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Meet Kara Mercer
Say Hi to Kara Mercer!
Kara is a commercial and editorial photographer and art director based in Seattle, Washington. She specializes in developing content for fashion, travel, and lifestyle brands.
Known for her use of light and her eye for creative direction, Kara believes every image should stand strongly on its own while also contributing a unique yet complementary voice when serving as part of a collection. Her work is influenced as much by minimalism and thought-provoking conversations as it is by contemporary studies in human psychology and the emotive, sometimes ethereal feel of romanticism. With these influences, she seamlessly combines playful narratives with a timeless aesthetic for commercial media campaigns (print and digital) and editorial work.
Today, her work has been featured in several magazines, Huffpost, Buzzfeed, FujiFilm, and more.
We asked Kara a few questions, about her gear and how photography connects to her holiday memories.
About the Gear!
Glazer’s: What’s in your gear bag?
Kara: I use the Fujifilm line up including the following cameras & lenses.
Fujifilm Cameras:
Fujifilm X-T2
Fujifilm X-Pro2
Fujifilm X100F
Fujifilm Lenses:
Fujifilm 23mm f/1.4
Medium Format
Fujifilm GFX 50s
For accessories I have three Ona bags that I love for traveling and commercial shoots. I condense gear and take what I need based off of the job I am working on.
Reminiscing on the Holidays…
Glazer’s: Could you share your favorite holiday memory or memories that resonate with you.
Kara: Growing up in Texas, the holidays were a big celebration with family! My family loved decorating the tree, making delicious Christmas treats together, as well as attending a Christmas Eve service every year. Looking back on those childhood images, I remember every moment!
My favorite Christmas memories were the years we spent in the snowy mountains of Colorado. We would rent a cabin, make holiday meals together, roast marshmallows for s’mores, go on outdoor adventures, and build snowmen on Christmas day. Those cozy days spent with family just laughing and playing board games in our cabin are some of my fondest childhood memories!
I used to carry disposable cameras as a kid, just snapping away at life around me and loved ones. Looking back, I wish I had the gear I have now to remember all those Christmas details.
Glazer’s: Do you have any special holiday traditions?
Kara: I have to say that the holidays have been my favorite as I got married. It has been so fun to start my own traditions and build upon that with my husband. This year will be our second Christmas married! Our favorite traditions we have created thus far are: Cutting down our own tree, decorating it while our pup tries to eat all the wooden ornaments, making hot cider, and trying our hand at baking holiday treats!
We also have a day where we just cozy in our PJ’s and watch all the Christmas movies!
Glazer’s: What piece of advice would you offer a photographer making their start in today’s industry?
Kara: Don’t let the world stop you from believing you can make any outlandish dream happen. There is a childhood imagination that gets lost along the way to building a thriving photography business and that inner voice sometimes tells us we can’t achieve something. I stopped listening to this and my journey has been so much more meaningful and way beyond anything I ever imagined. So push yourself, but don’t forget to celebrate your wins!
Glazer’s: Can you recommend any great gift ideas for this holiday season?
Kara: I love the camera bags by Ona
For cameras check out the Fujifilm X-T2 or X-Pro2.
And for fun, instant holiday memories, I love the Fujifilm SQ10, SP-3 Printer or the Instax Wide.
For more about Kara Mercer, Check out her work here: Kara Mercer and follow her on Instagram here: @_KaraMercer.
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