Capturing Pure Joy - Karen Vargas Photography

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in photography but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Karen Vargas, Founder of Karen Vargas Photography, located in Fresno, CA, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Karen Vargas Photography is a Mexican, woman-owned small business in the heart of the Central Valley of California. It serves couples, graduates, and growing families all over the country who are seeking to have their stories told. It serves those who love intentionally and wish to celebrate big and loud or intimate and meaningful seasons of joy.

Tell us about yourself

I am a first-generation college graduate, and as such, I entered the workforce with the hopes of making an impact in my community. During college, I bought my first camera and grew to love telling local stories, stories of people around me that were worth taking a second to capture and tell. Over the course of 2 years, that hobby became a side hustle as I started second-shooting weddings on the weekends and worked full-time in the medical field, trying to find my footing with community outreach.

When COVID came, I quickly realized my place to make an impact wasn't in that field. I needed to shift my focus to the good still happening all around us, so I left a secure and good-paying job to tap into my passion for photography with more intentionality. Looking back at it, it was such a wild decision to risk it all and sell my car to buy my first professional camera for a business idea I wasn't guaranteed would work- but I'm glad I did it.

Having started my business then now enables me to be a mom who can create her schedule and provide a roof for my little family while doing something that motivates me and excites me. My driving force is definitely my family and the clients I serve.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I have a few accomplishments that continuously fuel my desire to continue growing. Having a shot in places like Hawaii and traveling all throughout the state to capture love stories still feels unreal at times. The biggest accomplishment, though-and, by far, is having a business in the first place.

As a brown woman and daughter of immigrants, my vision of the American Dream never included calling the shots myself in a business that was mine, but rather going to school, getting a decent job, clocking in and out, and being content with that. Being able to create something from the ground up and put my own heart and mission behind it feels not only authentic but also honoring my parents for all their sacrifices and support.

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

There are several challenges to being a business owner. Personally, I think the hardest one is finding the balance between personal and professional time. As a one-person small business, one has to be everything at once. That means marketing, social relations, bookkeeping, customer service, IT, etc., all fall on you. Then add to that the layers of having a personal life, such as relationships to maintain, getting a proper amount of rest, and not feeling guilty when you are enjoying a day off. But with time and practice balancing those two, as well as setting clearer work and life boundaries, become easier to draw.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

1. When inspiration strikes, ride that wave. Write it down, share it with people who are in your corner, and take the first step to envision yourself in that position you dream of before fear fools you into thinking you can't do it.
2. Surround yourself with people who want to see you thrive and help you dream. Community is so important to spread the word, purchase your product,& support you when you need a lift.
3. For any moms and women entrepreneurs: You're enough. You can do it. Believe in yourself, even if nobody else does, and when you need to take a break, know that's more than okay, too!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.karenvargasphotography.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KarenVargasPhotography
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenvargasphotography/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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