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MEET KARA
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I'M KARA HANES

Hey there!

 Grand Rapids, Michigan Wedding and Senior photographer plus educator. more importantly I'm a wife, mom, aunt, and friend. honestly i'm just over here trying to live my best life.

I didn't always have this business

In fact, just a few years ago you could have found me in a sea of preschoolers. I received my early child education degree in 2007 and I taught preschool for 10 years.

How does this help? As a preschool teacher I learned how to multitask while the never ending chaos was happening. I know how to obtain gentle authority when needed but also how to step back and let moments happen as they were intended. I communicate often and when necessary and I promise to make it fun in the process.

Our spunky 13 year old  who loves fashion, riding her bike, and all things My Hero Academia.

NAOMI

This 15 year old  has a heart of gold, he's a detailed thinker, amazing artist, and the coolest kid

CALEB

Mom, Wife, Teen Mentor, Educator,  photographer and lover of coffee, caramel and bread.

KARA

BEN

Dad, Husband, Electrician, Running Enthusiast, and the one that brings all the fun to our family.

MEET THE FAMILY

My stage 5 clinger, who will give thousands of kisses and is a professional napper.

BELLA

Ben and I dated for 4 years before we were married in 2006. We were high schools sweethearts that attended two different schools. After dating nearly 5 years he popped the question and we were married the following year. One year later we had our first child Caleb, and two years after that, Naomi. Being parents together is by far the best journey we have been on so far. I couldn't have asked for a better partner and he is the best dad!

Our Love Story

I'm probably sitting on the couch with Bella in my lap (Pictured is our late dog Phoebe) or perhaps I'm playing a game with friends or family. Some things are more important than working all the time. Don't be surprised if I don't respond to emails, texts, or calls right away because I'm probably out enjoying more than just work. I promise I will get back to you the next business day.

Currently...

2016

Quit my FULL TIME job and invested in online photography education along the way.

STARTED my BLOG and email list

celebrated 10 years married to my best friend

got my first passport and traveled OUT OF THE US

2012

MOM OF TWO WHILE TEACHING PRESCHOOL 

started my PHOTOGRAPHY business as a side hustle

Photographed my first wedding

2017

took a hiatus from the photography business to ANSWER A CALLING  in student ministry

focused on family and a job working with high school and middle schoolers

still kept pursuing photography through CAPTURING youth events

2019

TOOK A JOB WITH claim your campus 2020 A STUDENT LEAD PRAYER EVENT FOR THE NATION

2020

MY JOB CLOSED DUE TO THE PANDEMIC

re-opened kara hanes photography 

photographed over 14+ high school seniors

upgraded EQUIPEMTENT

rebranded and launched my new website

Trained and walked my first half marathon

2021

RECEIVED MY FIRST PUBLISHED pieceS in  WEDDING DAY AND SENIOR YEAR MAGAZINES

launched my first senior rep program

Ben and I celebrated our 15 year wedding anniversary

UPGRADED MY PHOTOGRAPHY EQUIPMENT

Received the grandtastic award from GRKIDS. NUMBER ONE GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN photographer

Started my second senior spokesmodel program

WON number one photographer for GRKids for the seoncd year in a row.

Started photographer education COURSES

switched to weddings and senior PHOTOGRAPHY

2022

OUR SON WAS BORN AND WE BECAME PARENTS

BOUGHT MY FIRST CAMERA THE CANON REBEL 

Photographed my first Senior Session

Photographed my first engagement session/Proposal

2008

2. THE BEST TITLE I HAVE IS:

a. Photographer
b. Professional Napper
c. Creator
d. Girl Boss
e. Other

1. IF you could eat one food for the rest of your life it would be:

OH YEAH, WE'RE DOING THIS
VINTAGE magazine STYLE

The Kara Hanes Quiz

3. MY drink of choice is:

a. Caramel Latte'
b. Cinnamon Orange Tea
c. Amaretto Sour
d. Coke
e. All of the above

4. on my days off, the first thing I do is:

5. my go-to outfit is:

a. Sweat pants and sweatshirt
b. Jeans and a tee
c. A dress and heels
d. Anything from target

6. i am deathly afraid of:

a. Public Speaking
b. Heights
c. Spiders
d. Flying

7. one place i've always wanted to go:

8. most likely to binge watch:

a. The Bachelor
b. Fixer Upper
c. The Voice
d. Gilmore Girls

9. Favorite thing to photograph:

a. Puppies
b. Families
c. Kids
d. Couples
e. Seniors

10. What is something you're bad at:

THANK YOU!

I'll will be in touch soon. 

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GRAND RAPIDS, MI  WEDDING AND SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER