About Karen Grant

Hello and welcome to my website!

I am a hobbyist photographer, cancer thriver and a creativity motivator.

My interest in photography started in high school when I took a photography class using a 35mm film camera. Shooting on film gave me the chance to experiment with different types of film that had different looks. As I developed my photos in the darkroom, seeing my photos slowly come to life was truly magical to me.

In January of 2004, at the age of 29, I was diagnosed with bi-lateral mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a rare form of lung cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. I was told by my doctor, the late Dr. David J. Sugarbaker, that I only had about four months to live if I chose not to undergo aggressive surgery on each lung. I chose to fight. I was his first bi-lateral mesothelioma patient. I spent most of the year in the hospital having numerous surgeries and chemotherapy. On January 4, 2005, I received the best New Year’s Day gift ever– I was told by Dr. Sugarbaker that I was cancer free. I am the youngest person to have it on both lungs and be in remission for this long. Because of the surgeries, I have disabilities that I deal with on a daily basis; sometimes they slow me down, but I do not let them stop me from doing what I love.

After defying the odds, I decided to pick up my camera and turn what was a hobby in to something I love to do everyday.

My camera drives me to be creative. It teaches me to look, to grasp the views around me. It’s a spice of life, it’s what keeps me excited and at the top of my game. I am always creating everyday. I always have a camera with me as I never know when something will pull me in for a photo.

I am awestruck by the beauty in flowers. And capturing the delicate wings of exquisite butterflies as they fly from flower to flower is breathtaking to me.

I love seizing the moment and then converting those moments into memories that last a lifetime.