Karmen Elaine began education and accelerated her passion for photography in Chicago, Illinois. Karmen studied at Harrington College of Design and graduated with a degree in Commercial Digital Photography class of 2015. Karmen's roster of collaborations include: B.A.R. (Black Artist Retreat), USA Artist Assembly, The Chicago Portfolio School, Chances Dances, No Small Plans, Red7Salon, Planned Parenthood, The Fly Honey Show, Gold Cash Gold, Detroit Artists Test Lab, Detroit Artist Market, NoHo Hospitality, Shinola Hotel, and the Detroit Regional Partnership TequionBrookins and many more. Creating media content, corporate headshots and event coverage for these brands and companies. 

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In 2020 Karmen's passion for writing allowed her the opportunity to write articles for Eater Detroit, an interview with Bridge Detroit, and now the launch of Elaine. Letters about life through the eyes of a new smbc (solo mother by choice) named after her grandmother Joyce, and the love of her life Elexander.