S1E8: Karina Mora elevates her community and her culture using skills learned as a wedding photographer

Karina Mora  00:08  And the burnout came because I was presenting myself. In this duality, I was assimilating into this persona that made the clients that I wanted to attract comfortable, comfortable enough to appropriate my own culture to my face. But at home, I was trying to be who I was and raise my kids to be proud of who they were. And so it was a disconnect that really led to burnout.

Mónika  00:45  Welcome to Our Latina Lens Podcast where we elevate the work and stories of accomplished Latina and Latine photographers in the U.S. I’m your host Mónika, and this podcast is part of our wider Our Latina Lens community. Karina Mora is a Chicago-based photographer who built a wedding photography business, and through a significant moment in her career realized she needed to rethink her career path and so much more. I won’t spoil her transformative journey for you. But I will say that what she is building is a beautiful and powerful vision that is rooted in deep introspection and transformation. What has resulted is powerful, and is already making a difference in the lives of creatives around her. Photography is at the heart of her journey, her healing, and continues to define how she moves forward, taking others with her.

rtists and links Karina references are linked in the show notes in your podcast player, and on our website at ourlatinalens.com where you can also find a transcript for this episode and sign up for our newsletter.

Mónika  01:59  Bienvenida Karina, I am so excited to have you here. It is a pleasure to have you on the podcast. Welcome.

Karina Mora  02:09  Yes, thank you. I am so excited. I’ve been like part of your community for a while. And so to see what it’s grown into is so exciting. So I’m so excited to be here on the podcast.

Mónika  02:24  Thank you. It’s a slow growth, but the vision is grand. I keep saying what you know, we’ll get there, we’ll get there. You have been an incredible community and cultural advocate. And we’re totally gonna get into that. But I would love for you to start with, what was your journey into photography? What got you to pick up a camera? What was that like? And how did you decide to make it into a career?

Karina Mora  02:47  Well, we are going to be going back 15 plus years. I look we’re getting into the college years. So I went to a liberal arts college and kind of was able to dabble in a lot of different things, including music and graphic design, and radio broadcasting and all that encompasses like the creative arts. And part of that was video production. And so my I was kind of like starting to get trained through video production. It wasn’t until I took a film photography class that I picked up a camera and it was a film camera. And so it was so exciting for me to really combine tech and working with your hands. When I took that class, it was like photo 101. The whole process was exciting to me. But I didn’t really know how to take a photograph. It was really rough like I was getting like C’s and B’s in that class. I really just started to build that skill. And it wasn’t until I met my boyfriend, husband now, that he bought me a digital camera and let me kind of explore with the the freedom of digital photography whereas like I didn’t have to worry about like ruining a whole roll of film or getting to the dark room and seeing that all my images didn’t come out or they were overexposed. And so it was really when I picked up a digital camera and started experimenting and just freely taking photos at that I started to refine my eye and my skill for photography.

Mónika  04:45  Did you continue on and video or was it that point that you started transitioning to photo?

Karina Mora  04:51  So in college I focused mostly on video and video production and my job or what I  enjoyed doing was the editing. And so I enjoyed editing video, but it was so frustrating to me because if I did not get the, the clips or the things that I needed, then the editing was really hard. And I really had to like work at putting things together. So little by little photography became a little bit more attainable, or kind of easier for me to kind of let loose and get creative because I was taking the image, and I was editing. And so because I had control over both, I really got to experiment. And because photography is still images, I, it was easier for me to refine that skill. And so after college, I let go of video, and really dove into photography, it was because my husband, boyfriend at the time, had already created or was already building a photography business, I kind of just slipped into that. And so I would go with him on photo shoots and just learn and take in the hands on teaching that he was providing without even knowing it. I was holding lightstands, I was being the second photographer with different angles. And the first time we photographed a wedding together, I was like I can see this whole story because I have a different perspective and you’re getting the images that are like the standard, but I’m bringing this creative twist. And that was way before Pinterest even when things and like before Instagram, when things were were just starting to be like trendy to be taking pictures of accessories, and like different angles. And so it was around the 2008, 2009, 2010 timeframe that I really just stepped into wedding photography. And that’s how I started to build the business that I had,

Mónika  04:52  Did your training and video influence how you approached photography?

