Meet Ladera Heights Photographer: Karim Saafir

Today we’d like to introduce you to Karim Saafir.

Karim, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I have always loved art. I began as a fine artist and my main mediums were pen and ink and pencil. I like those two over painting because I felt I had more control. In the late 90’s I began to get into the digital arts designing artwork and editing images. My late wife was a photographer I assisted her on her shoots. She did not live to see the digital age of photography. When she passed I was left with all of her equipment I began to slightly dabble into photography. I was told a few times that I was a great photographer and I felt that I was just a good picture taker because I knew how to capture a frame but not how to make the camera do what I wanted to do. My current wife purchased me a new digital camera and I began to study more about photography. This is when my journey began as an actual photographer.

Has it been a smooth road?
Photography has its struggles. It’s a form of art. Not everyone is appreciative of your art. I like the struggles they push me to become better and better.

Have there been people or an institution that has played a pivotal role in your career?
High school counselor Mrs. Day. I attended San Gorgonio High School in San Bernardino, CA. I like art but did not want to take art as an elective because of the idea I had about taking the class for an easy “A”. My counselor informed my mother that I had to take an elective in order to fulfill the requirements to enter a Cal State or UC 4 year college. That is when I first enrolled in an art class and began my journey into the arts.

What type of clients or projects do you look forward to most?
The clients I like to work with are people, I love to interact and bring out the personality of the subject in the photo. An artistic client would be a great person to work with, the type of client that has no boundaries on what we can create. The kind of client willing maybe get a little dirty or climb into a small space to help bring my creative idea to life.

What do you know now that you wish you knew when you were just starting out?
If I had to start over there is not much I would have done differently, because I look at everyday and every moment as a lessoned learned to help create a new start.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.karimsaafirphotography.com
• Phone: 3106128032
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: karims123
• Facebook: karimsaafirphotography

 

Image Credit:
Model Whitney Conner
Mr & Mrs. Talley Wedding at the Ayres Hotel, Manhattan Beach, CA
Little Miss Sydney Simms
Model Christina Cooper