Kara Krause is the mother of 2 beautiful, special boys and is married to her high school sweetheart. They live in Oconomowoc and she owns a full-service portrait photography studio in Waukesha where she helps individuals and families create their best portraits ever.
Outside of her business, her hobbies include reading and weightlifting. Kara is also the area coordinator for Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, a national nonprofit that offers free bereavement portraits to families suffering the death of a baby. She also volunteers for The Gold Hope Project, which connects pediatric cancer patients to photographers who also do free portrait sessions. Outside of those two organizations, she is also a member of the Waukesha Rotary Club – and currently also serves on the board.
About Kara Krause
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I’ve been married to my husband Kris for 10 years, together for almost 17 years. We have two beautiful children who are both on the autism spectrum, ages 9 and 5. They are both hilarious, kind, smart, inquisitive boys. We also have a dog, a half German Shepherd/half Great Pyrenees mix named Milo.
Q: Please tell us about your life and what you do (whether working in our community, a business owner, volunteer, etc.). How did you choose that path?
I always had a love for photography. When I was a rising senior in high school, I started my business, offering very affordable senior pictures for people in my graduating class. I fell in love with both the art of photography and the practical side of running a business, and my business was officially born that year. I briefly attended UW-Stevens Point where my intention was to get a degree in Education, but I ultimately decided after a year that I was going to drop out and pursue growing my business full-time. It worked, and I’m proud to say I’ve been in business for over 15 years now.
Q: What do you love most about what you do?
I love getting to meet people who are in all walks of life. I’m a portrait generalist, so I photograph a lot of variety – newborns and maternity to high school seniors to headshots and more. You meet a lot of wonderful, interesting people as a photographer! I love hearing people’s stories and bringing them out in their portraits.
Q: What was the most difficult challenge in getting to where you are now or in your life?
Most days I love being my own boss, but when life gets tough sometimes I wish I had a “normal” job where I can clock in and clock out. It doesn’t work like that when you’re an entrepreneur. This year we went through some significant challenges with our kids’ special needs, and I experienced a rare and aggressive thyroid cancer. It was an incredibly challenging year, but we made it through, and thankfully my business has never been better.
Q: What is the most rewarding part?
I love being able to be there for my kids. Family is always going to be my number one priority. I love seeing the vibrant and special humans my boys are becoming.
Q: What are some of your future goals? Do you have anything exciting coming up that you would like to share?
My goals mostly surround keeping my kids happy and healthy. In terms of business, I’m grateful to have grown it to the point where it really feels like a well-oiled machine for the most part. I love my team, I love my clients, and I love the work we produce.
Q: What advice would you give to someone interested in doing something similar to what you have done/are doing?
If you have a passion for something, when stuff gets tough – don’t quit. Keep going. One foot after the other. Perseverance will take you far.
Kara Krause & Our Community
Q: What is your favorite thing about our community, favorite thing to do, or something unique about our community that you love? (Feel free to share as much as you’d like!)
We live in the most absolutely gorgeous area. There is always something to admire in nature in Lake Country. I love to hike at Lapham Peak, specifically. I also really love the special places we have for kids to play like the Children’s Play Gallery and the Imagination Station in Oconomowoc.
Q: Who is an interesting person you’ve met here in our community, and how have they inspired you?
I work closely with Kristine Depies from Kaydee Management Solutions. I initially met her through a desire to start outsourcing some stuff to a virtual assistant, but she quickly became an amazing friend to me and I am inspired by her own entrepreneurial goals, her generous heart, and her tenacity.
Q: Do you have a favorite coffee shop, cocktail shop, or restaurant?
So many! We love Whelan’s in Oconomowoc particularly. My favorite drink is a dirty chai with oatmilk.
Q: What 3 words would you use to describe our community?
Exceptional, Vibrant, Beautiful.
For Fun
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I was raised vegetarian most of my life. While I don’t eat a strict vegetarian diet anymore, it heavily influenced my dietary habits, which has come with some health benefits.
Q: What is your favorite book, TV show, movie, poem, or song? Why?
This is such a hard question. Book – probably the Harry Potter series. It was what made me fall in love with reading as a kid. TV Show – The Office. Totally my sense of humor. Movie – Kate & Leopold or Where The Heart Is for something lighthearted, The Lord of the Rings for something epic. But really this is an impossible question! I love stories of all kind!
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My kids and my husband. I want to be the best version of myself for them.
Q: If you were a drink (can be a coffee drink, alcoholic, non-alcoholic, etc.), what would you be?
Dirty Chai – sweet but with a kick!
Q: If you could have lunch with anyone, who would it be with? Why?
It would probably be my Grandfather, Gordon. He passed away when I was 6 months old and my parents tell me I had a special connection with him – he was the only person other than my parents who could hold me without me crying. I’ve heard so many amazing stories about him, but obviously don’t have memories of my own. I wish I had known him.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I’d love to visit Australia or New Zealand.
Q: What makes you the happiest?
Snuggling up with a fluffy blanket by a fireplace with a good book and nothing on my schedule.
Q: Any general life advice you would like to share?
Two mantras I live by: “Progress Over Perfection” and “I Never Lose, I Either Win or I Learn”
Where to Find Kara Krause
Email: kara@karareese.com
Phone: (262) 208-5272
Nice To Meet You:
I believe in positively impacting my clients and the community I live in, which is why I jumped at the chance to be an ambassador with “The Faces of Lake Country”. It’s a perfect blend of why I enjoy being a Realtor with Shorewest, Realtors, and everything I love about living in Lake Country.
I truly enjoy being a part of this community and helping others along the way. Prior to real estate, I was an Office Supervisor for the City of Waukesha Park & Recreation Department. During this time, I had the opportunity to work with many business owners and serve the general public. It was there that I realized that it really does take a village to make a community great and each and every one of us plays an important role.
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