Karina Mora  06:42  For sure. With video, it’s all movement, and you’re capturing the story. And that definitely translates to photography. So because I had that training in video, I was able to anticipate people’s movements. And so with wedding photography, I’m taking photos of people, and learning how to anticipate and help them tell their own story, because being in front of a camera can be unnerving. And being in front of a camera showing PDA can be even more unnerving. And when it’s your wedding day, you have so many emotions, so many people around you. And everyone is looking at the wedding party. And so being able to anticipate emotions, anticipate poses, or the way people stand and kind of direct them in a way that makes them feel comfortable enough to then be able to tell that comfort through the lens is a big skill that I think I attribute to my video production days where I was having to tell a story and didn’t have the luxury of just cutting out a specific image. I attribute it a lot to the skills that I learned as a visual storyteller in video production.

Mónika  08:56  Yeah, I could see how that skill would really transfer over storytelling and photography is one of those skills that is very hard to learn, or some people really struggle with. So being able to have that training and that thought process already, I bet was really helpful. And it sounds like your first mentor in photography was your now husband. Have you had other mentors or how in those initial years did you develop your craft as a wedding photographer?

Karina Mora  09:22  So I think the way that I learned was really thanks to my husband, because I was able to get the feedback, right then in there. So I would take an image and I would show him and he’d be like, well, you should leave a little bit more room or, like this is the image that I’m getting. Why don’t you come around and do something this way. And so it was really like in real time. I really think that if you have an internship if you’re in a creative field getting that real time hands on feedback is huge. As opposed if you’re in class, and you’re waiting, and you have to wait a week after you turn in the assignment, and then then okay, then the next time you go out, let me see if I can remember what they said. So it was really that hands on real time, feedback that helped me and him build our business together. So quickly, as I went on in to building a wedding photography business, I did have other mentors that were specific to that industry, it was really good to kind of hone in on that specific type of artistry. Wedding Photography is a huge, like industry, in itself, events, weddings, even quinceañeras, there is so much that goes into an event. And you have to be like 100%, that whole day, as I was trying to feel like how I wanted to build this experience for my clients. I purposely sought out mentors that were going to help in that specific industry. So I did have people that I went to get training from workshops. And I think every time that I’ve intentionally sought a mentor or a teacher, I think in the photography business, I was specifically looking for teachers as opposed to mentors. And I don’t know if I’ve ever found a mentor in the wedding photography business. But I think that’s a whole different topic that we can get into a little later.

Mónika  11:51  I’m curious, what do you see as the difference between a teacher and a mentor?

Karina Mora  11:55  A teacher, I think I am going and taking their workshop, I’m taking their course I might do like a weekend study with them, where they are teaching a curriculum, and I’m with a bunch of people. And then that’s it. A mentor, I think really takes time to know who you are, as a person really understands maybe your lived experiences. And I can tell you like why you’re having a mental block in a specific area, whether it’s like pricing or branding, and really helps you move forward as a business owner or a creative. And so I think because the wedding industry as a whole, at least in Chicago, and at least we’re talking 2010, 2011, early, early in my career, I didn’t see anyone that I could relate to as a Latina. And so for that reason, I say I didn’t find a mentor. But I did seek out teachers. And I think that if I would have found a teacher that I that I felt that could offer me that mentorship relationship I would have definitely asked. But I think as as I learned, the industry that I was trying to get into, didn’t have a lot of people that look like me, not Latina, not a lot of people of color in general.

Mónika  13:33  And are you still in the wedding industry? What’s been your trajectory, since those early days working with your husband in the in the industry? And what are you doing now?

