?
Yes, there were several experiences.

I grew up with only my mother and sister, so I saw how hard my mother struggled to give us everything we needed. I knew from a young age that whatever I wanted in life, I would have to work hard for it. When I was in school, I loved learning. My mother wasn’t concerned about education, but I wanted to challenge myself to see what the best outcome could be. I ended up graduating as salutatorian of my high school class (and later had to explain to my mom what that meant) and I took that work ethic with me through college and my career. I think that plays a huge part in setting goals for myself and achieving them.

I also think that my experience with computers as a young girl helped shape my interests in technology. I taught myself HTML and graphic design when I was 12, and it really sparked both my creativity and love for coding. I’m happy to be able to continue both interests in my full-time career and my side business.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.karenlao.com
• Email: karenlphoto@gmail.com
• Instagram: karen.lao
• Facebook: karenlphoto
• Twitter: kcyalao

Image Credit:
Karen Lao

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