In addition to individual and family portraits and events, Karen Rayda does sports photography and work for local businesses.
Photographer Karen Rayda says the notion that some people are naturally photogenic while others are best advised to avoid the camera is nonsense.
“Everyone has a distinctive feature that glows before the lens,” she said. “The key is to find it.”
That pursuit is exactly what Ms. Rayda dedicates herself to as part of her work. It is a labor of love that grew out of a curiosity as a child and developed into a passionate hobby as a young adult.
She bought her first camera on money earned delivering newspapers in the Long Island town of her youth. That camera was always with her as she sought out memorable subjects in her neighborhood. Later, she took classes to learn about the mechanics of photography and picture composition, working with a coach who helped her establish fundamental techniques.
Ms. Rayda has invested some $10,000 in her profession, but she calls the time investment inconsequential since it has been so enjoyable.
Her passion has become a growing business. In addition to individual and family portraits and events, Ms. Rayda also does sports photography for Ridgefield High School and chronicles charity events by Stop & Shop and other corporations. She also does work for local businesses and organizations such as Special Olympics, Relay for Life and Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.
One of her clients credited her with producing striking images of her daughter’s Bat Mitzvah. “Warmth and humor are qualities that bring out the best in people, and Karen is uniquely gifted in this area,” said Judi Zieselman Stoogenke.
Ms. Rayda enjoys one-on-one sessions most because they let her connect with her subjects.
Her approach is simple: maintain fluid interaction while getting people to open up about their passions and pursuits.
Her sessions typically last an hour, with the “sweet spot” for the best shots happening between 15 and 45 minutes. In the best of these shoots, her subjects “smile with their eyes,” producing beautiful natural images, although other expressions can also be memorable.
One recent session had a dad gazing lovingly at his wife and baby. “The emotion melted right into the image,” she said.
Working behind the lens has taught Ms. Rayda a few things about what works in front of the lens. For example, she says, for a standing shot, men look better when they cup their fingers slightly inward, while women should keep their fingers elongated.
A hand or thumb inside a pants pocket plays well, as does folded arms, a chin supported by hands for a ground level shot, and one’s head facing the camera but body angled to one side.
Never force a smile, she says.
“Project yourself the same way you would a heartfelt thought or emotion,” said Ms. Rayda, a married mother of two children.
On the subject of “selfies” — photographing oneself and posting to the Internet — Ms. Rayda advises caution. “I like to see people looking their best and selfies typically don’t cut it,” she said. “But always be careful that whatever you post is appropriate.”
Her favorite shot: A footbridge blanketed in snow atop Mt. Sunapee, New Hampshire.
The shot she regrets missing: An elderly man kissing his wife on the forehead at the supermarket. “It was the most touching thing I ever saw,” she said.
For all her professionalism, Ms. Rayda said she never wants to lose the wonderment she had as a young girl because she believes it is fundamental to good photography.
She quotes the renowned photojournalist Alfred Eisenstaedt: “Every professional should always remain in his heart an amateur.”