Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Horton
Hi Karen, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My interest in photography began after realizing my mom’s hidden photography talent. She entered a picture of my brother into a contest, and I did not learn until I was about 10 years old that she won! Once I showed interest in cameras, my parents bought me my first Le Clic camera, and ever since 1986, I have enjoyed taking pictures. I never thought I was any good behind the camera, occasionally snapping a great photograph, and my interest was piqued when I co-designed and co-taught a Digital Media course to 8th graders with my buddy, Trent McLees. I started seeing photography and taking pictures differently which opened up my creativity and allowed me to explore more with a camera. Thankfully we are in the digital age and do not have to be as particular about a subject as when I used film. In 2022 while traveling to Valladolid, Mexico, my long-time best friend, Jenna, a photographer, paid me a compliment that made me believe I could take pictures for fun and earn money! It took me the last couple of years to convince myself to start my new business, Kind Lens Photo, and it is a perfect side hustle to complement my full-time job as an educator. Today, I am just a few months into this business and have received many compliments on my work, and slowly but surely my business is growing. I consider it an honor when someone posts my work and shares how much they enjoyed working with me and the final results. Equally as wonderful is seeing my work framed in a colleague’s office. I am still scared out of my mind, but I am walking confidently in the direction of my dreams.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road has been full of twists, turns, flat tires, and bumps, but we persevere! I have worked multiple jobs for the past 17 years, and in my search for the best fit, I have tried on many hats such as sign language interpreter, swim coach, and health coach. When the seed was planted that I could become a photographer, my soul was set on fire and look forward to every aspect of building this business-even the frustrating parts! I enjoy creating, learning, sharing, and engaging in anything related to photography. I have plenty to learn, but I am braced for this journey and moving head-on into it all!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My professional life, my career, has been in education. I have been able to experience a lot of different roles over the past 24 years. I have been a Deaf Educator, English Teacher, Reading Intervention Teacher, Instructional Coach, Behavior Interventionist, and Instructor of Reading and College Success. I am grateful for all the diversity in my roles and schools in which I have had the privilege to be of service.
I specialize in reading and behavior and enjoy helping others improve their practice to be the best version of themselves for every child in their classroom.
I am most proud of a few things during my tenure as an educator. First, I am proud of myself for advocating for several of the Deaf and hard-of-hearing students in the first county in which I worked. I recognized that most of these precious students needed intensive language development to get on track to read, write, and perform on grade level. I proposed a language-intensive class to Aiken, County South Carolina’s School Board; It was granted! I ran that program until I moved back to Tennessee.
During my tenure with Knox County schools, I was voted Teacher of the Year my first and only year at Whittle Springs Middle. I also received the honor my last year at Vine Middle, and again twice at Cedar Bluff Middle School. To know that my colleagues value what I brought to the school to cast their vote for me is truly humbling.
What sets me apart from others is my infectious kindness and how I build relationships with others. I am an educator who likes to explore the newest and best ways to reach the students in my care. They each deserve an educator who will show up and give their best. I refuse to become the teacher who becomes stagnant and reluctant to try new practices.
What are your plans for the future?
I hope to retire from public education in seven years but continue working at a local community college teaching Reading and College Success. In addition, I hope that Kind Lens Photo will continue to grow and keep me busy, providing me the opportunities to capture the essence of each client, while creating a safe, empowering, and comfortable space for self-expression. I plan to travel with my husband and dogs and explore this great wide world 🙂 I have one other plan, but I am not sharing that yet. Just know I have to find my bravery before I can take the leap–it has to do with photography.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: kindlensphoto
