Meet Kara
Kara Riedas — Freelance Photographer
Behind the Lens.
A Retired Architect's Eye for Light and Lifestyle.
Hi, I’m Kara Riedas — retired architect, artistic photographer, storyteller, technical guru, desert wanderer, devoted wife, loving partner, love-you-forever mom, rockin' grandma, and forever cat mama — genuinely happy, grounded, and grateful in this chapter of life, creating what I love, living it fully, and guided by a positive outlook that colors everything I do.
Before photography became my full-time passion, I spent decades as a residential architect. Home design taught me to see the world in shapes, light, and balance — and to value precision and attention to detail — lessons that naturally carried over into the way I create images today.
Now retired from architecture, I photograph simply because I love it. Retirement gave me the gift of time — time to slow down, enjoy the craft, and share images that mean something.
My photography isn’t about hustling for business contracts, filling a busy schedule, financial pressures, or dreadful deadlines. Plain and simple — it’s about connections and creating art.
Whether I’m creating portraits filled with emotion, chasing a serene Arizona sunrise, framing the gleam of a classic car, or capturing a quiet street moment, I want every image to carry a piece of my soul.
When I’m not behind the camera, I’m enjoying life’s simple things — drives with Lara, my Toyota Solara convertible; quiet moments with Gracie, my cat and constant companion; and time with my husband, family, and friends whose love and support are my steady light.
Photography has carried me through every stage of life. In retirement, it isn’t just my craft — it’s my celebration.