Life & Work with Karin Busch of La Brea / Mid-Wilshire

Today we’d like to introduce you to Karin Busch.

Hi Karin, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’ve honestly been surrounded by cameras for as long as I can remember. Growing up, documenting life was just something my family naturally did. One of my grandpas constantly carried a camera around taking photos of absolutely everything, while the other loved filming family moments on video. Looking back, I think that’s where my fascination with preserving memories really started.

When I was eight years old, I got my very first analogue camera, and I was completely obsessed with it. I still remember the little sounds it made and how exciting it felt every time I pressed the shutter. From that point on, photography slowly became more than just a hobby – it became the way I connected with people and captured the world around me.

Over the years, my style naturally evolved into something very relaxed, emotional, and a little dreamy. I love photojournalistic wedding photography because I’m drawn to the real moments – the in-between emotions, the movement, the things you can’t stage. I’ve never been a fan of stiff posing or forced smiles. I want people to look at their photos years later and genuinely feel something. Besides weddings, I also love photographing couples, families, maternity sessions, and portraits/headshots.

A big turning point in my life happened when I was 17 and spent a year as an exchange student in Napa Valley. After that, I kept coming back to the US to visit my host family and friends, and eventually I made my way to Los Angeles. I completely fell in love with the city – the energy, the creativity, the openness, and honestly just the feeling I had being here. From that point on, there was always this quiet dream in the back of my mind that maybe one day I could build a life and business here.

In 2025, I finally made that dream happen and moved to LA. Starting over with an already established business in a completely new country was definitely scary at times, but also incredibly exciting. It pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best way possible and introduced me to so many amazing people and opportunities. One of the biggest milestones so far has been opening my own photography studio in La Brea, which I also use as a creative space for small workshops and community events.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not – although I do feel very grateful for the opportunities I’ve had along the way. The wedding industry is incredibly talented and creative, and for a long time it was hard not to compare myself to other photographers or question whether my work was “good enough.” Especially in a world where Instagram and Pinterest heavily influence what people see as trendy or desirable, it can be easy to lose sight of your own creative voice.

It definitely took time for me to fully trust my style and feel confident owning it. There were moments where I thought maybe I needed to edit differently or follow certain trends more closely. And honestly, I think a little bit of imposter syndrome never completely disappears when you’re a creative person.

But over time, I realized that the work that feels most meaningful to me is the work that feels authentic to who I am. My editing style is very soft, dreamy, and emotional, and I’ve learned to fully embrace that. I love how flattering and timeless it feels, but also how it reflects the way I personally experience memories. To me, memories never feel perfectly sharp or rigid – they feel soft, emotional, almost like little scenes from a dream. So naturally, that feeling found its way into my work.

I also grew up loving fairytales and romantic storytelling, so I think there’s always been a part of me that wanted to create images that feel a little magical. Now instead of fighting that part of my style, I really lean into it – and I think that’s when my work started to feel the most “me.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a wedding and portrait photographer, primarily focusing on weddings, couples, and emotional storytelling. My work is very people-centered – I love capturing moments that feel genuine, effortless, and full of emotion rather than overly posed or staged. Alongside weddings, I also photograph maternity sessions, families, and portraits/headshots.

I would say I’m especially known for my soft, dreamy editing style and for creating an experience where people feel comfortable in front of the camera, even if they normally feel awkward being photographed. A lot of my couples tell me afterwards that it felt more like spending time together than being in a photoshoot, and that honestly means a lot to me because that’s exactly the feeling I want to create.

What I’m most proud of is that I built my business very organically by staying true to my style instead of constantly chasing trends. Especially in the wedding industry, there can be a lot of pressure to create what’s currently popular online, but I think the strongest work comes from creating something that genuinely reflects you as an artist. Over time, that authenticity also helped me attract the kind of clients who truly connect with my work and trust my creative vision.

Another thing I’m really proud of is taking the leap to move from Germany to Los Angeles and essentially rebuilding my business from the ground up in a completely new country. That was definitely intimidating, but it also reminded me how much I love meeting new people, building connections, and creating something meaningful from scratch.

I think what sets me apart most is the amount of care and intention I put into every couple I work with. I never want my clients to feel like they’re just another booking on my calendar. Getting to know people, understanding their dynamic, and creating a space where they feel comfortable and truly seen is a huge part of my work.

More than anything, I want my couples to look at their photos and genuinely recognize themselves in them – their relationship, their personalities, their emotions, and the way they felt in those moments. I think the most meaningful images are the ones that feel honest and personal, not overly perfected or forced. That’s always what I strive for in my work.

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
I think the biggest advice I could give is to stop comparing yourself so much to everyone else – easier said than done, especially in creative industries and in the age of social media. When you’re starting out, it’s so tempting to constantly look at what everyone else is doing and feel like you need to adapt to every trend in order to be successful. But honestly, the moment I started focusing more on creating work that genuinely felt like me, everything became so much more fulfilling.

I also wish I had known earlier that building a creative business takes time. There’s so much pressure online to grow quickly or have everything figured out immediately, but most successful businesses are built slowly, step by step. Confidence also doesn’t magically appear overnight (at least it didn’t for me) – it grows through experience, through mistakes, and through continuing even when you doubt yourself.

Another thing I’ve learned is that connection matters just as much as technical skill. Photography is about people, emotions, stories, and perspective. The way you make someone feel during a shoot often has just as much impact as the final images themselves. Creating a comfortable and trusting environment can completely change the energy of a session and allows people to be more themselves in front of the camera.

And lastly: don’t wait until everything feels perfect before you start. If I had waited until I felt fully ready or fully confident, I probably never would have taken half the opportunities that eventually helped me grow the most.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://karinbusch.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karinbusch_photography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KarinBuschPhotography
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@karinbuschphotography
• Other: https://de.pinterest.com/karinbusch_photography/

Image Credits
All photos taken by Karin Busch.