Karen Walker Studio

2011-03-27T20:55:00.002-04:00

Since New Year's day I've been busy making plans for some major changes to the studio. My artwork and artistic style has changed dramatically over the past few months. Ordinary photography just doesn't cut it for me any more. I feel driven to create lasting treasures that will be cherished and enjoyed forever. I realize that many people will still come looking for the quality photography that has been the mainstay of my business since 1992, and that's fine. But soon I will be redecorating my studio and re-launching my website to reflect my new offerings. If you are interested in being a part of this exciting new endeavor please give me a call. I'll be happy to photograph you and/or your family at no cost. Who knows? You may just end up in one of my new displays!

In With the New

2011-01-01T19:10:00.002-05:00

I'm really looking forward to the new year. I've decided to follow my heart and take on some more artistic projects. I'll be painting portraits and doing some extensive enhancements that go well beyond any ordinary portrait to create something very special for my clients. You'll probably see me at some art fairs this summer and I'll have lots of new displays at the studio and around town. I'm in the process of re-doing my web site to feature my new offerings. It should be ready in a week or two.

Out With The Old

2010-12-31T16:46:00.002-05:00

Some serious house cleaning is happening at the studio. Old props that I never use, a chair that's in my way, a broken light.....anything with dust on it is fair game. 2011 will be the year that I finally get everything in order. Now if I can just find the vacuum cleaner bags.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

2010-12-15T22:30:00.002-05:00

Ahh, Christmas. In case you don't already know, the holiday shopping season holds the most anticipation for many retailers. We look forward to many happy customers making purchases that will bring joy to everyone on Christmas morning. I am always delighted to think that my clients care enough to give the gift that only they can give, a personal portrait.
But for retailers and shoppers alike, the holidays bring stress and chaos that makes us wish for life to just return to "normal". So please, stop and take a deep breath, and remember why we celebrate. And remember to savor this time. It will pass and all too soon. And share some photographs, old and new. For this is how we remember our special times.

Life is back to normal

2010-12-10T22:03:00.002-05:00

Just when I'd decided to take this blog off my website because I felt that no one read it, I have several people comment that they read about my husband's surgery. So I'll try to post more often and keep this up to date.
Life has pretty much returned to normal. Hubby's doing very well. I'm always amazed at what the human body can endure. Heart surgery is no small thing but recovery has been textbook perfect so far. Thanks to everyone that sent well wishes our way.
On a sad note, we recently lost our family pet. Our cat Lucky was a beloved member of the family and we will miss him always.

Tempting Fate

2010-09-28T19:09:00.003-04:00

I should have known that I'd be tempting fate by proclaiming that this would be an awesome year. I haven't posted lately because my hubby had to have open heart surgery. Fortunately, everything went well and he's on the road to recovery. Of course, I dropped everything and temporarily closed the studio while we get through the rough spots. No small feat in the middle of my busy season. I'm looking forward to being back in the studio by the middle of next week and seeing life return to normal.
On an positive note, I've had some time to think creatively and I have some exciting projects in the works. I'll be looking for models so give me a call if you are interested in being a part of something that's a little on the crazy side. Let me know that you've read this blog post when you volunteer to model and I'll give you a free print of whatever I create.

2010-08-12T23:21:00.002-04:00

It's the end of the first day of my really awesome year and it was a good day. Photographed another high school senior and did some interesting artwork to one of her images. I'm looking forward to showing her photos to her next week. Also photographed a family at Elm Point this evening. Mom, Dad and three kids. Lots of fun and again, nice images. They are heading home to Texas tomorrow so after the photo session we returned to the studio so they could pick out their favorite images while the kids ate ice cream! I'm thankful that I could show them their portraits so quickly. Yup, a good day.

2010-08-11T09:15:00.001-04:00

Today is my birthday. Do me a favor and ignore that previous sentence. The only reason I mention it is because I told a friend that this is going to be an awesome year. I'm not sure why I said it. There's nothing particularly special about this coming year. Yes, I have plans to do some good things; I'm scheduled to teach several photography classes, I'll pay off my studio morgage and probably create some wonderful images for clients to treasure. And yes, something could happen that would change my view. Sure, I could sit back and have another "normal" year. But barring anything tragic, why shouldn't this be the best year of my life? I'm sure that with a little extra effort, I will be able to look back on this year and say "Yup, it was a very good year".

Open House Party

2010-07-24T20:36:00.002-04:00

Here it is, several weeks since I've written a new post and I think I spent most of the time holding my breath, waiting for the results of the International Print Competition. It's been nerve wracking but I really enjoy the excitement. I put a lot of time and effort into perfecting my skills and making every image the best possible. And yes, it has paid off with another International Photographer of the Year award!
I'm so excited I felt this would be a good time to celebrate with an open house. Everyone's invited to stop by the studio this Thursday, July 29th from 4 - 8 PM. Enter to win some nice prizes like portrait sessions and discounts. I'll have snacks and drinks for you to enjoy while you check out the images that got the big awards.

