Meet Kara Moore | Wedding + Lifestyle Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kara Moore and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kara, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
Finding balance within your business and creating a work/life balance being a business owner takes time and a lot of trial and error. I’m 4 years into my business, 2 years full time and it has flown by, been the most incredible experience, and has had its ups and downs but this current year has been the best yet and it’s because I’ve learned to say no and set some boundaries. My business has changed over the last 4 years as have my priorities, I want to spend more time at home with my husband and my pets and not travel out of town every weekend. However when I first started my business I wanted to book weddings out of town and out of state as much as possible because it was new and exciting and I love to travel! I realized though that traveling for work and personal travel are very different and although I still book weddings all over Colorado, and book 1-2 wedding out of state or out of country a year I prioritize booking weddings close to home and have lowered the total amount of weddings I book each year making travel as well as my overall business less overwhelming so I can show up 100% for my clients. I’m actually currently on a mid busy season break I scheduled for myself as I’m writing this. I took a week and a half off from shoots to catch up on editing, rest, take a couple days off to go to our local music and arts fair, work in my garden and do some stuff around the house, go to the gym, attend a styled shoot and spend as much time with my husband as I can around his busy work schedule. I plan on scheduling a little time off during busy season every year and also put together a creative shoot or attend a styled shoot every year. I think both of these things are so important in preventing burnout! I’m always learning more about myself and my business and implementing new strategies and practices. Work/life balance has been something I’ve been working on and I’m still fine tuning but I’m so happy with where I’m at and just grateful to have a career that allows me to set my own schedule and have a work life balance.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I was raised in Chattanooga, TN and have a great appreciation for my southern upbringing. My dad was a film photographer in the 80’s for his career and for documenting his personal adventures. He gave me a camera at a young age so I was always familiar with photography but it wasn’t until I moved to Colorado in my early 20’s that I became passionate about capturing the beauty that surrounds us. I upgraded cameras and learned photography and fly-fishing simultaneously with my (now) husband. Taking photos of people came a little later but once I started capturing couples I knew I found what truly makes me feel the most creative and fulfilled and I haven’t looked back. I’m going into my 5th year of business and I’m truly just so grateful.

I’m inspired by nature and inspired by vintage nostalgia. My style is candid and documentary – a touch editorial with a focus on the landscape that surrounds us at a shoot or on a wedding day.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’m based in the Roaring Fork Valley on the western slope of Colorado. There is SO much beauty and so much to do from Glenwood Springs to Aspen. Here’s my recommendations in each little mountain town:

Glenwood Springs –

Where to stay: Hotel Colorado or an Airbnb
Where to eat: The Pullman, Kedai, Glenwood Canyon Brewpub
Best Breakfast: 19th street diner, Rosie’s Bavarian Cafe
Best Latte: Hotel Colorado, Wild Coffee, Deja Brew, Bluebird Cafe
What to do: Iron Mountain Hot Springs, lots of hiking, fly-fishing, whitewater rafting
Where to shop: The Fourth Dimension, Bullocks Western Store, Katie’s Consignment, Village Vintage, Elizabeth Dean Boutique, Hookers

Carbondale –

Where to stay: The Painted Pig, Marble Distillery & Inn, Airbnb
Where to eat: White House Pizza, Phat Thai, Izakaya, Plotsky’s Deli
Best Breakfast: The Painted Pig, Village Smithy, Plotsky’s Deli
Best Latte: The Painted Pig, Bonfire Coffee
Best Cocktail: El Dorado
What to do: The Carbondale Rodeo (Thursdays), Fly-fishing, Hiking, Scenic drive to Redstone/Marble (eat at Slow Groovin’), Avalanche Ranch Hot Springs
Where to shop: Ragged Mountain Sports, Lulus Thrift

Basalt –

Where to stay: The Hoffman, Basalt Mountain Inn, Element, Airbnb
Where to eat: Free Range Kitchen, Mod’s Thai, Butch’s Lobster Shack, Tempranillo
Best Breakfast: Two Rivers Cafe, Cafe Bernard, Open Sesame Bagels
Best Latte: Craft Coffee
What to do: Fly-fishing, Hiking
Where to shop: Heirlooms Consignment, Taylor Creek Fly Shop

Aspen –

Where to stay: Mollie, Hotel Jerome, The Little Nell, Aspen Meadows Resort, Airbnb
Where to eat: White House Tavern, Home Team BBQ, Meat & Cheese, Casa Tua
Best Cocktail: Jbar/The Living Room (inside Hotel Jerome), Hooch Craft, Boat Tow
Best Latte: Felix Roasting Co, Unravel, Spring Cafe
What to do: Fly-fishing, Hiking, Walking around downtown, Horseback Riding, Take the Gondola to the top of Aspen Mountain
Where to shop: Depends on your budget lol but there are a lot of options. Can’t go wrong with Susie’s Consignment and Kemo Sabe

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for my husband. Literally! I decided I wanted to be a wedding photographer when looking for a photographer for our wedding. I had a camera and was a hobbyist nature and fly-fishing photographer but if it weren’t for us getting married I wouldn’t be where I am today. He’s also been so supportive of my business from day 1!

I can’t go without also giving a shoutout to my friend and wedding planner in the industry, Jes. (Knotted Events)
Jes and I started our businesses around the same time and worked together very early on and she was always so supportive, has sent me many referrals but most importantly she is the reason I went full time in my business sooner than I ever thought possible. She said to me one day “what do we need to do to get you to quit your job and do this full-time” I laughed because that seemed like such an out of reach dream my first year but then I thought about it and it lit a fire under me to make that dream a reality. Thank you Jes!

Website: https://www.karamoorephoto.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karamoorephoto