The Story Behind the Photos // The Mojave Collection

Travel Inspired Art in the Mojave Desert by Karmen Meyer Photography

Travel Inspired Art - the Mojave Desert by Karmen Meyer Photography - Roy's Motel and Cafe -Amboy- Route 66 - California Road Trip

Lifestyle Portrait Marathon // May 18 and June 22

  So excited to be hosting a Portrait Marathon at Meridian Beach and my home studio on May 18 and June 22nd.  These sessions are perfect for boudoir, couples, families, bloggers, business owners and brands!  Please shoot me an email HERE to book.UPDATE** Only two sessions available on May 18 and a handful on June 22d

Brand Sessions Just Got Even Better

 Oh I have some exciting news to share with you today!!

I have officially partnered with this talented woman to take branding sessions to the next level!  Tammy Swier of Tammy Swier Design is a graphic designer, web designer and visual director with an incredible eye for developing your brand.  We have been working together for the past year and I just adore her natural instincts when it comes to style and design.  I can't wait to show you what we have created together so far! If you have any questions or are considering if a brand session is right for you just shoot me an email!  I'd love to help you out.

Warmly,

Karmen

Every Body Is Beautiful for DOTE Magazine

It all started at the beach. Young, modest and insecure; I found myself wading in the water wearing a one-piece Speedo covered with a t-shirt and board shorts. I’m not sure why I felt my thighs were embarrassing or that my body was something to be covered and unseen, I just know that by being covered up I was hiding. I was afraid.

It was at the beach that I saw mothers, women confidently in bikinis. I watched them in awe, and disbelief. How did they not feel concerned with all the people around them seeing their imperfect bodies? How did they get the confidence to so nonchalantly show themselves to the world?

Years have passed and I am now a mother myself. I think back to these moments I had when I was young, so insecure, yet, so amazed by the confidence these women exuded. Their freedom and confidence gave me permission to be OK with myself. I could dress like myself. I could be myself. I could breathe.

It’s been a process, and I’d be lying if I said that I figured everything out. The whole journey has left a lasting impression on me and it is the reason why I photograph women in a way that claims back our womanliness and celebrates the female body for all of its strength and loveliness. This shoot is a culmination of these things as well as so much more. Each woman pictured has been on her own unique journey, and I couldn’t be happier that we all ended up spending a chilly evening standing together in Mill Creek, Edmonton.

My hope is that others will see these incredible, strong, smart, beautiful women as a source of encouragement and strength. That perhaps for a few, it might just be the first step on a road to self-discovery and self-love. Let’s look out for each other, friends. Let’s take every possible opportunity to build each other up. You don’t know when a young girl, covered up in a speedo, will be watching.  

Publication: DOTE Magazine 

Models: Marielle Elizabeth, Hannah Hamilton, Osase, Kendra Allen, Sharon Litchfield, Justine Ma, Anna Stein

Floral Crowns: Lacombe Florists

Hair: Jill Keech

Make-Up: Shake-up That Make-up Tiiu Antrea

Clothing: Red Ribbon  

Poppy Barley Fall Launch

When Jane from Poppy Barley emailed me about attending their Fall Launch event, I thought for sure she had made a mistake.  I'm a full-time mom/photographer who lives in the middle of nowhere, I don't get invited to fashion launches!  Soooo naturally, I quickly wrote back so that she couldn't change her mind lol!!  But in all seriousness, I cannot tell you how happy I was to celebrate Poppy Barley's new store and their 2018 fall line-up.  You see, Poppy Barley was my VERY FIRST responsible shoe purchase and it was scary because, as we all know by now, responsible fashion costs more.  And spending money stresses me out friends.  I usually have to mull over purchases for weeks to months, and in this case YEARS.  Ya, that's right, it took me 2 whole years to finally purchase my ankle boots, and I have zero regrets.  In fact, I went back the next year for a pair of mules!!  To put it simply, I wear them All. The. Time.  They are comfortable and seriously level-up my outfits!I really want to to say a huge thank to the Poppy Barley ladies for having me, and for putting on such an intimate event.  I had so much fun hanging out with some of Edmonton's best humans!  And you guys I brought home a pair of the leopard print flats (which was a prettty bold move for me)!!  Eeee, I love them so much and cannot believe how many garments I can pair them with.  I had to turn down the most comfortable pair of oxfords I've ever had my foot in, but I just love how this pair of D'orsay flats completely changes the look of my outfits.  I swear, it's the shoe I didn't know I needed! If you haven't already, I can't encourage you enough to check out this Women-run Edmonton-based company, they are a dream.  If you have any questions about my experiences with them and their shoes ask away below!  I genuinely love chatting slow-fashion with y'all!

Warmly,

Karmen 

PS.  If you could have any pair of shoes from the Poppy Barley fall line, what would you get?!? 

Shadow Play | Style Session with Volerra, Finders Keephers Boutique and Boheme Goods

Ain't nothing like photographing other creative souls. I could give you a thousand reason to book a soul session or brand session, but I'm just going to let the photos do the talking today. If you have any questions let me know!! 

Styled by Tammy Swier Design for Volerra and Finders Keephers

I didn't mean to make you feel bad. | Ethical Fashion

 I just wanted to say sorry, I didn't mean to make you feel bad.  Truly I didn't.  In fact, causing you to feel less then was one of the main fears I had when I started to share this journey...In case you are feeling a little lost, let me give you some context. ***cue that weird musical transition they always do in movies when they change scenes for a memory haha** The past few months have been filled with many wonderful events and photo sessions.  I got to met and chat with so many incredible women and like-minded souls.  I dressed in clothes that I feel great in (and didn't immediately get covered in food, dirt or duck poop)!  For this fairly introverted, rural Mama of two it was somehow completely energizing and exhausting in the best kind of way.It was during these wonderful get-togethers that I began to notice a reoccuring dialogue that went something like this... 

A says, "oh I love your shoes, where did you get them?!"

B uncomfortably replies, "ahh, shoot, you had to ask me in front of these capsule wardrobe people haha." 

OR

C says, "you look incredible in that dress, I would love to find something like that."

D looks towards me with shame, "ummm, Zara."

 There was a lingering guilt or shame or maybe it was something else.  Either way, I have begun noticing it more and more where people feel that they need to explain to me why they can't currently purchase responsibly-made fashion.  But let me tell you, whether it's a postpartum body, the initial investments, or the fact that you just really like shopping, you DO NOT owe me an explaination.  I never have and never will look at your outfit and decide what kind of person you are.  And in that same breath, I do not think buying ethically made clothing makes me a better person then someone who doesn't.  It is, quite simply, a place in my life that I felt a need/desire/ability to make a positive shift.I began sharing my journey because I couldn't have made this change without the incredible help of those who bravely shared theirs with me.  You might notice the use of the word brave there and feel a deep desire to roll your eyes, but it IS scary to put yourself out there.So, long story short, I will continue to share about responsible fashion because I think it is a fabulous and much needed conversation, but please don't let it discourage you and if you ever have any questions or thoughts please share!!  You DO NOT need to own a single piece of responsible made clothing to join this club and conversation!!!Warmly,Karmen