Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Schroeder.
Hi Karen, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always had a love of photography, my mom used to get so frustrated when she’d go to use our camera and found that all the film had been used. I bought my first SLR when I went to college – a Minolta x570. I took a couple of photography classes but decided to be a print journalism major – I’m not sure why, because writing is not my favorite thing to do.
After graduating, everything I ended up doing was marketing, so I went back to school for my MBA. I worked at the Kansas State University Alumni Association for several years as Director of Communications. I then became a stay-at-home mom. When I was pregnant with my first child, my husband asked if I’d like to get a digital camera (it was new technology then.) New baby and wildflowers. That were what I photographed most. I quickly found, though, that the camera did not do well keeping up with a fast-moving toddler. While my kids were young, I dove into a course with the New York Institute of Photography to refresh my skills and gain new ones.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I don’t think owning any business is ever truly “smooth.” There are always ups and downs, seasons of growth, and seasons of learning. One of my biggest challenges is that the portrait experience I provide is a luxury, not a necessity. That means I’m not just selling photos. I’m helping clients understand the value of the experience and the importance of tangible artwork they can enjoy every day. Finding the right clients who appreciate that full-service approach and investing in meaningful, physical products takes education, consistency, and trust. But it’s also incredibly rewarding when families see their portraits on their walls and realize it was worth every step.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Once I had my digital camera and my kids got older, I began photographing their friends and their sports, which led me to team sports photography for a few years. And, as the kids got bigger and faster, my camera’s got bigger and faster. About four years ago, I moved into a studio in Manhattan, KS. Now, my primary focus is families and pets as well as headshots and branding photography.
I also like to give back to my community through my photography. I hold a fundraiser each February/March for the Prairie Paws Animal Shelter in Manhattan. This year will be the 5th year. Over the past four years, Pooch Playoffs has had 51 participants and raised over $5,500 for the Shelter from the session fees. It’s a fun event and I absolutely love photographing the four-legged fur balls for a good cause.
Another event I host is an empowerment day for tween girls each summer. This summer will mark five years of that as well. For this event, I work closely with Andrews and Associates Counseling to find speakers and topics that uplift young girls. The registration fees the girls pay are donated to a local charity that has rotated each year. In the past 4 years, 89 girls have attended and raised $7,400 for charities. Both events are made possible with the help of local sponsors to cover event costs.
Another heartwarming event I help with is sponsored by a service organization, Pilot Club of Manhattan. They partner with the Kansas State University Baseball team to host a day for special needs children. I love seeing the children’s faces light up when they meet their players. I photograph each child with their player(s) in the K-State Locker room, and we send them a print after the event. After their portraits, the players take the kids to the ball field for a fun game of baseball.
These three events are sprinkled throughout the year and are an exciting change up to the everyday portrait work I do. My goal as a photographer is to give my clients a unique experience that results in artwork they can hang on their walls and see every day. Studies show that children who see family pictures in their home feel loved and secure. I want children to be able to look back in years to come and see their photos. Because when Mom and Dad and their phones aren’t around, where are those images going to be?
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I’m the oldest of four and the only girl, so growing up with three brothers definitely shaped me. At the time, I thought they were a pain (they’ve mostly grown out of that), which meant I spent a lot of time in my room reading and listening to music. We lived in the country, so walking to a friend’s house wasn’t an option. When my mom would drive me, I loved spending time with my best friend Angie riding horses at her place.
In high school, I found a mix of creative and social outlets. I was a cheerleader and also on the yearbook staff, serving as editor my senior year, which helped build my leadership skills and sparked my love for storytelling through images. Summers before I was old enough for a job were often spent helping my mom in the garden and learning how to can produce. Looking back, those quiet moments, creative projects, and time working alongside family really helped shape who I am today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.karenschroederphotography.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenschroederphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kschroederphoto
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-schroeder-mhk/
Image Credits
Karen Schroeder Photography
Karen’s Headshot: J&C Imaging
