We had the good fortune of connecting with Karen DeMamiel and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Karen, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I am a Southern Californian native. I am an only child who lived in Orange County until I was nine years old. My dad loved riding horses and wanted to move us to a property where we could build a house and a barn for horses. He moved us to Murrieta Ca, Which is only an hour away from where we lived, but it felt like moving to another state. My dad is a small business owner, he started his business in our house when I was four years old. My dad is a dreamer, a go-getter, and an adventure taker. My mom always along for the ride, took on the job of his bookkeeper. They are a great team. My dad being a balloon, my mom being the string, keeping him grounded. I am so thankful for their example of hard work and dedication. When we moved to horse country, I soon fell in love with the outdoors and animals. My dad taught me to be brave as I was scared of riding horses on the trail. My mom taught me how to save my babysitting money and balance my checkbook. Our home was full of laughter, singing, and dancing. My parents are such an amazing example of faith, love and hard work. Today they encourage me and help me as I am homeschool mom, wife, and a small business owner.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have been a family and children photographer for 10 years. I love capturing people, and I love kids. Recently I have started taking lifestyle and business photos for professionals and entrepreneurs. I have loved learning about different businesses, meeting new people, learning their story and capturing them in their element. I have also been a fitness instructor for 15 years. In 2017 I became a registered yoga instructor. In 2019 my husband and I decided to pull our kiddos out of school and homeschool them for a bit so that we could travel and do more as a family. I then had to quit teaching classes at fitness clubs so that I could be home and teach my bambinos. That same year I changed my business license from Karen DeMamiel Photography to Karen DeMamiel Creative. I wanted to combine my love of photography and yoga into one business. My heart’s passion is for people to feel comfortable in their own skin, for things to happen organically. With my photography, I love capturing when no one is looking or when they are telling me, showing me something, and how their faces light up. In yoga, I love meeting people who tell me they aren’t flexible, or they are too stressed and busy, suddenly fall in love with the process of yoga and its benefits. I had so many plans for my new business and then covid 19 hit. So I started taking photos of my family, our everyday life, which I was always too busy to do. I took the time to better my editing skills. And with Yoga, I started a YouTube channel with classes as well as teaching on zoom. And my daughter and I started a weekly kids yoga class on Facebook. I have learned that life is short and you gotta jump on opportunities when they come up and you gotta be willing to let go of what needs to be let go of.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
So I am going to pretend that it is baseball season because I am taking her or them to Petco Park for a San Diego Padre game for sure. Spend the night downtown and eat at all the good places. Hit Encinties for a fun beach tour. Our week would also include a hike to Torrey pines, lunch at Urban Plates for lunch. I live in Temecula so the wineries would be a must as well as a spa visit at Pechanga. I would take her to yoga classes on the grass in Dana Point, and then SUP boarding for the day. I would try and squeeze in a day of Joshua tree hiking and shopping as well. In the winter we snowboard in Mammoth, it’s the best.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have so many wonderful people in my life who have supported me, loved me, and encouraged me. My husband is my rock, my biggest supporter. My parents as well are a huge support. I have a friend who is a small business owner in Murrieta and she is such an encourager, she has pushed me to pursue my yoga dreams as well as grow my photography business. Her name is Liselle Degrave. Her business is Degrave Communications Inc, PR.

Website: www.karendemamiel.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karendemamiel/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-demamiel/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karendemamielcreative

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnXCpd0_QUSvpayLI0-ZmlQ

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutSocal is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.