Today we’d like to introduce you to Kari and John Firak.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Kari and John. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Our backgrounds are pretty different, but ended up creating the perfect balance for what we do today. I started out as the Home Furnishings Buyer for the Art Institute of Chicago Museum Shop. I left when we had our son, but luckily kept in contact through the years and was brought back part time as their Social Media Manager. I feel so lucky to have had that opportunity. I learned so much about the blogging community and how to capture and write content that is creative and engaging. I’ve now discovered a niche for myself with online branding; working with local businesses to really capture their image through photography, styling and creative writing.
John story begins a bit earlier, throwing it way back to the 90s when young John was a really rad skateboarder. We’ll leave his skills up to your imagination, but the point here is that the black & white photos in his skateboard magazines were the catalyst for his love of photography. During his time studying film at Columbia College Chicago he was a freelance photographer for a local paper and worked for a food and beverage commercial production studio in Chicago. His last documentary film, a collaboration with his dad and brother, was published on WTTW Chicago. John went back for his master’s degree in media and communication and is now a digital media teacher, putting all these skills to work instructing the next generation of creatives.
LOMA is like our very own Optimus Prime. We combined our skills and twisted them around until we created this really cool new thing. Our photography business!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I wouldn’t say it’s been a bumpy road, but it has been a really looooooooooooong road. For so long it has felt like starting our own business was always just beyond our fingertips. “After I get a couple more freelance accounts we’ll be in a better place to start. After John finds a teaching job and has his summers free we’ll have more time to start. After the kids get older and more independent we’ll be able to concentrate more.” The list went on and on. It’s difficult to scroll through social media and see everyone else appear to accomplish the very thing you want accomplish. Eventually it became pretty clear that there would never be a good time to take the risk. Sometimes you just have to make the leap and see what happens. We are just in the beginning stages and still have so many ideas we want to roll out. This is just the beginning for us!
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about LOMA Studios – what should we know?
We are interior, architectural and product photographers. LOMA Studios, named for our kids Lola and Max, combines John’s photography skills with my eye for framing and styling. My experience in social media introduces a whole new perspective on how to shoot the space so that we capture both the macro (magazine features) and micro (social media posts). Our own home has been featured in Architectural Digest, Design Sponge and Apartment Therapy.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Something that has always served me well in my career is to be open to all possibilities. Most often it’s a case of “one thing led to another and…” for me. Take a chance on what is offered to you in your career. At worst, it’s a learning experience. At best, you discover the key to loving what you do and who you work with.
The other thing is really simple- hard work. Every job I have, every account I work for, I give my all. What is the fun of working if you aren’t invested??
As for John, his advice is that no matter how experienced you are, always go back to the play book to see how you can improve the next time. Never be afraid to experiment and try new things. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t, but you always learn from making mistakes.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lomastudios.com
- Phone: 815-347-4803
- Email: karifirak@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/lomastudios
- Facebook: facebook.com/lomaphotographystudios
Image Credit:
Photography by LOMA Studios | John & Kari Firak
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