Karina Mora  13:44  That is a huge question. And so bear with me, because it is a whole story. In about I think it was 2016, 2017. I had built my wedding photography business for six plus years at that point, and was finally feeling that I was successful. We were making a profit we were booked out for the year. We were like really pouring into the wedding industry community here in Chicago. And it was also when the political climate in the US started to kind of shift and there was one wedding in particular that I remember so clearly, it was a wedding that was on Cinco de Mayo and the wedding was just appropriated. And I as a professional had to smile, take pictures and just let it happen. And after that wedding, I I was like, What am I doing? Like, how did I get to this place that a client can hire me and think that it’s okay to do this, am I not like giving those, I don’t know what. When did I let it be okay to do this, and what was I feeling because that wedding was triggering, but at the time, I didn’t know how to process it. Because at the time when I thought this was like an ideal client, and they were, they just at the reception decided to appropriate Cinco de Mayo and the Mexican culture. And it was very disrespectful. And so after that wedding, I talked to my husband and I was like, I don’t know if I can continue this, I realized that I was so burned out. And the burnout came because I was presenting myself in this duality, I was assimilating into this persona, that made the clients that I wanted to attract comfortable, comfortable enough to appropriate my own culture to my face. But at home, I was trying to be who I was, and raise my kids to be proud of who they were. And so it was a disconnect that really led to burnout. And so it was after that, that year, I finished my weddings. And I was like, I need to rethink if this is how I want to continue building my business.

Karina Mora  16:32  And so I went to Mexico, I went by myself, I took a photography workshop in Mexico, it was like a photo 101. And the instructors were like, I don’t know why you’re here, because you know how to take pictures. And I was like, I know, I just need to like, reset, I need to ground myself, I need to take pictures of something that is not people. Like I just need to get back to the love of photography that, like started when I was in college. And I had, I had lost that without even knowing I was just so focused on getting to the next level getting to the next, like booking, I was more excited about the business building than I was about photography. And I didn’t realize that I had gotten to that place until this triggering wedding. It was after that, that trip to Mexico that I was like, I wish people would understand the Mexican culture, the way that I do the way that is in my heart and my roots. And in order for me to be able to show that I need to do some relearning and reconstructing in my own identity. And so since then, I have slowly been pivoting my business and doing more devoting more of my photography to telling the story of Mexican cities, of Mexico, of my history, of just showing Mexico as beautiful and as vibrant as I know it to be, and hoping to teach other people that and getting rid of the stereotypes and misconceptions that that a lot of people and my clients had of the Mexican culture.

Mónika  18:35  So it sounds like you’ve really use photography as a tool of personal healing, and thinking about your own identity. And in that process, I was trying to remind folks we are called Our Latina Lens, but identity is super complex, the word Latina super complex. So I just want to give space in that process where did you land or where are you now with what identities you hold?

Karina Mora  19:01  So I very much lean into my identity as a Latina. And specifically as a Mexicana Americana. I recognize that I was born here. I grew up in the suburbs, and I did have to assimilate and I had to create this dual identity from an early age. But at the same time, I was yearly traveling back to Mexico, and I knew my family. I had the experiences of visiting my cousin’s my tias, my tios every summer, we would spend time relaxing on the beach, but then also like walking the little Pueblo and getting tortas ahogadas and I have both of those identities. And so it was really more of a reconciliation of, of that, knowing that because I was raised in the US and had the experiences of hiding myself or making myself smaller, to fit into a certain box, I really had to take a look at where that came from, and kind of merge the two because I do know that I have this experience as an American, adopting the cultures of America, having the lived experience of living in a suburb in a predominantly White neighborhood, going then to a predominantly White college, and trying to get into a predominantly White industry, I have those experiences. And so it was really like how can I take what I’ve learned, and bring back in my Mexican roots, my my Mexican heart back into who I am. And I wanted to do that for the sake of my kids, I wanted them to have the same knowledge of their family in Mexico, I wanted them to be proud of the traditions and the foods that we eat, and we have on holidays and at home, the traditions that we have as Mexicanos, I really wanted them to celebrate who they were Mexican American, with out having to create the duality for themselves. And so it was really me trying to heal the part of my American identity, and elevate and uplift my Mexican roots. So that way, I could then instill that to my children. I think they’re, like you said, it’s, there’s a lot of layers. And there’s a lot of history that goes into one’s identity. And it’s an, a process that I have had the help of my therapist of other peers, and my family to, to kind of be that space for me. And it’s, it’s ongoing. I mean, I’m learning new things about myself. I’m learning new, new ways to communicate, and I’m learning new ways to then teach my children how they can show up in the worlds as authentically as they are.

