Conversations with the Inspiring Karissa Hunsaker

Today we’d like to introduce you to Karissa Hunsaker.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Photography has run in my family for three generations, so I have been around it and loved it for as long as I can remember. It seemed like paying attention to detail, composition, pretty lighting, etc. came pretty naturally to me. However, I always saw photography as just a hobby and I never even considered that it could be a career. I actually went to school to become an elementary school teacher!

When I got married to my Marine Corps hubby and moved across the country, I had some downtime as I was looking at job options. Something kept nudging me to explore photography further, so this is when I decided to buy a camera, and then ended up spending hours upon hours learning everything I could and practicing a lot. I thought it would be a fun side hustle! Pretty soon, more and more people were requesting my services (and my husband said “Wow. You are actually really good” 😉 ), So I started my own business and it took off! When I shot my first wedding, I had the time of my life and realized this is what I wanted to do. It was so unexpected but has been the biggest blessing. I love my job so much!

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
There have definitely been struggles along the way, especially as a military wife business owner, uprooting to new places and reaching new markets. Building a business from the ground up is not an easy task in general – it takes a lot of time and determination, but it is extremely rewarding!

My advice to anyone starting their journey would be: Just do it! You might feel like you are not ready, but it does not have to be perfect. You WILL grow, but you have to first start. Put yourself out there, be confident in yourself – know that you have everything in you to be successful. I would also encourage you to set your priorities and value your time. It is so easy to get caught up in working long hours, but “hustling” does not necessarily equate to success. Find a deeper purpose and meaning for your work, and never forget what that is!

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into Karissa Layne Photography story. Tell us more about the business.
I own a wedding photography business. I primarily photograph weddings and couples, but just love to capture love and joy! I am best known for helping my clients feel comfortable in front of my camera, capturing their personalities and pulling out natural emotion. When I am shooting, I am just a third – wheel on a date having fun! Everything about my photography style is authentic and natural – I describe it as true to life, true to color, and true to emotion. I celebrate my clients’ beauty and the beauty that surrounds us, and never want my work to become outdated. I want my couples to live in those moments that only happen once, and there are things I do throughout their wedding experience to ensure that. This business is so much more to me than just delivering photos. Also, it is super important to me that my couples have no stress and remember what the day is all about!

For good reason, society often focuses more on the problems rather than the opportunities that exist, because the problems need to be solved. However, we’d probably also benefit from looking for and recognizing the opportunities that women are better positioned to capitalize on. Have you discovered such opportunities?
I truly believe that any determined woman wanting to start her own business is capable, and the only limiting factor is herself. There are so many opportunities and resources to be successful. Each and every woman, with her unique strengths and talents, has so much to bring to the table!

Contact Info:

• Website: Karissalaynephoto.com
• Email: karissalayne.photo@gmail.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/karissalaynephoto
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karissalaynephoto/

Image Credit:
All images are my work – Karissa Layne Photography

Suggest a story: VoyageDenver is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.