Kara May Photography Blog bio picture
  • {The Blog}

    Thank you so much for taking a peek and exploring my blog. I’m Kara May, a portrait and commercial fashion photographer living in Mesa, Arizona. Due to a loyal client-base in the Seattle, Washington area, I also travel limited amounts each year. Please inquire about travel rates if you are interested in booking a session with me in your city.

    Throughout this blog I will be posting previews from recent client sessions, featuring the talent of various clothing designers & products in my ‘Designer Spot’, and sharing a little bit about me and my life outside of photo sessions and commercial projects. I have two busy young children and a loving & supportive husband all of whom I mention throughout my blog. My family provides the inspiration and support I need to evolve in my work behind the camera.

    Thanks again for checking out my blog!

    To receive the latest information, promotions and other happenings at Kara May Photography, click here to sign up for my newsletter.

{‘My Instagram Life’ – it’s more than just food photos}

Most of us have them…another life on Instagram.  We may have a Facebook life, an Instagram life and ‘real’ life.  Instagram is a fun outlet for me to post everyday moments with ease and without lugging my big heavy camera around.  And I can honestly say I don’t know if I’ve ever taken a food photo (shocker I know…)  oh wait….I have taken a picture of what I’m putting in the crock pot since cooking is a struggle for me as well as healthy smoothies I’ve made.  So I guess I lied…I may have a handful of food photos.  I’m just not a foodie. lol  Anyway, when I first started Instagraming I thought it was my own private albums and a place to store pics.  I had no idea they were shared for any user to view if they so choose.  Then my friend Laura & Haleigh informed me one day that they commented on something on Instagram…I was like, ‘What?’  Yeah, I do that a lot.  I had seen comments but thought they were an auto thing from Instagram.  I know….you’re laughing at me.  But now I get it and it’s such a fun way to share pictures with friends near and far with ease.  So what can you do with your Instagram pictures?  That’s what I wondered after taking dozens of pictures.  There are so many places to print your Instagram photos now!  Places are popping up everywhere with the most creative way to display and print them.  I just ordered my first set of images from ‘Origrami‘  http://www.origrami.com  I love them!  They’re printed on heavy 4×5 postcard quality paper and they come in this cute little box!  I love them.  I plan on pinning them up with little clothes pins in my office…either within a large frame or just on the wall. I’ll take a picture when I remodel my office and put it up.  The back of the print shows 12 unique designs if the photo map information is not included on your photo. This makes Instagraming even more fun!  I’ll be sharing more Instagram randomness soon – I may make this a series too.

You can follow my instagram life at karaphotogirl on Instagram if you’d like.

 

Kristy, Life-n-ReflectionMay 21, 2013 - 10:57 am

These are beautiful, what fun idea!

LeslieMay 16, 2013 - 12:16 pm

Thanks for sharing! I’m ordering one now! Love this and your product images ROCK!

Chloe AustinMay 16, 2013 - 10:44 am

Wow! What a great idea. Thanks for sharing :)

Dan and MelissaMay 16, 2013 - 10:30 am

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MelissaMay 16, 2013 - 10:29 am

This is so great. Love the “thank you” tags!

mugsie5May 14, 2013 - 4:45 am

great idea

Lindsay McKeenanMay 13, 2013 - 10:00 pm

Seriously ADORBS! I love this. And you might want to consider product photography too. You rock my dear!!

HillaryMay 13, 2013 - 9:59 pm

This looks like such fun! Your Instagram is THE BEST by the way! Thanks for posting this!

Maria MendezMay 13, 2013 - 9:57 pm

Oh I’m ordering some if these right now. Thanks so much for sharing!!! Always so excited when you post.

{I did it! I finally have a Facebook business page}

It has been extremely very busy, insanely fun, ridiculously non-stop time for me and my business lately (and it’s not even busy season).   I have so much to post about.  Workshops I’ve had the honor to speak at, ladies I’ve met and now call my friends, shoot after shoot, traveling like a nomad, and yet trying to be ‘in the moment’ as a mom, wife, friend, etc.  So with all of that business – I finally gave into the pressure from friends, clients and peers to get a Facebook business page.  I know…it’s about darn time right?  {shrug}  Here it is!  https://www.facebook.com/karamayphotography  I’ll be posting recent sessions, things that inspire me, everyday things that help with my creative juices, and more.  I try to blog as much as I can, but I have to be honest…it’s much quicker and easier for me to post on FB and interact with you all.  I love hearing from you and of course getting to know those that follow my work.  We have a common passion, otherwise you wouldn’t be here reading this right now.  So come visit me and say hi.  I’d love to hear from you.  Thanks!

 

dossaniplusMay 13, 2013 - 2:43 am

Outstanding work. He really made my day that much more special. I now have incredible pictures that will hold better memories than my mind can ever recreate.
dossaniplus.com

MelissaMay 11, 2013 - 7:43 am

I am so thrilled to see this :)

Lindsay WestinghouseMay 10, 2013 - 11:07 pm

You have a beautiful page! You, by far, are my favorite photographer. Can’t wait to see more posts.

Megan JMay 10, 2013 - 11:04 pm

This makes me happy! Congratulations! I’ve been following you for years!!

JessicaMay 10, 2013 - 11:03 pm

You have no idea how excited I am about this! You should r done this years ago but I know, it’s just more to manage. So happy to see your gorgeous work in another area of the web!!

{What ______ looks like} ‘siblings, swimming & sugar’

It’s that time again!!  These are so fun and I so look forward to making sure I squeeze these into our busy life.  I usually have my iPhone camera where ever we go but this forces me to get out my big camera and capture every day fun.  This month has been nuts and I wish I could’ve captured more fun, simple, living in the moment fun.  This month was the opening of ‘pool season’ (sort of) in the May house.  Brielle was dying to go swimming so she talked her brother into coming out and jumping in with her.  They ended up only getting in to their shoulders since the water was still 70 degrees.  Ty’s only a fish when the water is 80 degrees.  Brielle is normally always a fish but she only wanted to get in all the way  if her brother joined her.   Below, is a treat!  We try to really manage the amount of sugar we give our kids (don’t laugh) so this was a BIG DEAL!  Cookies!  Girl Scout Cookies!  The kids made me giggle as they got these out, stacked them and then asked me for some cookies.  Yes, guilt trip!  So I made a little shoot out of it and had them wait a little.  I asked them questions and got some silly expressions.  I’m easily entertained by them. After scrolling through this post please click through the circle to see what the other talented ladies in the group have posted. I’m sure Jenny Cruger will have some amazing eye candy.

glass clampMay 9, 2013 - 10:38 am

I’m hoping it will show a higher CTR for the contextual ads as they are being served more and are relevant to the niche, so maybe compare your findings to the previous couple of weeks.

seaphotography.co.ukMay 2, 2013 - 2:39 am

I love how natural your images are. Kids are great and you show this in your photos. Lovely work :)

Catherine VargasMay 1, 2013 - 10:44 am

I love your pictures and those kids are beautiful :)

http://www.vindiebaby.com
Vintage Inspired Girls

amy graceApril 11, 2013 - 9:03 am

i feel like you’ve bottled up summer, and it’s only yet spring! your colors are out of this world beautiful. and it all starts with those eyes. it must be tiring hearing about the beauty of your family, but i have to add that i wholly agree. you make gorgeous images, kara.

brendaApril 11, 2013 - 6:53 am

Oh what fun! Summer is definitely upon us! Swimming and Girl Scout thin mints say it all….time for Summertime fun! Every time I see an image of the two of them together, they seem so so extremely close…I adore that!

Jenny CrugerApril 9, 2013 - 6:45 pm

These are stunning. love the tones and light and your kids are gorgeous!

shalondaApril 9, 2013 - 1:01 pm

oh kara y’all crack me up hahahaha love the eyebrow ones hahahaha

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LeslieApril 8, 2013 - 1:03 pm

This looks like so much fun! And swim season already?! You’re so lucky, we have snow! And your post has me craving Thin Mints! Love every photo!!!

KendraApril 8, 2013 - 12:56 pm

Freaking adorable!!! I want to swim in your pool and I’ll eat cookies with your kiddos too. These are just too cute!

Maria MendezApril 8, 2013 - 12:34 pm

Honestly! These are amazing and your kids need to be signed with a modeling agency if they aren’t already!! I love how fun these are!

SharonApril 8, 2013 - 7:40 am

Love this! Looks like lots of fun and laughter!

[...] you don’t make it to the end, please continue through the circle to the talented Kara May of Kara May Photography  for a glimpse at her life last [...]

{sunshine + a happy family = a fun photo shoot!}

Guess what I got to do this weekend?  I got to finally meet Stephanie Moore in person!  As many of you know, she’s a very talented photographer in Tucson, AZ.  We’ve been friends for a while on-line and we teach classes together on “The Bloom Forum”.  We’ve seen each other over the internet and talked on the phone but we’ve never had an opportunity to meet up in person.  But when I met her I felt like we’d known each other forever!  She’s an amazing mom, photographer and friend.  I’m so glad I got to meet her family too.  What a fun bunch!!  Carter, her son was a giggler.  Every time I went to straighten his shirt he busted out in laughter…he’s EXTREMELY ticklish!  And sweet Brooklyn, is a sweet soul.  She’s a little pro too.  I can tell her momma is a photographer!  And the newest little one in the bunch was so patient!  What an amazing little girl.  I pushed her to the limits with all of the locations we hit and she didn’t make a peep until the very end letting me know she was over my camera ha!   And of course Stephanie’s husband was very kind and held my bags for me when I had my hands full.  Seriously! What a guy!  I loved our time together and can’t wait to meet up again.  We agreed we need to get together more – my kids would love her kids.  I’m excited.  Here’s a peek at our session.

ZiláApril 22, 2013 - 9:06 am

I so loved these images! The colors are so cheerful! The family is gorgeous and the locations are the best!

mugsie5April 4, 2013 - 6:07 am

simply wonderful

KendraApril 3, 2013 - 5:05 pm

These are darling. The one of the baby against the wall with her peaches and cream skin & blue eyes is to die for. The light is unbelievably amazing! And I love that shadow picture. Absolute perfect and a beautiful family!

ingridApril 3, 2013 - 4:57 pm

Gorgeous pictures, gorgeous family!

HeatherApril 3, 2013 - 3:35 pm

Freakin gorgeous!! Eye candy with the amazing light. Seriously jaw-dropping session!!

heidi hopeApril 3, 2013 - 3:26 pm

Oh my gosh Kara, amazing! Love all of the color and light. And Stephanie, seriously gorgeous family! Beautiful session.

I will treasure these forever. Thank you my friend for capturing my family so beautifully. I am so lucky to call you a friend, you truly are one in a million!

Leslie AnneApril 3, 2013 - 2:53 pm

Oh my!!! I’m saving money to have you photograph my family Kara! It’s been a long time coming and I can’t wait!!! These are simply amazing!

kristinApril 3, 2013 - 2:44 pm

So, so good! I love all of the vibrant colors. Beautiful family, Steph… gorgeous captures, Kara!