Kharen Hill
About
Kharen Hill is a portrait photographer and director known for cinematic imagery and expressive visual storytelling. She specializes in portraits that reveal the personality and authenticity of her subjects, from world-renowned actors and musicians to emerging talent.
Her work has appeared in TIME, Architectural Digest, People Magazine, and The Hollywood Reporter, with clients including Disney, Warner Bros., Coca-Cola, Honda, and UNICEF. Kharen’s portraits are recognized for their technical precision and emotional impact.
As an educator, Kharen teaches portrait photography in Los Angeles and Vancouver and guest lectures at photography programs across North America, where she accepts students for mentorship. She focuses on lighting, composition, posing, and directing subjects, helping students develop both technical skills and their own creative voice. She also supports youth arts education through the Sarah McLachlan Schools of Music and Goh Ballet School.
Kharen serves on the Board of APA (American Photographic Artists), is a mentor at LACP (Los Angeles Center of Photography), and has held leadership roles with CAPIC and Soapbox Women LA, advocating for professional standards and mentorship in photography. Originally from New Zealand, she travels internationally while mentoring the next generation of portrait photographers.
Gallery
LACP Interviews Kharen Hill
LACP asks Kharen Hill ten questions about their background, career in and beliefs about photography.
Los Angeles Center of Photography: What kind of photographer are you?
Kharen Hill: I’m a portrait, studio, and location photographer, traveling internationally for music, entertainment, advertising, and fine art. For me, it’s all about telling stories and collaborating with talented people to create something unforgettable. My fine art has found its way into collections internationally, and my work represents brands and people around the world. My advice? Stay curious, follow your vision, and don’t be afraid to take chances. That’s how you create a life in photography that’s not only successful but full of adventure and creativity.
LACP: How long have you been photographing?
KH: I’ve built my career over decades. I started professionally in my early 20s when a media program practicum from my media studies program led to a year-long global assignment photographing Air Canada destinations. More than 20 years later, I moved to Los Angeles to be at the center of the entertainment industry and continue my career from the ground zero of entertainment.
LACP: Where did you get your training?
KH: I had some formal media studies at Capilano University and 2 years of a Bachelor of Commerce early on, but my path in photography has been largely self-taught. I didn’t have the opportunity to assist In a large city but honed my photography through real assignments, working on shoots with studios, agencies, and major creative teams worldwide. My media program included a basic black-and-white darkroom class, and assignments in class were mostly film-based slide photography. I started my career with one camera and one lens, after being discovered through a mentorship program at a creative company and have taken every assignment learning as I go and going from one person travel shoots to directing multiple shoot teams with multiple setups and formats in both motion and still versions.
LACP: When did you know you wanted to devote your life to photography?
KH: I knew at 19 that photography was what I wanted to do. I abandoned my 3rd year of a Commerce and law degree and I applied to specialized photography schools. I was turned down because I lacked a portfolio and experience but I was accepted into my plan B – a generalized media program that taught black and white darkroom photography, audio production, and editing. During that program, I realized my photographs stood out, I loved everything about capturing the world on film and photography became my passion. My career became full-time after a final work practicum where I pushed to be sent out on location after listening to a photographer meeting about a travel assignment across Canada. The creative director saw my work, formally hired me, for a freelance project and right after graduation, I was on my first global assignment for Air Canada. That experience led to more work and from Travel, Corporate and annual reports I eventually focused on portraits in entertainment and music photography, including album art, and key art.
LACP: Did you ever come close to giving up?
KH: Photography has changed a lot since I started — from the end of local Kodachrome processing to the end of film as the main medium, the rise of personal video, the internet, smartphones, the digital age and new tech and the centralization of fashion and advertising. There were moments of stress and change, and it can feel isolating, but I’ve never wanted to give up. I always embraced the changes, jumped on new tech, and adapted as markets changed. Times can be challenging, but your passion and dedication keep you focused on opportunities and innovation.
LACP: Have you sacrificed anything by being a photographer?
KH: I’ve been lucky to have support at home and to become a parent while building my career. Travel away family has been hard at times, but I grew up moving around the world and living in multiple countries so the photography lifestyle comes naturally. I’ve been my own boss my whole life, running production companies in Canada and the USA and have had the vision to create the life I want. I can honestly say I didn’t have to give up anything to follow this path as there was never anything else I wanted to do as much as being involved in the visual arts.
LACP: What have you gained by being a photographer?
KH: I’ve gained a life full of creativity, travel, and experiences. Along the way, I’ve had the chance to work with some of the most incredible creative minds in the industry and photograph many of the most talented and photogenic actors in the world — which has been inspiring, to say the least. I’ve also been lucky to work with amazing teams on worldwide assignments, see my imagery recognized, and mentor emerging creatives, whether as part of my team or as aspiring photographers finding their path. Beyond that, I’ve had the joy of mentoring emerging photographers, sharing my career path and expertise and helping others grow their career – which is just as inspiring as the work itself.
LACP: What classes do you teach at LACP?
KH: I serve as a mentor for students wishing to learn from an industry photographer and am an instructor in the Los Angeles Center of Photography’s Horizon: Headshot & Portraiture track. I focus on controlled lighting, confident subject direction, portfolio development, and commercial portrait skills.
LACP: What do you love most about teaching?
KH: I love mentoring emerging creatives, sharing real industry experience, and helping photographers grow their vision and confidence. I also guide them on how to prepare for assignments, budget, and manage client expectations. I enjoy seeing and encouraging the individual creativity in students’ work and helping them hone their true vision.
LACP: What advice would you give someone who is thinking about making a career in photography?
KH: Gain real experience, follow your creative curiosity, and commit to continuous learning. Embrace both the artistic and business sides of photography. Success comes from strong vision, dedication, practical skills, and working with a well-directed support team. Always deliver more than what the client asks for. That little something extra that inspires them. Going above and beyond is how you get remembered, chosen again, and appreciated for your creative contribution.