Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Studley.
Hi Karen, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Eighteen years ago, after a cross-country move to Georgia from Arizona, I had to quit my corporate work in Leadership Development Training and re-acclimate to a new life here. At the time, I was a mom to two boys and pregnant with my first daughter and unsure how I was going to manage a work-life balance with our growing family and a traditional office job. At the time, I must have had a few unexpected free minutes to myself because I took the time to read a book titled, “How Not to Come Home from Work Exhausted.” The simple message in the book was to find your passion and success will follow. It was my former mother-in-law who came through for me, and bought me a brand-new digital camera and believed in me and my lifelong love of photography. My young sons presented us with the perfect inspiration for my company name and many hilarious images were captured when they were caught mischievously playing in mud, covered from head to toe. From there, the name “Muddy Faces Photography” was born; a boutique photography company that specializes in natural, unposed and artistic moments.
I started out putting fliers into my neighbors’ mailboxes, advertising my services. The one opportunity that really made a difference for me was when I was asked to take fall pictures for a private daycare in Buckhead (the former “Chastain School”) for all of their kids; infants-Pre-k. It allowed so many families to see my work that my business really took off from there. I never used a backdrop, but spent an entire week carefully and creatively capturing each infant and child outside. I credit these school pictures to have made me a better photographer. I learned how to take a sellable picture within just a few minutes. Many school clients became personal clients who I have worked with for so many years, that I am now doing Senior pictures of their kids.
But that’s not really my story. It is perhaps how my company started, but my story includes all the trials and tribulations along the way that have made me who I am today and formed the lens that I look through. It includes many of life’s moments out of my comfort zone that have opened my eyes to my own strengths and weaknesses and the complicated and varying paths we all take as we live our lives. It is this complication that makes us all richer and more interesting and that is ultimately what makes my work fascinating and enriching. It is the opportunity to be given the privilege to see someone else’s soul (if they are willing to share it) and to capture a part of it and the current journey they are on, whether they are celebrating a baby’s birth, a family reunion, your oldest graduating from high school or hiring me for headshots because of a new job. To me, that is the privilege that makes my work worthwhile.
Lastly, I should add that I spent my formative years growing up in Munich, Germany and still consider that my other home since my family is still there. It wasn’t until college that I left for the US. I spent K-12th grade at the Munich International School, a school that had over 40 different nationalities in our graduating class. Multiculturalism has always been foundational in how I was raised and I find that all of our unique diversity is what makes the world a better place. I always hope to capture your own uniqueness when I get the opportunity to see you through my lens.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As mentioned earlier, I started my photography business while pregnant with my third child. Eighteen years later, I am a mom in a blended family of seven kids; four which are mine from my first marriage, two are his and one, we have together. Apparently, I am glutton for punishment! But my biggest struggle has always been trying to balance my business along with my family life. In a space where I have a lot of kids needing my attention, prioritizing my personal and professional growth has been a major challenge. An analytical person would roll their eyes at my backward and chaotic bookkeeping skills or the fact that I prefer a tangible day-timer as my calendar despite the obvious inefficiencies.
I love working with children and families. Being a mom to so many kids is absolutely chaotic but it has also given me my superpower. I clearly identify with this particular niche and understand the importance of patience and flexibility. Let’s face it, a shoot with kids is always going to be unpredictable! I always say that my own kids are my most challenging clients (sorry kids!), but they have absolutely prepared me for my game face with yours. I have seen it all. I have had kids throw up at my shoots. One longstanding client arrived for their session just to reschedule because their young daughter ended up pitching such a fit about having to wear particular shoes there was no turning back. There is always a 50/50 chance before the session that family members fight with the impending pressure of pictures and arrive angry with each other. Seniors might have completely different visions than the mom, causing some strife. Little kids have forgotten to wear underpants, as it turned out unexpectedly. Several 15-year-old girls haven’t wanted to physically touch other family members, which makes the shoot fun when you are trying to highlight a connected family. I have faced the relatable complication, sensitivity and obvious emotions when working with blended families. The list goes on… and I hope that all my clients understand that I absolutely appreciate them for it all and they are safe to collaborate with me in whatever form works to make the shoot a success. They are my client base and occasional family chaos is a part of it. I even built my business structure around it and allowed for last-minute re-scheduling, adding a few extra minutes to a shoot, if needed, and strive for a stress-free experience.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am often asked what kind of photography I do. Who is my target audience? I cater to all types of clients with all types of needs. But to better answer this question, I should indicate that people are typically drawn to me because I strive to capture my subjects in a very natural way. Natural maybe a sweet smiling face, but many times, is not… It is my kids who have taught me to recognize moments; split seconds that French Photographer Henri Cartier Bresson refers to as “The Decisive Moment;” the magic second where a story is told. (Like the terrified faces when kids first see Santa… Haha)
I should also add that I am a natural light photographer and specialize in shooting in beautiful outdoor locations. My favorite spots to shoot in are any sunflower fields I can find, a beautiful river or lake and any backdrop with a spectacular sunset.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.muddyfaces.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/muddyfacesphotography?igshid=MjEwN2IyYWYwYw==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/muddyfacesga?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-studley-b567316