Mónika  22:51  When we come back to the interview, Karina speaks to how her healing journey set her on a new path, and how she is bringing entire communities of creatives with her. Be sure to turn on notifications for this podcast. So you know, when Karina’s Image Tour episode drops. She takes us behind the scenes of three of her significant images that she has created during her explorations of cities in Mexico.

Mónika  23:21  Where was photography in this process? Has it been a tool? You know, photography, art can be so many things for us. And for me, like sometimes my pictures might ask questions, and sometimes they bring answers. And where do you think your process of photography, it sounded like you very thoughtfully went back and said, I’m going to take a one on one class, I’m going to reset and I’m going to do that in Mexico, how did you then use photography to continue this process of healing or connection or discovery?

Karina Mora  23:57  I mean, it was really the one thing that was the connector. Like I said, I went back to Mexico, I took this photography workshop where I just took pictures, it was it was street photography. And it was through that that I started asking myself questions like, Oh, what about the architecture? Why do I relate to this, even though I’m not Guadalajara, but this like I’m in Guanajato, and this is sparking some some memories for me. And as I started to see and take pictures, I would ask myself, like, Oh, I wonder what the history is. Let me go and research that. And not only that, I was taking photos on my camera, but also on my phone and bringing them back and showing my kids and saying like, Oh look, this is the I had a torta and this is this is what it is when you come next time I want you to try this or I had, this is the place that we went. And I took this photo because I thought you’d like this and look at all the colors on this photo. And so I wasn’t just taking photos for myself, I was doing it, to educate me, but then also to educate my children and bring my family along. And through that I was posting on Instagram and bringing along my followers, and they would start creating conversation with me. And so after that one initial city, I was like, I would love to do this, but in different cities, because I growing up was only going to Guadalajara to visit family, and then we go to the beach. And that that was it. I wanted to really learn more of Mexican cities and see how it was different kinda like the US like, you can go across the country and get different terrain, different views, different climates. And so I was like, I want to do that for Mexico. And I want to bring people along on the journey. So it was, like, so exciting. So healing to be in different places, and learn about the diversity in Mexico, even Mexican cuisine and Mexican terrain and the mountains. And I can talk about it all day, and take pictures of like all day. But that’s really how it started. Like, I really just wanted to capture these moments, and share it with my family, but also with other people.

Mónika  26:46  So it sounds like you’ve been doing that for a few years now. Where are you now with those photographs? What is your current process or creative process? As you’re creating images, it sounds like when it was very new, you know, it was kind of like, oh, there’s a spark? And where are you now that you’ve done it for a few years?

Karina Mora  27:06  I have currently three cities that I have collections of as fine art, photography prints, I learned how to frame my own photos, I really wanted to have the option of giving people a piece of Mexico as fine art photography, because I didn’t see that representation in fine art photography at the time. And I was like, if I want to have art in my home, I want it to be representative of who I am. I wanted to tell a story so that whenever someone comes in and sees this piece that I took in Mexico, they’re asking me like, oh, where’s that from, and then I can have a conversation and share a piece of who I am with whoever comes through the door. And so I did release collections in three cities. And then the pandemic stopped all travel. And so I had to just kind of take a take a seat and think about how I can still share what I was sharing without traveling. So I also started creating puzzles and stickers. And we even created a calendar, where my images are showcased each month, I did some like downloadables. And finally, in 2022, I took it full circle and started bringing people to Mexico with me and creating the experience that I had back in 2017 When I went to Mexico and just kind of dove into learning about Mexican history, and Mexican cooking and everything in the two years I was working on offering more products that were attainable.

