As a portrait photographer, one of Karen’s greatest gifts is her ability to create an easy rapport with most anyone. Her confidence and sense of humor create a comfortable environment, allowing her subjects to relax and be themselves. Combine this with her strong visual talent and the result is a series of beautiful and powerful images that capture the spirit of the human experience. Karen’s childhood was filled with appreciation for art, as her father Wes studied oil painting. Her sister Andrea and brother Chase share the talent, and both enjoy successful painting careers.

Karen’s photographic career has spanned 30 years with experience in photojournalism, commercial photography, portraiture and theatrical photography. Her formal education includes a BA in Photography and a graduate degree in Theology. She began her career as a portrait photographer with Gittings Studio in Dallas. After a rigorous training program, and 2 years as the senior photographer, Karen started her own portrait business. She continues to explore new opportunities for artistic expression with both film and digital technology. Karen is a member of an exclusive group of 8 women photographers in Texas who have mentored and inspired each other for over 20 years through seminars, travel and friendship.

Currently, Karen is thrilled to be photographing for the Dallas Opera, an exciting challenge to combine her visual talents with her lifelong love of music. As their production photographer, Karen photographs the dress rehearsals for each opera. She has studied with Met photographer Ken Howard over the past year to improve her work. Ken has inspired her to go beyond documentary photographs of a production, to compose and create beautiful images of the singers and sets that evoke the grandeur of opera itself.

Karen and her husband Steve Goldman built a home studio in 1990 which has allowed her to have a full time career while raising their daughter, Claire. Their family enjoys their pets, cooking, music and travel.