Connect
To Top

Meet Kary Ann Hoopes of Hoopes Photography in Queen Creek

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kary Ann Hoopes.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Kary. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I have always been creative. I always worked with my hands and always a document er. When my first child was born I realized I needed to document his life. My husband gave me a Nikon point and shoot and the rest is history. I realized I loved the focus behind the lens and the see from that angle. I loved the disconnect and hyper focus of the the world it gave me. I was hooked and I realized I loved the technicality of it. It keeps my mind going, and relax at the same time. It makes me feel energized and relaxed all at the same time.  It took me 7 years to get the courage to do it for other people, for money. I travel internationally to photograph weddings and Latter Day Saint Temples. I love to document the memories of people’s lives so that a snapshot of their life is frozen in time.

Has it been a smooth road?
It hasn’t always been the easiest road. I am my own worse critic. From day 1 I learned that I can never stop learning and I will never stop learning. I am never too good to stop learning. we are never good enough to stop learning. You will always have mistakes and you will always have learning curves. You master your craft by constantly learning. When I went through cancer, I wasn’t able to work and it messed up my groove. I missed it. i felt depressed and I felt that something was disconnected to me. My Camera is an extension of my arm and my arm  felt a little too light. I learned how much being behind the lens puts my head in a good space. I also learned that its okay…. to not be okay. Mental health and balance is a huge part of who I am.  I have learned not to depend on others and that I must seek learning. Mentoring others has been a huge help because we learn most when we forget about us. Helping others has helped me find, love, and keep the passion behind the lens alive.

Tell us more about the business.
I am the owner/ photographer. My company has been a family affair helping me at different times. My husband, David, is my biggest cheerleader, who is a much better business person than me and great with clients. He does a great job keeping me company and occasionally does some drone work for clients. He does the sky, I do the ground. So much goes into making a business successful and you’re only as good as your support system.

I specialize in documentary photography. Capturing the emotions of humans. I love to shoot portraits, families,weddings but not limited to that. I also love Landscape, Real Estate and Architecture. My passion is in bereavement. Those families who have lost someone young or old is something I enjoy doing for families. Memories they can’t get back. I am most grateful for my work that inspires. The images that an emotion that connects them to the memory. I love it when my clients become my friends. Those that love my work, support me and desire to develop relationships with me have turned into so many collaborations to document their families for all occasions. One client, I shot a wedding, then ended up shooting a birth, two more weddings, a family session and a funeral for their extended family. That is the best case scenario for me. To be one they trust to be with their family at the best and worst of times. It’s an honor. I photograph what inspires me. I am thankful for everyone who inspires me and hires me

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
We have seen trends come and go. Lately, we have seen a trend for a moody filter, an orange, dark lake of life (in my opinion). Life seems to be sucked out of the photos without color. I am a classic style photographer and I have never conformed to follow trends. I believe that will shift back to people wanted color back in their photos. It is about classic and real for people to remember their lives. I believe that there has become a trend for new photographers every day. Costco has helped that.  They have a great price on cameras and everyone thinks they are a photographer. Cell phone cameras are amazing and so everyone can get great photos.  Documenting should be everyone’s desire.  Our life is our legacy, and it needs to be shared. Being technical is important to me. I work hard to have relationships and love my competition.  I believe Connection and community is more important than competition. Clients will catch on when they realize hiring a true professional is important. Someone who is technical. Someone who cares about the craft, not the trend. I think that change is already happening. Mobile phones take great pictures, but they don’t give the quality to print out so people can remember on a wall.

I am so excited to continue on this journey and keep on keeping on.

Contact Info:


Image Credit:
credits to ©Kary Ann Hoopes Photography

Suggest a story: VoyagePhoenix 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.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More in