Hi, I’m Karen Pena, and I’ve always been that friend — the one with the camera in hand, ready to capture the moment. Whether it was my Harajuku Lovers perfume collection lined up for my lens or taking color-isolated pics of my friends and family for my extensive Facebook albums, I took pride in being the historian of my crew. And, as a proud Colombian-American, raised between two cultures, two countries, and endless summers spent with family by the beach, I loved bringing those memories home with me in the form of photos. My love for connection, community, and storytelling runs deep. It’s who I am. I didn’t know it back then, but those snapshots were planting the seeds for my future career.
My path to claiming the title of “photographer” wasn’t a straight line. There were seasons when my camera collected dust as I battled depression and toxic work environments that threatened to extinguish my creative spark. After a situationship that had me driving way too many miles on the Jersey Turnpike and later a nasty separation from a job where I was set up to fail, I returned to my creative roots: writing and photography. I made the decision to bet on myself. Everything changed as I felt my creative mind begin to churn. I was finally myself again.
I realized these are — and always have been my anchors. They’ve helped me heal and reconnect with who I truly am. And through them, I’ve learned that photography is about so much more than just taking pictures. It’s about connection. It’s about creating space for people to feel comfortable, empowered, and truly seen. Which is exactly what I do with my business now.
I’m not here for stiff poses or forced smiles. I live for the in-between moments: the laughter that bursts out unexpectedly, the soft glances, the candid snapshots of who you really are. My sensitivity — something I once thought of as a weakness — has become my superpower. It helps me hold space for my clients, allowing them to show up as their full selves. And when they do? That’s when the magic happens.
After more than a decade of documenting life, I finally decided to make this my business, with Captured by Karen. I walked into my first photography meetup with nothing but a borrowed camera and my heart beating out of my chest. I left knowing I was exactly where I was meant to be. Since then, I’ve continued to step into creative spaces, collaborate with models, and tell stories through my lens.
I bring all of that — my experience, my empathy, my passion—to every session.
When you work with me, we collaborate. I don’t just show up and snap photos — I take the time to get to know you. Together, we create a shared mood board, pulling together inspiration and vision so that when you step in front of my lens, it feels like you. Whether you want to celebrate a new chapter, document your family, or simply capture a moment in time, I’m here to help you feel empowered, confident, and seen.
Because this isn’t just about photos. It’s about memories that last. It’s about celebrating you.
