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.
Our spunky 12 year old who loves swimming, singing, and playing roblox.
NAOMI
This 14 year old has a heart of gold, and is a very protective big brother.
CALEB
Mom, Wife, Teen Mentor, Educator, photographer and lover of coffee and bread.
KARA
BEN
Dad, Husband, Electrician, Running Enthusiast, and the one that brings all the fun to our family.
MEET THE FAMILY
The newest Hanes. She's the sweetest dog. Our 7 year old pomeranian maltese mix
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!
I'M PROBABLY SITTING ON THE COUCH WITH MY HUSBAND BEN WHILE WATCHING A MOVIE. 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.
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 INVENT 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:
