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

The Taylor Family takes on Westerner Days | Red Deer Family Photographer

  Ever since having a family of my own, photographing parents and their beloved little ones has taken on a whole new meaning.  I love tagging along on little outings or just spending some time documenting everyday life.  This session was a first though! Thanks so much for having me join you at the Westerner Days Fair Taylor fam, I am so totally in love your photos!  I hope that you are as enchanted as I am!Would you ever get your family photos taken at the fair?  If not, where would be your dream location?!  

May your portraits age like a fine wine!

 The truth is I don't want your portraits be that cheap pair of flip-flops that broke after one summer of use and then were carelessly tossed into the garbage.  I want your portraits to be that favourite pair of leather boots.  You know the ones!  The ones that just make you feel so darn gooooooood everytime you put them on!  I want them to hang proudly on your walls or rest lovingly on your coffee table. I want your portraits to make you smile every time you walk by that gallery wall or flip through the pages of your album.  I am wildly aware that this will not work for everyone's taste and/or budget and that's ok, because these days there are an incredible amount of photography options to choose from.  But for YOU, you know who you are..... you think less just might actually be more, you would rather have 10 stunning prints for your wall than 100s of files lost on a hard-drive.  For you, I want to create something one-of-a-kind, something long-lasting.  Seriously though, is it egotistical of me to want the photos I take to be the ones handed down to your great-grandchildren?  I imagine that they will lovingly look through them, perhaps they will need to smooth out a crease from it being accidentally folded into the gutter of a book, or maybe the ink will be slightly faded from sitting on that sunny livingroom shelf, and they will wonder to themselves about what life was like all the way back in 2018 with all it's strange, beautiful moments and trends. 

The Straight Facts | Honest Reviews

 Hello Friends!As you know I began my journey into capsule wardrobes and responsible fashion just over a year ago.  I have learned so much and have discovered sooo many incredible brands and makers along the way (I'm talking rule-breakers, wave-makers who are genuinely making the world a little better).  And as promised, I am going to share as much of this info with you as I can!Before I get started, I do really want to clarify a few things. 1. Most of the clothes I will be sharing I have personally purchased.  BUT some have been given to me in exchange for photos.  2. NO ONE has given me clothing in exchange for my review.  Now why, am I telling you this?  Because if you are anything like me, you find it exhausting to try and navigate whether someone truly loves a product or if they are only saying so because they want to make money selling it!  (UGH)  So to be perfectly clear, I am making ZERO dollars telling you my thoughts on these pieces of clothing.Now all that said!  I am so exciting to start sharing some of my favourite ethically made garments, in hopes that it might help you!  Because ordering online is scary!!!  OK so are you ready? 

 I am going to start out with a review of the

FREE LABEL Tulip Tee

!  You have almost definitely seen me wearing this top whether on Instagram or around town.  I L O V E, love it.  Seriously. 

 Pros:

• It is incredibly soft and flowy

• Made from Bamboo cotton which is breathable, antibacterial, biodegradable and sustainable!

• Washes incredibly well. I wash mine on the hand-wash cycle in my washer and hang to dry. It has been washed ALOT and is in perfect condition.

• It can be dressed up or down. Ladies, I wore this top layered over a little black dress for a fancy dinner, and I've also worn it with yoga pants to dance class! It's very versatile!

• It's reversible!!! You can were the tulip in the front or in the back.

• Made in Canada by lovely people

Cons:

• There really isn't one. I love this top!

• The cost seems scary. (it is worth it though)

 If you have ANY questions!  Let me know.  I am more then happy to help! 

What did I do before photography? | Embarrassing Photos Included

I recently had someone ask me, "What did you do before this."For a second I was confused, but soon after realized what she meant; what was I doing before I became a mom and started taking photos.  My reply, "Nothing.  This is what I went to school for!"She had no idea, and I suspect a lot of you didn't either.  You guys, the becoming a professional photographer part of my life was so long ago, in fact it's been 9 years since I got that business licence.  Sometimes I forget just how much that stage in my life shaped both me and my business. So what do you say, shall we do a little reminiscing today? 

---

 It all started in 9th grade when I signed up to go to Mexico with our church.  Before this trip, I had been to the Calgary Zoo haha.  So ya, let's call it the beginning of Karmen's love affair with travel.  My mom lent me her beloved camera (honestly still can't believe this, thanks Mom).  It was her baby, a Nikon F80, silver and black, rather large for a young girls hands.  Attached to the front was a zoom lens, and in the back I loaded roll after roll of film.  You guys, I easily shot a roll of film a day and was quickly promoted to trip photographer lol.When I got home I dropped that giant ziploc bag of film off at the local London Drugs and waited.  Oh my word, does anyone remember the gloriousness of waiting for your film to be developed?!  Everything about it, right down to that weird chemical smell is something I will never forget about shooting film.  When they were finally finished, my mom and I sat in the car in the parking lot (like we did every time a roll of film was developed) and looked through them all.  She thought they were really good, and I mean that's all that really matters amiright?She encouraged me to enter them in some contests, I won.  I was shocked.....  But basically my head was in the game to graduate High School and to go to university for something BIG.  You see, at the time, both my Mom and Nana had been single moms who devoted their lives to raising their families.  No post-secondary for them meant I WAS GOING TO GO UNIVERSITY!  I was going to get a degree and it was going to be for something important.  Together we thought that perhaps I would be a great lawyer or a doctor (soooo not smart enough haha) or a nurse.  I wanted to be a Archeologist.I focused on my core subjects throughout highschool, I didn't take a SINGLE art class haha.  The irony.  I had an after school job at a local coffee shop (shout out to Kavaccino's!!) and I savvvved and savved for tuition.  But, truthfully, I ended up spending most (ALL) of it on a trip to Europe and then a trip to Bolivia. My logic here, the government certainly wasn't going to give me a loan to travel..... and I still needed some time to be 100% sure I knew what I wanted to be before spending an insane amount of cash on schooling...You see this idea of being a photographer was creating a lot of doubt (and excitement) in my mind, something about my previous plans just didn't seem right anymore.  But a photographer?  I mean, is that really something that can be a career?  I decided to wait another year.  I got a job at a cricket farm.  Yes you heard right.  I was indeed a cricket wrangler lol.  During this year one of my former teachers said the magic words I needed hear, "I think you would make a fantastic photographer"...  That was it, apparently that was allll the validation I needed.  I decided the time had come to be brave and leave all my carefully laid plans behind for something entirely different.  I was going to apply for NAIT's competitive photography program, and if I happened to be one of the 28 people chosen for the program then I would be starting school in September!!  Weeee!  Cue the nervous anticipation.Needless to say, I got in and, oh friends, the fit couldn't have been more perfect despite the fact that I hated the city (not for long tho, Edmonton won me over with her subtle charms).  I LOOOOOVED both the artistic and technical details of photography.  I loved breaking down lighting and understanding it.  I loved the chemistry of developing film. I loved rich history of photography and photographers.  I loved it's impact.By the end of my first year I was already working for several incredible photographers and I will always be so grateful for all the knowledge they shared.  It didn't take me long however, to realize that I didn't want to work for someone else.  I wanted to start my own studio.  I was clueless, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.But here we are today, through all the ups and downs.  9 years, many trips and two babies later;  I still LOVE it.