Let's go to extremes

2010-06-09T15:30:00.000-04:00

OK, I admit, it seemed a little weird. This morning the Today Show had a piece on "extreme poodle grooming" and I thought it was weird and cool at the same time. Weird because who really needs to turn their dog into a work of art? And cool because, well, your dog can be a work of art! And then I thought how fun it would be to photograph a dog or anyone or anything else that's a little weird and extreme. Come to think of it, some of my favorite things are a little weird and/or extreme. Probably just the artist in me.
So now I'm inspired. I want to photograph people (and/or their pets) that are a little extreme. No too crazy weird, that might scare me. But just enough different to be, well, different. So let's create something together. Think of how you can be extreme; dress outragous, color your hair, jump in the air! Or think of an unusual place to be photographed; underwater, in the alley, on the roof, riding a cow? Why not! Give me a call and tell me you saw this post and we'll create something cool together. Tell your friends too. If I get enough cool images we'll have an extreme party!

Facebook Overload

2010-04-28T23:39:00.003-04:00

Facebook has taken over my blog. Actually, it has taken my attention away from this blog. To those of you that have actually visited here expecting to see a recent post and been disappointed by my lack of activity, I sincerely apologize. I have lots to share and I promise I'll be better about posting here.

Another Convention

2010-03-06T21:22:00.003-05:00

It seems like the entire month of February was taken up with preparing for and then recovering from the state professional photographer's convention. As treasurer for the Professional Photographers of Michigan, a large portion of my duties occur around the state convention. So I've been pretty busy crunching numbers.
The other thing that takes a lot of my attention is print competition. State convention is where it all starts. It's the first run for images that may or may not continue on to regional and then national competition. I did fairly well this year, bringing home a Kodak Gallery award and having the best images in both of the electronic imaging categories. Not to mention the third highest scoring set of prints in Michigan! Regionals are happening in the coming weeks so I'm keeping my fingers crossed for more great scores. Print competition is a lot of fun but it also makes me a better photographer. I feel my clients benefit too, especially since I treat every photo session as an opportunity to create another award winner. Who knows? The next top portrait could be of you!

Chaos from order?

2010-02-05T20:48:00.002-05:00

I'm fairly well organized, at least when it comes to client work. But there's always room for improvement and I decided, kinda of a New Year's resolution, to really clean up and organize the studio. Well, long story short, it's become a much bigger project than I first planned. My almost new office is getting a makeover. Moving a wall, new carpet and a display for all the new photo accessory items. I also have plans for a new set to go along with the many new backgrounds that are ready to be put into service.
So while my office is being outfitted, I've moved my workstation into the framing room. But fear not, everything is completely operational. Just don't trip over all the stuff in the hallway!

10,000 Photographers Rockin' Nashville

2010-01-17T21:51:00.001-05:00

That's right! Ten thousand professional photographers together in one place. My trip to Nashville was great and even though the weather was cold, the people were warm and friendly.
I'm looking forward to using the new backgrounds and software that I bought and put into pratice some great ideas for portraits and framing. I'll also be offering some great new albums and cool products like photo license plates, dry erase boards, image boxes, jewlery and purses. But first I'm rearranging my entire studio and clearing out some clutter. And keeping my new year's resolution to be better organized.

I'm packin'

2010-01-06T19:49:00.002-05:00

All my bags are packed and I'm ready to go.... I'm not leavin' on a jet plane but I am driving to Nashville for the Professional Photographers of America's annual convention. I'm joining about 8,000 or so other professional photographers to learn new things, see new things and meet new people and I'm sooo excited! I'll be back in the office by Monday the 18th, maybe sooner unless I need a couple extra days to recover.

New Year, New Start

2010-01-02T10:27:00.004-05:00

It's all about wrapping up the past and making a fresh start and that's exactly what I'm doing with more enthusiasm than ever. Over the next few weeks I'll be cleaning, sorting and organizing everything at my studio. If anyone wants prints, negatives or digital files from more than one year ago, now's the time to make your request. After seventeen years of business I have run out of storage space. So starting today you will have one year to order prints or products. I will do my best to keep the negative or digital file of any image that you've ordered should you ever need a replacement. Otherwise I will assume that you are not interested in everything else and it will be discarded at the end of one year.

Goodbye 2009

2009-12-31T18:07:00.001-05:00

I'm ready for 2010! Not that 2009 was all that bad. I met and photographed some great families, added some beautiful baby portraits to the walls of Charlevoix Area Hospital and had lots of fun photographing some great high school seniors. But now I'm looking forward to what I hope will be my most creative year ever. And now I have a brand new blog to share with you.
Happy New Year!