Meet Karla Kieffer | Landscape Photographer

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

Hi Karla, we’d love to hear more about your end-goal, professionally.
I don’t think there is no end goal for me. I’m doing exactly what I want, which is taking landscape shots, and being able to sell my work. I’m definitely not pushing it as hard as I can be, but that has more to do with other things I find more important in my life which are my children and making sure they are successful first and foremost.

I started very late in my photography career. Some reasons by choice and some by lack of encouragement and wisdom, but here I am now making the best out of a different situation that I am in. I am exactly where I need to be and I thank God for that.

What should our readers know about your business?
I’m still a work in progress. Finding what works, what doesn’t is a difficult process. I enter exhibitions, fair contests, and online submissions to get my work out there. I started doing pop up events and slowly moved into doing events for the city’s art festival’s which have been a big part of my success.

Being published in different magazines and media has been great and have had a small online store selling minimal items. I now have plans to start a different type of online business: to sell prints that are poured with resin, and framed.

I do eventually want to move out from my own city to do different art events and see how my work is received. It’s a very vulnerable place to be, but sometimes constructive criticism is needed to grow.

I’m thankful for the lessons I have learned, throughout the process of each event I have done, and will continue to do. You have to be ok with people either loving or hating or your work. You can’t please everyone, and that’s ok. Your art is your own; you create it for yourself first, and want to share with the world . If you are pleased with what you have made, that’s all that matters.

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?
Considering my love of the mountains, I’d take her to the mountains as much as possible! Haha!
I would love to take her to Lone Pine, Alabama Hills and Mt. Whitney for a few days, So many trails we could hike and places to hang out. I’d take her to the Mt. Wilson Observatory and check out one of their nightly events or concerts that they have. I would love to cook for her, because I do love cooking. And what makes her my best friend, is that she is a lot like me, so a day at home to hang out and just relax and talk will be needed for sure. There are some nice local trails we can check out as well and maybe do an overnight camping and check out the stars.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My husband Chris, who has been the biggest supporter of all of my career! He is the one who pushes me when I feel defeated or if I’m start to doubt myself. He has always encouraged me and has seen my potential when I didn’t. He works in the film industry as a graphic designer so he has helped me by using some of my shots for tv shows or films and that was a nice boost.

I have had all kinds of support from friends, family, and even people I have met along the way from doing art events. It’s been a great encouragement and I feel so grateful knowing people enjoy my work as much as I do.

Website: https://www.karlakieffer.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/k_j_kieffer_photography/profilecard/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kjkiefferphotography?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Image Credits
Self Portrait by Karla Kieffer
All landscape photography by Karla Kieffer