Mónika  29:23  Your calendars are beautiful. I have I have gifted your calendars. They’re gorgeous. So I can speak to those. Thank you.

Karina Mora  29:30  Thank you. Yes, I I mean, I am so thankful for people who have continued to support and choose to go on guided trips with me. I think that is the thing that I was working towards. Because when I went on the trip in 2017, I was like I would love to share this experience with my friends. I would love to share this with my family. And so the only way that I could do that at the time I was through my photography. And so now I’m able to take people with me to Mexico and we can share the whole experience. And they can take their own photos. And I can take photos of them while they they are having this experience that I had back in 2017.

Mónika  30:19  And how is your creative process then change that you’re leading these groups, you’re it sounds like you’re still taking photos, I’m just imagining how fun it would be to have a whole group of photographers with you and Michael, but you’re on process of creating Are you able to hold both that you’re leading a trip and guiding people through this and also doing your own creating during that time,

Karina Mora  30:41  I do not typically create or take photos to then offer as prints while I’m guiding a group. I am very intentional about where I’m putting my energy. And so when I have people, I am pouring into them, making sure that everything is going smoothly. And so I do go to Mexico a day early. And I say a day later, just so that I could have the time to prepare mentally, and decompress afterwards. And so during that time is when I will take pictures and and take time for myself. And before I release a new city where I’m offering this guided trip, I will go and spend time in that city. And so that is when I’m taking pictures for myself and kind of just doing the learning for myself before inviting other people to come with me.

Mónika  31:42  Now I will say one of the things that I love having watched your videos or your content about your trips is that it’s not just let’s see the city, it’s let’s work with artisans. Let’s take workshops, that’s there’s just so much creative goodness, that seems to happen on those trips as well. And how do you you not only are really great creating those collaborations and may go I mean, you do that in the States as well in Chicago. But first let’s talk about how that is in Mexico. And then we’ll talk about your collaborations that you do here in the States.

Karina Mora  32:13  A lot of the people and collaborators in Mexico I’ve met through Instagram, it was during 2020 that I was really connecting with people on the internet, and taking online classes and getting to know people, a few people I did meet back in 2018 2019 have just really cultivated the relationship through the internet. And so with everyone that I partner with, I’m intentional about making sure I elevate their skill supporting them equitably, because me as an American, have the privilege that I can go to Mexico and so I’m always wanting to support them, not only with elevating who they are and their brand, but also supporting them financially, making sure that I don’t take advantage. That’s a misconception that people go to Mexico and they’re just like, oh, it’s gonna be cheaper or you can haggle or you can get a deal. I don’t take that approach I am I will pay you what you would like to be paid. And I’m not going to be trying to get a bargain. And so that is intentional. I also know that even Mexico City is there is a lot of people that are coming into Mexico City because it is cheaper, and they are not being intentional about their presence in Mexico City. So whenever I look for an Airbnb or a place to stay, I’m intentional about knowing the person that I am partnering with reading their bio and making sure that they are local to the city, that they’re not just someone who purchased the land, or the building, and they don’t even live in Mexico and are just like profiting off of Mexico. I am super intentional about creating the relationships that I have with the people that I partner with in Mexico and being able to support them even when I’m not there. So that’s like sharing their content, sharing their skills and elevating who they are and their knowledge on social media.

Mónika  34:28  You’re incredibly involved in building community through your podcast, elevating good Dora through community events recently through purchasing a building in your neighborhood that has the express purpose, right of being a hub for community building. How do all of these aspects of your work relate to you as a photographer?

