What if we’re not “Barbie perfect”?

What if we’re not “Barbie perfect”?

Each year, as part of the magazine I create for the Embrace Your Beauty Project for Fierce and Fabulous Women Over 40, I write a Letter from the Photographer. Looking back at the year, it seemed fitting that the topic of the letter would be Barbie. This is the letter:...

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On dreading walking the dog

On dreading walking the dog

I had been looking forward to going to the park with my husband and son and for a personal walk. Just as we were leaving, my husband suggested that we also take one of the dogs.I instantly felt a shift in my mood.My excitedness turned to DREAD. I cherish my personal...

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Chunky thighs

Chunky thighs

The other day, I had to run to the store to grab a few supplies. As I got out of the car, I realized that the shorts I was wearing had ridden up in the middle, and I walked a few feet as I pulled the shorts back down. As I've gained weight over the past year, I've...

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Power to Change Story

Power to Change Story

The Power to Change the World by First Changing Ourselves In the not too distant past, things that people would have said about me are that I was… Cold Standoffish Abrasive Perfect* (that sounds like a good descriptor, but we’ll talk more about that in a minute) Fast...

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You Don’t Need a Headshot. Wait…what??

You Don’t Need a Headshot. Wait…what??

Two seconds. That’s how long a typical user will spend on your website or social media platform - unless something captures their interest. You have two seconds to make a connection. You have two seconds to tell a compelling story. What’s one thing that will hold...

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The Words We Say to Ourselves Have Power

The Words We Say to Ourselves Have Power

Today I want to talk to you about a topic that’s very near and dear to my heart. As a portrait photographer, I specialize in photographing women and we, women are so incredibly hard on ourselves. We say lots of negative things to ourselves. And being a portrait photographer who specializes in photographing women is not always the easiest thing. Over the past couple of weeks, this topic has popped

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Sharing our Stories

Sharing our Stories

My name is Karianne Munstedt and I am a portrait photographer for women. I am starting a new series where I'm sharing my stories. It all stemmed from this quote by Iyanla Vanzant: “It's important that we share our experiences with other people. Your story will heal...

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WHEN I REALIZED THAT I CAN DO ANYTHING

WHEN I REALIZED THAT I CAN DO ANYTHING

ON MOTHERHOOD and BUSINESSI haven't shared my birth story with many people. Those who I am friends with on social media saw pictures of me going into the hospital, but days later, there were no birth announcements. I received lots of texts asking if everything was OK....

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HOW I MANIFESTED A CAR…and MORE

HOW I MANIFESTED A CAR…and MORE

As of yesterday, I am the proud owner of a new-to-me Volvo wagon that will be the perfect family vehicle once baby arrives. And the absolute most exciting part about getting the car is…I manifested it. Sounds weird right? It still does to me a little too. But get...

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THOUGHTS BECOME WORDS BECOME ACTION

THOUGHTS BECOME WORDS BECOME ACTION

Yesterday was World YWCA Day, and I attended a luncheon hosted by our local YWCA. Keynote speaker Patricia Russo from the Yale Women’s Campaign School was there to encourage women to run for political office and one statement that she made really resonated with me. It...

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EXISTING IN PHOTOS WITH MY MOTHER

EXISTING IN PHOTOS WITH MY MOTHER

AS A PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHER, I AM CONSTANTLY STRESSING THE IMPORTANCE OF EXISTING IN PHOTOS; ESPECIALLY OF EXISTING IN PHOTOS WITH YOUR MOTHER.  YET, WHEN I STARTED THINKING ABOUT PICTURES THAT MY MOM AND I EXISTED IN, I COULD THINK OF VERY FEW. SO I WENT THROUGH ALL...

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EMPOWERING MOTHERS

EMPOWERING MOTHERS

WE MOMS WEAR LOTS OF HATS. IT’S HARD TO TAKE TIME FOR OURSELVES. WE FEEL GUILTY FOR TAKING TIME AWAY FROM OUR FAMILIES OR FOR SPENDING MONEY ON OURSELVES RATHER THAN OUR CHILDREN. BUT WE FORGET THAT WHEN WE INVEST IN OURSELVES, WE ARE DOING SOMETHING FOR OUR...

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REBA IS GETTING MARRIED!

REBA IS GETTING MARRIED!

Reba and her fiancé Steve are getting married this weekend, and I have the honor of photographing their wedding. She is a true inspiration, and they have a beautiful love story together, so I wanted to share their story just ahead of their very special day. Reba was...

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APRIL’S TRANSFORMATION – INSIDE AND OUT

APRIL’S TRANSFORMATION – INSIDE AND OUT

Having your portrait taken is about celebrating your femininity and womanhood. It’s about reconnecting with a part of yourself that you haven’t seen in a long time, or in April’s case, merging how you feel on the inside with what you see on the outside. April reached...

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FEELINGS ABOUT MY OWN PORTRAIT SESSION

FEELINGS ABOUT MY OWN PORTRAIT SESSION

In November, I had my own portraits taken by a group of extraordinary portrait photographers, including the top modern glamour photographer in the world, Sue Bryce. Although I am at my heaviest weight ever, when presented with the opportunity to have my portraits...

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