These two have a super fun relationship which shows up in the images!  I am so glad I've met them and get to work with them as they start their lives together!

Mother's Day Special!!!  Celebrate Mom with an Arbonne makeover that's pure, safe, and beneficial, and get a fun glamour photo session!!  Call or email me for details!!!

I snapped this image of our German Shepherd a few months ago and I finally got around to doing something with it.  This is Dyno, our almost 10 year old gentle giant!

Carissa wanted a 1940's feel to her day, and I think she pulled it off beautifully.  Matthew wore his US Air Force Mess Dress for the occassion.

Thank you so much, Carissa and Matthew for choosing Captured by Karen as your photographer!  I wish you a lifetime of love and happiness!

The beautiful floral arrangements were created by Rosewood Floral.

Carissa's dress is by Maggie Sottero.

Then I started thinking about my daughter and how someday she will be a woman.  I wonder if she will look at herself the same way I look at myself.  Will she want to exist in photos.  Will she be happy and confident enough with the way she looks with all of today's ridiculous standards.  I realized that I can help her by helping myself.  If I exist in photos where I feel good about myself at this age, at this point in my life, then maybe when she's at this same point, she can look at these images of me and she can be brave enough to be in those photos, too.  I would like my future grandchildren to know about me and be able to pass my story along.  I'd prefer to have nice photos passed on rather than ridiculous cell phone pictures.  So, I set up my studio, grabbed my remote, and had a photo session with myself.  Sharing these isn't easy for me, but I feel strongly about the importance of existing in photos.

Happy Little Girl That look!

Featured on Brides Without BordersSee the feature here: :)

If you haven't checked out Brides Without Borders, yet, you are missing out!  They provide images, advice and venue info for destination weddings - really a stunning blog!  I ma honored to have one of my weddings featured!  Go check it out!  :)

See the feature here: :)

Venue ~ Sunlight Mountain Resort  (I highly recommend this beautiful location!  And the coordinators are great to work with!)

Musicians (they were awesome!) ~ Hell Roaring String Band

Makeup and Hair Artist ~ Sharon at Narcissus Salon

Dress ~ Saja

Vendors

Venue ~ Two Rivers Winery and Chateau

Dress ~ Annalise Bridal Boutique

DJ ~ Stewart Cruicshank, Windy City Entertainment

(You can click on the slideshow to view the images individually and pin to your Pinterest boards or share on Facebook!)

I was able to get my boys (husband included) dressed up for a few minutes to let me take some photos of them.  My daughter is always ready to dress up.  Me, too!  I am so thankful for my assistant, Liz, for snapping this shot of us!  We even got the dogs, Dyno & Beulah, to pose!  Some things are meant to be! :)

My daughter and I were looking through some photos from our summer, trying to find one that she wanted to send with a care package for a child she's sponsoring for Operation Christmas Child.  I came upon these and had to share.  I just love these of her!

Thanks for looking! :)

Venue ~ Alta Lakes Observatory

Thank you so much, Amy & Jeff, for letting me be a part of your amazing day!  I think it was absolutely perfect!  Congratulations to you and your amazing families! :)

I had the pleasure of capturing a beautiful vintage-styled wedding a couple of weeks ago for the lovely bride, Rachel and her groom, Ben.  This wedding had so much detail from dress to the vintage candles.  We couldn't have asked for a more gorgeous day!  A special thanks to Jen Swedhin for being my lovely assistant!

Vendors

Venue ~ Amy's Courtyard, Palisade, CO

Dress ~ Claire Pettibone

Makeup Artist ~ Hope Carlton, Perfect Touch Makeup

Band ~ Straygrass bluegrass band

Caterer ~ Berna B's

Hair Artsit ~ Eddie Waldrick, Harrah's Salon

Florist ~ Country Elegance

Wedding Cooridnator ~ Tonja Kueper-Rinaldo, I Design Weddings and Events

Decor ~ Robin Brown, Robin Brown Events

The school year is almost over and it's time to start thinking about senior photos!  Yearbook deadlines come up quickly and my sessions fill up fast, so be sure to get yours scheduled soon!

DSC00229

DSC02682

Mother's Day is coming up and Captured by Karen will be having a very special portrait series to celebrate!

Plan a day with your mom, or your daughter, or even your sister to treat yourselves to a fabulous makeover and glamorous photo session!

If this sounds like a fabulous time to you, ask me about my gift vouchers - $100 off your session and $100 print credit!  Spots are very limited to please get in touch with me soon!

Ps - I also have some images for sale that include Lensbaby shots - you can check them out here! - http://bit.ly/14nPHtv

Location, location location!