Karina Mora  34:49  I think it all started from my experience in the wedding photography industry. I think there was a point that I realized that the community See I was building wasn’t a community that was going to support who I was as a person, it was just going to support what I can contribute to the wedding industry. And I realized that when I started to take a step back, and then all those relationships disappeared, and I was like, I thought I had built relationships with these people. And while that is okay, I knew that I wanted to create a space that was intentional about the safety of coming as you are as a Latina, or a person of color, and having a space that is going to uplift you for who you are as an entrepreneur, but also who you are as a person. And I think that when you are building a business, whether it’s in photography, or in a creative space, you can, it is very easy to get lost in what you do. And you kind of forget who you are, and who you want to be, and the energy that you want to put out into the world. Because you’re so focused on building a thing. And so that is the, the intention around the community that I’m building, I really want to create a safe space for Latinas. Whether you’re an entrepreneur or not, to feel like they can come they can share their stories, they could hear stories that are relatable to them. And also get help if you are a business owner. A lot of the times when we I am in like networking groups, I am saying like, Oh, I know this person, you should get in contact with them. I’m trying to make connections. So that way, we can all elevate each other in our businesses.

Mónika  36:56  What role has developing this creative community played in your own artistic growth? Because you hang out with some amazingly talented artists I’ve seen, you know, the brunch photos and you know, knowing some of these Latinas and what they do and what they create. So how is that how is just creating your own creative community feed you?

Karina Mora  37:17  I mean, it is the highlight every every workshop that I co host, every networking brunch that I co host is the highlight of that week or that month, I think this space is something that I didn’t know that I needed. And now that I have it, and other people are resonating with it, I have like, this needs to continue to grow. Because just having even with the networking, brunches, like it’s very chill, but even just having a space that you can show up. As you are, we can comadrear and talk about our hardships in business, we can talk about our struggles, in our personal life, we could celebrate each other and laugh. Like that has just filled me to overflow. And it’s something that I wish that I had, when I was starting my business, we are always looking out for each other and collaborating and really just pouring into who we are as women, alongside who we are as entrepreneurs.

Mónika  38:38  And can you describe I realize we’re talking about all these things that you do, but we haven’t really described what it is your vision is. So what is your vision? What is it all the components of what you’re building? And how do you see them all fitting together?

Karina Mora  38:52  Yes, I asked myself this question almost every week, every month, and it is coming together slowly, I think who I am as a photographer is how I’ve built what I built. building my wedding photography business, gave me the perspective on how I want to build a business. It gave me that knowledge of how important storytelling is. It gave me the foundation of how I wanted to build a business. And as I went down and have reconstructed and pivoted my business, I really wanted the community part to also be the center. And so I think because I came from a photography industry, a lot of the people that I met were photographers and our photographers and so they are still really close and dear friends of mine, and we stay connected but I think To look at the big picture, I’m building this brand, this community for Latina creatives, Latina entrepreneurs. And I want to be able to use my expertise as an entrepreneur to pour into my peers, the next generation, and also use this space to elevate the stories of the people that I know around me, it’s with those components like storytelling and business building that I’m trying to build and create this space. This space as in like, in the online world, this space as in like in person events, and then eventually, with a studio that I’ll be able to host larger groups and have a studio space that is accessible to other creatives to us. I mean, the studio space is under construction, but hopefully it will have a photography space with like backdrops and lighting that people can, can come and rent if they’re just starting out and testing equipment, figuring out what they want to buy what before they make a purchase, it will have a podcasting studio so that way, if someone is just starting out, and they just need the equipment to use, they can rent the space and not have such a big investment upfront, I also wanted to have a kitchen space. So if there is anyone a creative baker or a chef that just needs a little bit bigger space than their house, and want to be able to rent that space for a short amount of time they have that access, and then also partner with other small businesses that if they just need a space to host a workshop, we can collaborate. And it can be at a much lower cost than if they were having to rent per hour somewhere else. I want to be able to work with the community of creatives in the Chicago area and have a space that is accessible for people to build their business. And sometimes, because sometimes you just need someone that’s going to offer a little bit of support to get you started. And so that’s what I want to be I want this space to be for, for other people.

Mónika  42:19  That’s a beautiful, vision, I can’t wait to visit this space.

Karina Mora  42:23  Thank you. Yeah, it is a work in progress. And it’s taking longer than I wanted, you know, as a millennial, I want everything done now. But we are I am trying to be intentional about each part of our building. And so I would rather it takes a little bit more time and for it to be done right than for me to just rush through everything.

