Oh hey there!
You probably just said “yes” and now you’re trying to figure out what you are supposed to be doing next. (And if you are secretly planning BEFORE you have the ring, don’t worry! Your secret is safe with me!) I’m here for you, girl, because I remember having the exact same questions when I was planning my own wedding. There's so much information out there, and it's hard to know where to start!
You know you want beautiful photos, but you also want to enjoy your day with your people. You aren't quite sure if you want to do the traditional things people expect of you, but you need help talking it through. You want the stunning portraits of you and your new hubby, but you also really want candid photos that capture the emotions of the day as they naturally unfold. Sound like the thoughts running through your head?
I’m Karen, the easy-going, joy-filled, taco-obsessed lead photographer and owner of this little business over here in the middle of a corn field, just south of Chicago. I’m a Midwest girl at heart with a deep desire to wander the country photographing love stories in beautiful places. I’ve photographed well over 200 adorable couples and won’t stop anytime soon, because I just can’t get enough.
Take a look around and then head to the contact page to send me a note! I’d love to meet you!
ABOUT
You're Getting Married!
MEET KAREN
My family is rich with a legacy of lasting marriage. That little blessing is never lost on me. From a very young age, I remember sitting down on the green shag carpet of our living room sifting through the old Wolverine boot box full of memories.
Why Weddings
There were snapshots of our everyday family life, but the ones I remember holding onto and thinking about were those rare photos of the wedding of my parents and grandparents. I remember my mom telling me stories her own wedding day and the shenanigans that my uncles pulled on them the night before. But the thing that drew me most to wedding photography was the relationship of my grandparents. They had such a sweet, quiet, silly love that wasn’t flashy or showy. They were just precious together, and it impacted me in ways I never realized at the time. That God created marriage as a reflection of his love for his people is truly beautiful. Sure I love the outward beauty and joy of the wedding day, but marriage? That’s what keeps bringing me back. The legacy of marriage that holds on through the tough times and rejoices in the good is the heart of why I do what I do.
I’m a numbers girl, but I’ll spare you the boring spreadsheets and just give you a few fun ones.
By the Numbers
11
YEARS IN BUSINESS
I never thought I’d photograph weddings because . . . THE PRESSURE. But once I shot one with a friend of mine, I was hooked! Now, they are my specialty!
5
DARLING DAUGHTERS
This totally makes me qualified to handle all of the happy chaos and emotions of a wedding day.
16
states where I have photographed
I have this crazy dream to photograph in all fifty states.
30
MONTHLY BUBBLE BATHS
I can’t go to bed at night unless I’ve had a hot bath with a Lush bubble bar. Even if I get home after midnight from a wedding, a bath is a must!
4
minimum number of times I’ll tear up at a wedding
The first look, the vows, the pronouncement, the first dance and then just add in every father-daughter moment that happens throughout the day. It’s fine. I’m fine. These are all happy tears!
001
THE water
Captiva Island is my favorite place to watch the sunset and look for dolphins, but I’m pretty happy on the beach at the Polynesian Resort or on a boat in the middle of a lake.
NEXT
002
DISNEY WORLD
The Happiest Place on Earth is definitely one of my happy places. The castle, the Dole Whip, the parades, Mickey Mouse . . . take me back!
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003
my girls
Being a girl mom is the greatest gift in my life. Life is full of dance shoes, glitter, a little drama, lots of hugs, and millions of bobby pins and I wouldn't trade it for the world.
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I'm in love with places I've never been to and people I've never met.
See the World
Traveling to new places and meeting new people light a fire in my creative soul that I haven’t been able to recreate in any other way. Sure it’s comfortable to always photograph in the same place all of the time, but comfort doesn’t lend much in the way of creativity. That’s why I love traveling and photographing in places that are unfamiliar to me. Not only do I get to be creative in a new location for new couples, but that burst of creative energy follows me back home and sticks with me for quite some time. If you’re wondering if I travel to a specific location, wonder no longer! I’m always up for a new adventure.
STATES I'VE PHOTOGRAPHED IN
Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Louisiana, Wisconsin, South Carolina, Florida, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Virginia, Tennessee, New York, Texas, Iowa, Arizona . . . and Aruba! (not a state, I know)
States I’d love to photograph in next
North Carolina, West Virginia, Hawaii, California, Utah, Washington, and the list goes on . . .