Life & Work with Karina Pires of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Karina Pires.

Hi Karina, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
If you told seven-year-old me that one day I’d be photographing weddings in Los Angeles, I probably would’ve laughed and gone back to selling bracelets out of my parents’ window in Brazil. But life has a funny way of connecting the dots.

I grew up in Brazil as the oldest of three kids, and honestly, I’ve been an entrepreneur since day one. My grandmother gave me my very first camera when I was little. Little did she know she was handing me my future!

At seven, I was selling cord bracelets out of my parents’ window. By ten, I was running a mini catalog business in the neighborhood, selling my hand-knit pieces. At seventeen, I was designing and selling unique pieces to boutiques in my hometown, Caxias do Sul. Things went so well that I bought two knitting machines and launched my first official business, all while studying business at the same time.

But by twenty-one, I was craving more—travel, adventure, a new language. So, I pressed pause on everything and moved to Los Angeles. I barely spoke English, but I enrolled at Santa Monica College while babysitting to get by. One of my classes was photography, and from the very first day, I was hooked.

Then came the turning point. In 2002, a close friend asked me to shoot her wedding in London. Around the same time, my teacher asked if anyone was interested in wedding photography. I misheard him and thought he said “wedding photography workshop”, so I raised my hand. I was the only one. That “oops” moment landed me a spot training with wedding and portrait studios during the busy season. And just like that, I was in love with weddings.

Fast-forward to today: I get to tell love stories through my camera. My style? A mix of timeless and fun. Elegant, but never stiff. I want my couples to feel completely themselves, to laugh, to cry, to dance, to forget I’m even there. Clients often tell me I have a calming presence, and that the photos feel like “them”. To me, that’s the magic. Weddings aren’t just events—they’re once-in-a-lifetime stories, and I feel lucky every day that I get to capture them.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
After three busy seasons photographing weddings every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for the studio, I knew it was time to take the leap and launch my own wedding photography business. But there was one small problem: how do you open a business… with no clients?

It was terrifying and thrilling all at once. Suddenly, I had to learn everything about running a business—licenses, taxes, paperwork, all the not-so-glamorous details no one talks about. At the same time, I still had bills to pay. My solution was to find a part-time job at Samy’s Camera, working Monday through Thursday, so I could keep my weekends free for my own clients. The studio even kept me on as a backup, which gave me a little cushion while I built my brand.

The hardest part? I had no portfolio. I wasn’t allowed to use any of the weddings I had photographed for the studio. So I had to get creative. I signed up for a few bridal shows and showcased the one destination weddings I’d photographed on my own. I traded sessions with friends. A few of them had gotten married and hated their wedding photos, so I offered to redo portraits.

I also said “yes” to everything. Friends referred me to their companies to shoot events, which connected me with planners, couples, and new moms. Each opportunity opened another door, and little by little, my client list began to grow. It wasn’t easy, but those early years taught me resilience, creativity, and the power of relationships, lessons that continue to guide my business today.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Wedding and event photographer

What were you like growing up?
When I think about “growing up” in my business, it feels a lot like growing up in life. Lots of trial and error, plenty of “oops” moments, and a whole lot of learning along the way. In the beginning, I thought being successful meant just booking weddings and delivering pretty pictures. But I quickly learned that running a business means wearing all the hats: photographer, marketer, accountant, problem-solver, and sometimes even therapist!

What I love most is how much I’ve grown with every season. The determined girl from Brazil who arrived barely speaking English has become a confident business owner in Los Angeles, trusted to capture love stories all over the world. My couples teach me something new every day—about love, about trust, about celebrating life—and I carry those lessons into my work.

If I’ve learned anything, it’s this: growth never stops. Every wedding pushes me to see differently, every client reminds me why I love what I do, and every challenge makes me stronger. Growing up in my business has been a wild, beautiful adventure! And the best part is, I know that girl who used to sell bracelets from her window would be so proud.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.karinapiresphotography.com
• Instagram: karinapiresphotography
• Facebook: Karina Pires Photography