Mónika  42:49  Is there anything I haven’t asked about that you would like to share?

Karina Mora  42:52  I think I’ve come to this part of my life, my business that I just see so much hope. And I’m so excited for what is to come. And every time I make a new connection and meet someone that is starting out or trying to get to the next step in their business. I get so excited for them. And I just want to be there to cheerleader. And I hope that that continues to grow. Because I get excited when I see other people excited about community about sharing who they are and sharing their passion.

Mónika  43:35  Beautiful. And are there any Latina entrepreneurs that you would like to share with our listeners?

Karina Mora  43:42  Oh, so many.

Mónika  43:44  It’s so hard. Maybe three, one to three.

Karina Mora  43:49  Okay, so I will give a shout out to my photographer friend Veronica. She is a boudoir photographer here in Chicago and she’s actually the one that I co host our networking brunches with our Comadre brunch every month. She I met her in the wedding industry. And she was like the first person that I’m like, Are you feeling a little bit? Something in this wedding industry? Is it just me like are we getting pushed off to the side? Because you know, we’re Latina. Like I was able to talk to her about those things. And she’s like, Yes, girl. I wish someone would have said this sooner. And so we really connected and that’s why we wanted to offer this commodity brunch every month and so I will shout her out. She’s an amazing photographer, another photographer. My friend Jasmine Lopez. Her brand is authentic adventure. She also has a nonprofit the Firehouse Dream, where she works with BIPOC creatives to provide a safe space for them. as they are learning new skills, and so she was also someone that I connected with in the wedding industry. And she was also one of the first people that I was having these conversations with, like, um, are you being told that we have to, like, present ourselves as something different than who we are? And she’s like, yes, it didn’t sit well with me. Like, why am I gonna pretend to be someone I’m not. And so we have stayed connected through all of our own pivots and journey as we reclaim who we are as Latinas and undoing the trauma that we may have gone through because of the mental hoops that we were going through as we built our business. So those are the two main photographer friends that I that I have here in Chicago that really helped me and keep me grounded and that I can have conversations with when I’m feeling low or feeling stuck.

Mónika  46:01  And where can folks find you?

Karina Mora  46:04  I have two websites. So if you want to know about photography, my fine art photography, guided trips to Mexico, go to karinamora.com you can get all of that information there. And to be part of the podcast community elevatinglacultura.com is where you can go that’s where you can see all the upcoming events that I have listened to podcast episodes, and stay connected with this, this community that I’m building.

Mónika  46:37  Thank you so much all that will be linked in the show notes. I definitely recommend Karina’s podcast, every season has a theme I love the last one about food. It was so beautiful, all of the folks that you had on there talking about their food traditions and how they’ve continued to share those. So definitely recommend that. Thank you so much Karina. This is so beautiful. And I’m so happy to talk to you. And I’m so excited about your vision and for one day getting myself to Chicago to see your space and participate in all these wonderful events.

Karina Mora  47:12  Yes, please do. I would love to meet you and connect with you in person. We’ve had like a relationship for two years online, which is like many relationships that happened over the pandemic but I am so excited to meet you in person, hopefully soon. And I’m just so thankful that you have me on the podcast.

Mónika  47:37  In our next episode, she’ll share images she created in Mexico and you will get a sneak peek into her process and thinking as she documented three cities through her lens. As a fellow community builder, I am so excited for getting this vision in Chicago and for how she is offering a different experience to those who travel with her to Mexico. I relate to having used photography as a grounding tool for healing. What resonated with you? I would love to hear from you. You can email me directly at ourlatinalens@gmail.com or send me a DM on Instagram @ourlatinalens. Share this with someone you think will enjoy hearing Karina’s story, use the Share button right in your podcast player. Gracias for listening.

Mónika  48:29  Our Latina Lens podcast is produced, edited and hosted by me Monika Aldarondo Lugo. Our theme song was created by Mattijas Mueller. Our logo was designed by Tumpa Mistry. Thank you again for listening.

Mónika  48:51  Laancla Creative Sound Logo