Ms. Carey delighted the members of PhillyPAC with a multi dimensional, interactive exposition highlighting the tools required for photographers to find and define their own personal style of photography.

Karen emphasized her four step process which she employs to achieve ones “Signature Style,” that is,  to conceptualize, to materialize, to personalize and to release through inspiration.   It is by means of these techniques that photographers must synthesize their  talents and thus create a comfort zone of their own making which supports their individual creative process. She stressed in her comments that the development of  specific goals cannot be left to chance nor circumstance. The successful photographer will combine his or her own creativity, the ‘tools of the trade,’ and a ceaseless passion and definable goals  into a durable identity as a working photographer.

It was pointed out to our group that fear and trepidation has defeated more than  one highly talented photographer.  It is precisely this kind of anxiety which so often interferes with our  creativity.  Karen recommends that we set in motion a direct assault upon those inhabitive habits  which heretofore have stymied the very essence of our own productive spirit.

We were reminded to hold ourselves accountable while striving to improve our skills in this, a most demanding yet satisfying profession and hobby. Carey fielded all manner of questions from the group with a large set of examples and clarifications,  no less impressive was her keen sense of humor.

Karen presented a number of stunning slideshows of a variety of types of  her images and in  particular a moving and deeply personal project slide show of women who had experienced surgery as part of their treatment for breast cancer. That slideshow clearly touched one and all.

For the last 20 minutes of the evening we broke into groups to examine  sample prints that some of the members of PhillyPAC had brought in with them for review as Karen had offered to have them analyzed to determine where their focus and personal style lay. The groups were active and animated in their discussions and Karen graciously stepped in to help in each of the group’s discussions  demonstrated ever more clearly that we were treated to a lovely evening by a genuine professional. The group consensus is we definitely want to have Karen return soon and speak to us next time about the business of photography!

You can find Karen Carey’s award winning artwork hanging in fine homes and in fine galleries across the country, and on countless magazine covers and national advertising campaigns. You can see more of Karen’s work on her website at www.KarenCareyPhotography.com.

Stephen Shemin