Photographer and dog in forest

Meet Karen

Karen Hoglund with her golden retriever dog

PHOTOGRAPHER 

Hi! I’m Karen. I have a squeaky toy in one hand, a camera in the other, and fur all over my clothes.

My Background
I art directed photoshoots for ad agencies during my early career. I even hired a golden retriever model for a national advertising campaign. Talk about foreshadowing! Working with high-end clients, I came to understand the importance of professionalism in my artistic work. As part of my graphic design job, I further honed my camera skills by photographing children. I started my pet photography business in 2012.

Why Pet Photography? 
In the beginning, I photographed children. I was good at it, but my true love was dogs and cats. I asked a former co-worker to help me select images for my portfolio one day. She leveled with me and said my animal photography was much stronger than my family photography. That didn’t come as a surprise. I have endless patience for animals. I decided to specialize in pets and haven’t looked back.

I Create Works of Art 
When I photograph your cat or dog, I promise it will be an enjoyable, laid-back experience. My goal is to capture your pets as your heart sees them. I studied photography as part of my Fine Art degree, so I know how to create beautiful works of art. I will carefully edit and retouch your final images to complement your home and serve as memories for years to come.

My Hobbies
Hiking – I will never tire of hiking in Colorado. Ever since a childhood backpacking trip to Rocky Mountain National Park, I knew I would move here from Illinois. I’ve lived in Denver for over 25 years, and there are still new trails to explore.
Gardening – I love plants almost as much as animals. I often bring my flowers or houseplants to photoshoots.
Baking – I love baking, and you’ll get homemade chocolate chip cookies to snack on during your ordering session.

Meet Murphy

Golden retriever by lake in winter

KAREN’S DOG

I adopted my golden retriever, Murphy, from the Golden Retriever Rescue of the Rockies (GRRR) in 2012. Sadly, he died in January 2024. My husband, Dan, and I are grieving the loss of one of the best dogs we’ve ever had.

I took countless photos of him, and trust me, he wasn’t the easiest model. He taught me patience and some tricks that made photographing other animals seem like a breeze. Despite his craziness, I loved Murphy, and I miss him deeply.

Karen Hoglund in her office

Here are some of the places my photos have been published.

Logos of where I'm published

You can see printed samples of my artwork (canvas, metal, framed prints and more) at these Denver veterinarians and pet businesses.

Logos of vets and pet businesses that display Karen Hoglund's photography