Photoshoot + Interview: 'Savannah' by Karen Ni Photography
This stunning photoshoot by Karen Ni Photography will have you feeling awe-struck, because this talented creative is just 16 years old.
Located in San Diego, CA, Karen's utterly stunning work reminds us very much of world-renowned photographer Emily Soto's. They're filled with pastel dreams, whimsical notions and bokeh-filled backgrounds.
For this particular shoot, Karen teamed up with Naturae Design and Celia Grace Wedding Dresses to create that romantic look that she was after. As well as capturing the essence of both of these companies perfectly, she was also able to capture the naturally beautiful radiance of Savannah Belanger (from Willow Models).
We're very excited to present you with an exclusive interview with the inspirational photographer, and we hope you enjoy her insightful answers below!
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Q: When did your passion for photography first blossom?
A: My journey into photography was purely spontaneous. I took photographs because I found comfort in the art and naturally fell into it. Surprisingly I didn't understand my passion for photography until my friend had mentioned that I was an aspiring photographer, and now I am a photographer.
Q: What inspires your creativity the most?
A: People and nature inspire my creativity. How songwriters communicate their pain, how everyday people react to their struggles, how painters visualize their happiness, and more.
Q: Please tell us about the experience you had whilst capturing these beautiful images?
A: My experience was simply fun. I was lucky enough to shoot on a cloudy day, which is the perfect time for photographers to shoot as it allows more flexibility for them during their editing process. Initially I had created an elaborate moodboard that was filled with moody warm tones and planned on shooting during golden hour, but of course, nature stepped in and worked in its own magical ways! I completely steered away from my original plan and went with my gut. I became inspired by the location, which was the beautiful Balboa Park (that I had chosen a few days ago, since it didn't work out with my last location), and it was my first time shooting with the model, Savannah Belanger at Willow Models. Throughout the shoot, I talked with Savannah. We shared jokes, learned how we started our passions, and coincidentally found out that we met the same person, who lives almost a state away from us, around the same time. The more I knew about her, the more I could feel her energy about the shoot. The shoot began to also reflect her individuality, quirkiness, and elegance. Although the shoot didn't go as planned, I am happy with the results.
Q: What does an average day in the life of Karen look like?
A: Most people are surprised that I don't only do photography, yet most artists often have interests of their own! I'm a 16-year-old incoming high school senior. I have two summer jobs in the educational business that involve photography, graphic design, and marketing. I participate with my school's Science Olympiad and volunteer with various organizations that promote STEM education and random acts of kindness. I almost am always planning for future shoots, scribbling in my ideas notebook (because I can't draw for my life), editing and shooting photos, and reblogging on Tumblr. Of course, I don't do all of this in an average day. It is mostly just watching re-runs of sitcoms on Netflix, editing photos, and spending time with the people I love.
Q: What do you hope to achieve with your photography in the not-too-distant future; Do you have any exciting, upcoming plans you would like to share with us?
A: It would be a dream to, one day, take photos along with the industry's Sebastian Kim or Annie Leibovitz, but it would be even more than a dream to inspire and help others with my photographs. I feel fulfilled to be able to use my passion to support other people's passions, whether it's taking photos for a volunteer event or a friend's small business. Good people deserve nice photographs. At the moment, I'm working on a future collaboration with designer Michelle Hébert, which I'm absolutely stoked about!
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We want to thank Karen so much for taking the time to answer our questions, and we encourage you to visit her website or follow along on Instagram (@nislapper) for more of her amazing work. Enjoy!