DSC02307

DSC07420

DSC07418

cbk2647

Signs!

cbk2151

cbk2626_edited-1 DSC01817 DSC02787 DSC02789 DSC02792

DSC02795

DSC06394 DSC06481 DSC06943 IMG_4700

The Bling!DSC02394p

DSC02279

Personal Touch!

DSC01580 IMG_4720 DSC00943 copy DSC06579 DSC06573 DSC01980 copy cbk2729 cake collage Yes, that's a Lego cake with a can of Skyline chili.

Don't I have amazingly creative brides (and grooms ... maybe?)!

I'm really looking forward to all of the wedding bliss that 2013 brings!

One year ago today, my husband, Leo, went into cardiac arrest while at his office.  Leo is a very healthy, young, skinny, and athletic man, so this came to us as a total surprise.  We now believe that it was due to a blood clot from a wrist surgery he had done a week prior.

Many miracles happened that day - the arrest happened in front of another person who immediately dialed 911; there happened to be a police officer nearby who had super-human powers and responded within 26 seconds.  The list goes on.  But what really saved my husband that day was the AED unit that had recently been installed in his office building.

Do you know where the closest AED unit is to you?  Is there even one in your place of work?  I work from my home - I have a fire extinguisher, but I don't have an AED.  My other job at the middle school just put one in last Spring!  These units save lives!  Yes they're expensive and yes they don't get used very often - thank goodness, but when these situations occur they are priceless.

We are very thankful for all the events that took place one year ago today.  I encourage you to look into getting an AED for your office, place of work, or even home.  My husband now has a permanent one in his chest.  I would like to get one in my home for myself and the kids, or any guests.  These emergencies can happen to anyone.

Thank you for reading!  I promise my next post will be more about photography!  Have a fabulously healthy day! :)

Photo by Tanya Pearce of Redhawk Photography

karen-0101p

The sun came out today!  I've been wanting to get outside and take some portraits without anyone having to bundle up, and today was the first day of this year to do so!  These are some shots of my daughter. 

I'm planning on a concept shoot for all you lovely ladies in May in honor of Mother's Day!  I have a licensed hair and make-up artist coming in to help compliment your gorgeousnesses (I don't think that's a word!)!  Space will be very limited, so please let me know sooner than later if you're interested in something like this!  I'm thinking mothers, mothers and daughters, sisters, girlfriends, etc.  A grand time will be had by all, plus you get to look your best AND have it captured for all time! :)

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Here is my try at young Cosette.  Some think it looks like the famous Afghan girl portrait from National Geographic.

I wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas, especially all of you celebrating for the first time - baby's first Christmas, newlyweds, etc.  It is such a special time of year and you only get to celebrate the first once!  So here are a few images from the past year of those special folks who are celebrating for the first time!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

cbk-03179

DSC05455

DSC05550 copy

DSC06063

DSC06595

DSC06610

DSC00706

DSC02266

DSC03580 copy

DSC02303

DSC05283 DSC05306 DSC05300 DSC05299 DSC05280 DSC05261

DSC03800 copy

I love smash-the-cake sessions!  This adorable little guy just turned 1 and I had the opportunity to capture his reaction with his little cupcake!  Handprint on the face - priceless!

DSC03580 copy

A quick peek at this beautiful new relationship!  This amazing mom is my brother-in-law's sister and an amazing mom of now 4 kiddos!  Congratulations, Jaida!

cbk-01941 cbk-01942

Once they had their finds, they started interacting with each other.  This brother and sister are old souls.  They have so much love, respect, and understanding for one another.  I asked them to hold hands - no problem!  I asked them to give each other a  little hug - no problem!  Then I asked them to whisper secrets in eachother's ears - again, no problem!  If it were my kids, there would have been whining, crying, and possibly punching.

cbk-02019 cbk-01959

cbk-02033

We had great conversations and I really enjoyed the company.  Sheree`, you and your husband are amazing parents with amazing children!  I can't wait to work with you all again!  Thank you so much for letting me capture these kiddos - it was very entertaining! ;)

cbk-01968 cbk-01979

cbk-02002 cbk-01993

Liz & Jonathan - I can't wait for your wedding in September!  Time is going to fly, so enjoy every minute!

cbk2475

So a month or so ago, Jessi  & Andrew contacted me for a maternity session!  You can guess how giddy I was!  They had everything very well planned out with lots of creativity, which I just love.  We went to Main Street for a mini-session and let the creative juices flow!  It was a blast and they rocked the session! 

For some of the shots, they wanted to incorporate some letters that spell the baby's name which will be used in his nursery.  Arlo - I just love this name!  It's so unique!  I mentioned to Andrew & Jessi how teachers tend to have unique names for their kids so that they aren't reminded of their students - lol!  That's how my own kids got their names - I was teaching when I had them.

Andrew & Jessi - I am so so happy for you guys and I can't wait to meet your little Arlo!  Thank you so much for letting me capture this special time for you!  Enjoy every minute! :)

cbk-01554

cbk-01528 cbk-01502 cbk-01520

cbk-01473 cbk-01451 cbk-01403

Towards the end of the assembly, Officer Zen (what a cool name!) presented the Life Saving awards.  There were quite a few officers who received this award, which also included a medal.  One story in particular hit home, of course, because it was my husband's story.  I was holding back tears throughout Officer Zen's speech, but I did manage to get a few photos without shaking too much.  I was so honored and proud to attend, and watch Leo stand next to Officer Marshall Dixon as Officer Zen presented the award to him.  I am so grateful and thankful to Officer Dixon!  My kids also were able to attend and witness the celebration.  They got to shake Marshall's hand and thank him properly for saving their dad's life.  We got to meet his family, too!  He has an awesome wife and the cutest little baby boy.  I hope to know them for the rest of our lives.

Thank your for everything, Marshall!  You are a true hero!

I am so thankful for:

1. Timing - he wasn't driving, sleeping, or by himself.  This happened in front of another person so he got immediate help.
2. Mr. Mike Hardy - Mike is the president of my husband's work, Agapito Assoicates.  Mike and my husband were having a conversation when Leo arrested.  He immediately made the right decisions, called 911, and began helping.
3. Gary - Unfortunately I don't know his last name, but he is another engineer in Leo's office.  It was Gary's idea to get a defibrillator for the office.  Every business should consider investing in one!  Hopefully it will never be needed but when it is needed, it saves lives.
4. Officer Marshall Dixon - Officer Dixon just happened to be nearby looking for a stolen U-Haul trailer.  Once the call was dispatched it took him 26 seconds to get to my husband and use the office defibrillator.  He went above the call and duty and saved my husband's life.  He is a true hero and I can't wait to meet him in person to thank him properly.
5. Defibrillators - they save lives!
6. EMT's - they shocked my husband 2 more times, did CPR which kept the blood flowing through his lifeless body.
7. St. Mary's Hospital - wonderful staff, technology, facility, ... can't say enough!
8. Hypothermia Therapy - a newer technology that helps heart & stroke patients have less/no brain damage.
9. Nurses - all of the nurses who cared for my husband.  They even cared for me and helped me through this in so many ways.  They are genuinely interested in their patients and care deeply for all involved.
10. Dr. Thomsson - the Intensivist that helped me & Leo while he was in the Cardio Vascular ICU.
11. Dr. Duffy - the amazing cardiologist who was with Leo from the ER to checkout.
12. Dr. Garmany - The other amazing cardiologist who put the defibrillator into Leo's chest.
13. Kelly Clarkson - this may be a little weird, but those of you who know me know that music is a huge part of my life.  Every time I turned my radio on last week, Kelly's song, "What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger" was always on and helped me stay positive.
14. Facebook - Facebook allowed me to post updates so that I didn't have to make a million phone calls or write a bajillion emails explaining the same thing over and over again.  It also showed me how many people who love me and my husband around the world.  All the comments from my friends, family, and even people I don't know made me feel like they were with me holding my hand as we waited.  Very humbling.
15. My children's teachers - they have been very supportive with my kids - letting my son call me during the day to check on his dad, letting them write about what was going on and share with the class, helping them make cards and letters for their dad.  It all helped them deal with this very hard to understand disaster.

16. All my friends, family, and staff & students at Redlands Middle School  - the encouraging words, prayers, and thoughts.  The offers to help, the cookies, meals, flowers, cards, and gifts were so helpful.  They all have inspired me to be a nicer person.

This may sound cliche, but please know that life is precious and very short.  Love everyday.  Remember what really matters at the end of the day.  Know that miracles DO happen.

Lastly, I am also very thankful that my husband, Leo, is a fighter, has a strong will, and came back to us.

karen-0675p

Photo by Tanya Pearce of Redhawk Photography

DSC01300 copy

DSC01278

DSC01272

DSC01264bw

DSC01320bw

Beauty in Death

I feel that exciting times are ahead for me and CBK!  It seems that everything is lining up perfectly.  Next week I get to photograph a new little boy who is the son of a friend I've known since grade school.  I also get to do a maternity session for a former bride & groom of mine!  My favorite lens company (Lensbaby) has come out with a brand new portrait lens.  I have weddings booked for this year.  Zenfolio has added this really great blog feature that is a part of my website.  A client's 4 year old daughter sees me and says, "There's Captured by Karen!"  There are just so many pieces of my life that have finally come together and I'm doing what I should be doing!   I feel like I've come a long way since I started in 2009, as an artist and a businesswoman.  Blogging is new to me, so bare with me!  I'm not much of a writer, but I can appreciate how blogging can connect with my clients/fans/readers.