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 35 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. Karen also enjoys the generous mentorship of Ken Howard, chief photographer for The Metropolitan Opera and Santa Fe Opera, among other well known opera and theater companies.  

In 2003, Karen began to explore live performance production photography when she became the production photographer for Dallas Opera. This exciting challenge has allowed her to combine her visual talents with her lifelong love of music, and has presented many new opportunities in the field of live theatrical photography. Besides Dallas Opera, Karen is also the production photographer for Fort Worth Opera, Dallas Theater Center, Dallas Children's Theater, Water Tower Theater, Second Thought Theater, and The Opera San Antonio. She shoots productions every season at the Metropolitan Opera as well. She has also worked for Dallas Symphony, Houston Grand Opera, San Diego Opera, Portland Opera, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Utah Festival Opera Co., and Morningside Opera Co. in NYC. 

Karen’s daughter Claire is a recent graduate of Hendrix College with a degree in Psychology. Besides traveling for fun as often as possible, Karen plays piano, takes drawing classes, and enjoys her family and all their pets.