Karen J Hawley Photography

My wife and I had a great photo shoot with Karen at the Woodburn Tulip farm. The weather wasn’t great but the photos turned out fantastic. Would use Karen again.

We hired Karen for our wedding, and overall, she was amazing. She took tons of beautiful photos and even climbed a ladder with a special lens to get a big group shot after the ceremony — which turned out perfect! The only area we were disappointed in was the family portraits. These were taken after a couple hours of shooting in the heat, and it felt like she rushed through them. In one, my mom is awkwardly spaced apart from my husband — something a quick adjustment could’ve fixed (however she very kindly edited my mom closer in the picture and now its a family favorite). A few smaller group shots also have partially blocked faces, with 7-10 people in a group a blocked face really stands out and I wish she had slowed down and taken a little longer to adjust people. Another small note — in several pictures, I’m holding my bouquet up by my chin, and I wish she had reminded me to lower it. It’s not a huge issue, but it’s something I hoped a professional would help guide me on. I would still absolutely recommend her — just be sure to clearly communicate if family photos are a big priority for you and ask her to take her time with those. We hope to work with her again for future family shoots.

As a venue that hosts dozens of weddings each year, we’ve had the pleasure of working with many photographers—but Karen J Hawley stands out in the best way. Her calm, friendly presence instantly puts couples (and vendors!) at ease, and her ability to capture the spirit of the day is truly exceptional. Karen knows how to work with the natural light and seasonal beauty of our space, and she’s incredibly thoughtful about logistics. Her communication is clear, her timeline management is spot-on, and she always treats our property and team with respect. We love seeing her final galleries—not just because they’re stunning, but because they reflect the joy, connection, and personality of each couple. Karen doesn’t just document weddings—she elevates them. If you’re a couple looking for a photographer who’s talented, kind, and a dream to work with, Karen J Hawley is a true professional and a creative force.