Today we’d like to introduce you to Karl DeBlaker.
Hi Karl, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
Since I was 15 years old, I have loved photography. Starting with my high school yearbook, I first identified as a photographer. I have done other jobs and careers, but never without my camera nearby. In 1993, at the urging of my wife Lori, I applied and landed a job with the Raleigh News & Observer as a photographer. I also began to work with the Associated Press in Raleigh; this was so long ago that my first assignments for the AP were all shot on a single roll of film. I had two things to cover at the legislature. Bob Jordan, my first boss with the AP, gave me one roll of 24-exposure film and wanted both assignments shot on the same roll. It was a lot of different time than the current digital method. Some of my fondest memories involve photography. I was two hours late to my first date with my wife because the high school football game I was covering went into double overtime; after that, she came with me to most of the football games and sat near me on the sidelines or in the stands. For the past 20 years or so, I have worked a couple of different jobs, but never have I not taken assignments from other clients. I have been fortunate enough to be published numerous times in national publications such as Sports Illustrated, Playboy, People, and USA Today, as well as newspapers throughout the country. While working for the Associated Press, I have covered many NCAA football and basketball games and NHL Carolina Hurricanes games, including their Stanley Cup win in 2006. I left the corporate world three years ago to open a studio in Clayton, N.C. I have worked with all types of clients, including Miss North Carolina and Miss USA competitors. The last two years have enabled me to do what I have always wanted to do. My dad used to tell me a rich person does what they love for a living, and they don’t work another day in their lives.
Alright, 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?
In 2001 my wife had a stroke a few months after the birth of our third child. As a result, we had some related financial issues, but we are still married 34 years this next anniversary. In 2019 I lost my full-time job due to corporate downsizing. I was not able to find a full-time job and still can’t. 2020 Covid killed the business that I was starting to build. Since Jan of this year, it has been starting to make a profit.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I currently run my studio in Clayton, NC, specializing in pageant and model photography, senior portraits, and sports. I am still working for The Associated Press.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.karlbdeblakerphotography.com
- Instagram: @karldeblaker
Image Credits
001 Caroline Kelly IG: @caroline.kelly_modeling 002 Madi Walker, 2021 Miss Teen North Carolina USA IG:@madisonwalker 003 Caroline Kelly IG: @caroline.kelly_modeling 004 Jamie Leigh IG: @jamie_leighb 005 Gabby Ortega 2022 Miss Teen North Carolina USA IG: @gabbyortega_23 006 Carli Batson IG: @carli_batsonmadisongwalker 007 Marisa Cooley IG: @queencoolsville 008 Rileigh Hobgood IG: @rileigh_madelynne 009 Gabby Ortega 2022 Miss Teen North Carolina USA IG: @gabbyortega_23 010 Rileigh Hobgood IG: @rileigh_madelynne 011 Yancie Mitchell IG: @yancielorelei 012 Cearra Blackwell IG: @c e a r r a 013 Carlie Spencer IG: @carlie.allison.spenc 014 Rileigh Hobgood IG: @rileigh_madelynne 015 Carlie Spencer IG: @carlie.allison.spenc 016 Caroline Kelly IG: @caroline.kelly_modeling 017 New York Rangers @ Carolina Hurricanes For the Associated Press 018 Noelle Krishnakumar IG:@onlynoelle 019 Kay Yow’s 600 victory shot for NC State University 020 NC States win over Rice in the 17th inning of an NCAA college baseball tournament super regional game, Sunday, June 9, 2013
