When I first met Kara Rosenlund in 2012, she was gaining notoriety as a stylist. She had purchased and renovated a gorgeous vintage caravan (called Frankie), and had started her Travelling Wares – a vintage pop-up market stall, which she took all over the country.
Though Kara had originally studied photography, and even worked in the industry for many years prior, a bad break up in her mid-20s left her reassessing her direction. When we first crossed paths, she had left photography behind, instead focussing on styling, interiors and selling vintage collectables.
It was only when she landed her first book deal, that Kara rediscovered photography. Shelter took her across Australia on countless solo road trips, shooting uniquely Australian interiors in country towns and remote locations. This project rekindled her love for the camera, and made way for a reinvention, of sorts.
Today, though Kara’s primary focus is her editorial photography, she also sells her photographic prints online, and has developed an impressive lifestyle brand, with a unique range of homewares, accessories and apparel to complement her distinctive aesthetic.
I’m so impressed by Kara’s incredible drive, resilience, and independence, both as a photographer and as a businesswoman. In a fickle and competitive industry, she’s been so clever to create a new business model, that supports her photography and provides room for growth. Here, she gives us a unique insight into it all…
Notes + Links
Visit Kara Rosenlund’s website and online store.
You can also follow her adventures on Instagram @kararosenlund
Kara recently did a shoot for Australian Traveller Magazine, featuring swimmers in their 90s!
She photographed Australian pioneering underwater photographers and shark experts Valerie Taylor and Hayley Baillie Shelly for the must-read Good Weekend story The Two of Us.
View Kara’s book Shelter here.
This podcast was recorded on a quick getaway to Kara’s holiday shack on Stradbroke Island – this place is incredible, I’ve already booked to go back!
One of Kara’s favourite destinations is Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia
And her go-to podcast is Jen Gotch is OK…Sometimes
Kara also took some beautiful photographs for our story on Kangaroo Island’s Southern Ocean Lodge.
