All images are available for purchase from my website Bonanza.com/KVWcreations or e-mail me with your request.

Karen Van Wert, KVW, is an Iowa farm girl at heart but currently makes her home in Savage, Minnesota. At a young age, Karen was intrigued with her Grandfather’s passions for photography and travel. His Saturday night travel slide shows inspired Karen and his passions would one day become her own.

KVW began exploring creative outlets at an early age. She has explored the mediums of needlework, paper crafts and beadwork in addition to her photography. Each of these creative methods has added to her keen sense of detail, form, shape, color and lighting.

The first camera KVW owned was won selling magazines for a school project. Over the years, Karen’s camera has become a form of stress relief. She claims “There is nothing better than knowing you captured that perfect image whether in your Mom’s backyard or in the heart of Tokyo. You look into the viewfinder, take the shot and in your heart you know that was the one. You do not need to wait for developing. You can pack up and move on because it is as close to perfect as it will ever be. I love those moments.”

KVW captures images of common objects from unusual angles providing the viewer with a new perspective. Her favorites include icy formations on Minnesota’s north shore, grave markers and close-up floral images. Karen’s degree in geology has also inspired her to create a series of microscopic thin section images of rocks. One such image was published in coffee table book “Outstanding Collegiate Photographers of 1984”.

Karen’s one woman show “All Things Bright and Beautiful” was displayed in April and May 2006 at Como Conservatory and Zoological Gardens. KVW also had work recognized at the MN State Fair 2006 and selected to participate in the Edina Art Center members’ juried show 2006. In 2007 KVW participated in the WPVA “Women’s Work” exhibit at the Phipps Gallery, Hudson, WI and “Orchids in Art and Life” at the Edina Art Center. The St Paul Winter Carnival Orchid Show kicked off the 2008 show season. Fiesta Umbrellas received honorable mention at the 2008 Iowa State Fair.

As an event photographer, KVW has professionally photographed weddings, Stellent Inc. Crescendo, Lawson Software CUE, Jacob Wetterling Foundation Gala, Center of Lifeskills for Leadership Fundraiser, Messiah Lutheran Church Summer Celebration and St Stephen Lutheran Church Christmas Pageant. Karen has also donated images to a number of fund raising events for charities such as United Way, Kaleidoscope for Kids and Leukemia Lymphoma Society’s Team In Training.