I HEART WORK
Who are you: Kara Rosenlund
What is your work: Photographer, Stylist, Adventurer
Where can we find you: Website / Instagram / Facebook / Pinterest
Describe your work in 5 words? Authentic, organic, abundant, honest, transparent.
Can you tell us a little about your what you do? I’m a photographer, a stylist and also a vintage wares retailer, which is housed in my travelling caravan.
Describe your journey to get to your current career? I always wanted to be a photographer. I was rarely without my camera in my teens. I went on to study photography and had a very colourful career as a photographer in Sydney. I then decided to move to London to fulfill my aspirations to become an antiques dealer. On a buying trip to France I saw some Romanian women selling French linen out of the back of a caravan which inspired the next chapter of my career - launching my travelling wares business housed in a 1956 caravan, Frankie
What is a typical day in the office? I’m rarely in the office these days. I’m on the road a lot, either sourcing for Travelling Wares or shooting editorial work. What I’m most excited about is that I’m currently travelling Australia shooting for an upcoming project on authentic Australian interiors.
What is the first thing you do when you get to work? Put some music on - silence kills the creative vibe.
Where is your office/studio and what is the view out of your window? When I’m not on the road, I work from home in my workroom which is a very dark space with no view deliberately for retouching. Alternatively, a lot of work happens on the dining room table, overlooking my deck and the backyard with my chickens and the veggie patch.
What are the tools of your trade? My camera, my tape measure, and an excessive collection of every adhesive tape imaginable.
What can’t you work without? My iPhone which, for a piece of technology, is such a valuable tool for my business, especially Instagram
Why do you love what you do? Because it allows me to meet the most amazing, inspiring people from all walks of life.
Who or what inspires you? I’m inspired most by the colours and textures of the natural world.
What is the best advice you have received? You will never be ready. Say yes, jump into it and swim fast.
One moment in your career you will always remember? I like to always look forward, however, having a photographic exhibition at the Sydney Opera House was memorable.
What is the best part of your job? Creative freedom.
And the worst? Creative freedom.
What’s your proudest career achievement? Launching Frankie, The Travelling Wares.
What are you working on at the moment? At the moment I’m on the road shooting for my upcoming project on Australian interiors.
What single thing would improve the quality of your life? I read eight years ago that time would become a luxury, and at the time it made no sense to me. However, fast forward to now, and to have more free time would definitely change the quality of my life.
Three of your favourite websites or Instagram feeds? Instagram: @benjaminhole. Websites: www.thedesignfiles.com, www.remodelista.com
What have you learnt the hard way? To say no.
If you could do another job what would you like to do and why? I wouldn’t want to do anything other than what I’m doing now. I’m lucky in that if I wanted to incorporate another aspect to my business, I can.
What advice would you give to someone wanting to do what you are doing? Just do it! The quicker you start it, the faster you’ll get there.
If you could be someone for a day who would it be? Alice Waters – a true pioneer of the paddock-to-plate philosophy.
Do you have a secret ambition still to achieve? So many. I would love to have a TV show on Australian interiors.
What is your personal motto? Live simply. Don’t be swayed by trends. Buy once. Buy quality.
What would you like to be doing in five years time? Living by the sea doing exactly what I’m doing now.
If you had an extra hour each day what would you do with it? I would do yoga.
How would you like to be remembered? As someone who opened the eyes of everyday Australians to the beauty of our country, and the Australian way of life.
Thank you Kara for talking to The Lifestyle Editor.
