Karen finds her passion in life, building confidence and independence along the way!

When you talk to Karen about photography, her eyes light up. There's an unmistakable joy in her voice, an excitement that comes from doing something she loves. For Karen, photography isn’t just a hobby, it’s a passion, a creative outlet, and, with the right supports, a path to building confidence and independence.

Karen first picked up a camera when she was just 18 years old. Now 54, she speaks with decades of experience. “It’s the surprise of what you get in the image,” she says with a smile. “You take a photo of a flower, and then later you see there’s a bee in it. That’s the magic of it, the details you didn’t even know you captured.”

Unlike snapping a quick shot with a phone, Karen prefers using a “real camera,” as she puts it. “It captures so much more. The true feel of what you’re taking.” It’s this depth, this ability to see the world differently, that keeps her coming back.

Photography has become more than just a pastime; it’s a space where Karen is constantly challenging herself. Each month, she enters the competition, submitting her work across a range of categories like expressive digital imagery (EDI), large prints, creative, and black-and-white. Each category has its own set of rules and judging criteria, and Karen relishes the opportunity to learn and improve.

Her goal? To move up from B grade to A grade, a promotion based on points accrued from her competition submissions across the year. Each placing earns a certain number of points, and gets Karen closer to A grade, and she’s determined to get there.

Karen’s proudest moment so far came when she received a special trophy recognising her continuous improvement. “I wasn’t expecting it,” she recalls. “It was a real shock.” But it was also a validation of the effort she’s put in, and a reflection of how far she’s come.

Support from the NDIS has played a crucial role in Karen’s photography journey. With the assistance of her support workers, particularly Jenna, she’s been able to attend more photography sessions and judging presentations, opportunities she might have missed otherwise. Jenna often accompanies Karen to these events, taking detailed notes on the judges’ feedback. Later, Karen reviews the notes to see where she can improve, helping her grow as an artist and competitor.

“NDIS has helped me a lot,” Karen says. “I can go out further to take photos, knowing someone is there with me. It makes a big difference.”

But the impact of NDIS support reaches beyond photography. At home, Karen’s support workers have helped her build confidence and independence in her daily life. From helping with meal preparation to supporting her in the community, their assistance empowers Karen to live life on her terms. She often cooks meals for her parents and contributes around the house, a source of pride knowing she can lend a helping hand.

Photography isn’t her only creative outlet. Karen also makes candles, with help from another support worker, Bec. The plan is to take her handmade candles to the local Summerville Market, every second Saturday of the month. Karen, who used to enjoy making cards, has found a new way to express herself through candle making. Her candle business, candles _with_care17, is even on Instagram, where she shares her creations. Be sure to give her a follow!

When asked what advice she’d give to someone looking to get into photography, Karen doesn’t hesitate. “A good camera is key. My favourite is Canon. And play with your ISO, see what it can do. Play with it and then see what you can do on the computer after.”

Karen’s story is one of creativity and growth. With the right support around her, she’s not only pursuing her passion, but she’s also loving the freedom to choose a path of independence!