This morning we’re out here photographing this beautiful church called St. Thomas. It’s like this little hillside suspended, you know, in a cloud – it’s just beautiful. You know those moments in your life when you experience something profound, something beautiful, or awe inspiring? That’s the space I’m always trying to step into. It’s in those moments that our senses become heightened, our consciousness is elevated. We’re more connected. The photography for me is a way of looking at the world through those eyes. Because it’s there where those magical moments and unique experiences seem to unfold. I’m Karen Hutton and I’m a photographer. Slovenia. It’s this tiny country tucked away between Italy and Croatia. And it has this concentration of the most epic beauty and scenery and color. It’s autumn and it’s my first time here. Sometimes it’s a trail that I’ve never hiked. Sometimes it’s a country halfway around the world. A change in culture or language, or maybe it’s just the scenery. Experiencing a new place with fresh eyes is one of the most inspiring things that I do. It’s a new story. We’re in Piran, Slovenia this little seaside town right at the point. We’re starting here at the seaside and we’re gonna work our way up into the Alps, and I’m so excited to see this country. I love getting lost in the alleys. I love all the textures and the way the light bounces off the wall. I could get lost in these streets for hours all day. Photography has been a part of my family for a long time and part of my life since I can remember. As a kid I got all my mother’s hand-me-down cameras. I was fascinated by the magic of photography and how a single snap can bring back a whole afternoon. For me coming to Slovenia meant Lake Bled. We had to come here. It’s epic. It is picturesque. It is classic. It is so gorgeous here. As much as I talk about being in the moment I am a big believer in technique and knowing my gear. And it’s only through repetition and experience that that technique has become second nature and that along with trusting the gear I choose It frees me up to think less about dials and buttons and settings and more about what’s right in front of me. One of the reasons we came to Slovenia was the fall color. The particular shades and tones and ranges of colors – it’s unbelievable here. When I’m out shooting I can’t help but feel like the earth has this consciousness and that she expresses herself. And in the simplest terms, I guess I’m looking for those expressions. I experience these moments as a feeling in my gut or I’ll gasp or maybe I’ll hear it like this swelling of an orchestra. Whenever I come to a new place like this, I don’t just sit there and shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot. I actually have to stop and listen and take it in. I don’t always need my camera in front of my face. It’s a whole inner journey for me and it culminates with a photo but the whole experience is what I’m after. There’s so much beauty that fills our world and it comes in every shape and scale and texture. I am awestruck by amazing vistas and cityscapes but as a citizen of the earth I want to appreciate the smallest components as well as the grand design. Because I see photography as an extension of myself and my life experience I photograph the things that intrigue and fascinate me and I will continue to shoot those magical moments and unique experiences that fill me with love and awe. I am Karen Hutton and I’m a photographer.
Amazing. I visited Slovenia first time in July 1994. I fell in love with it, and I returned 2 times . The little Switzerland. And they too yodel. 1st like.
I really love Slovenia it is so great for photos ))
Beautiful
Great short film. Would have kept watching it for another 30 minutes if not longer :-). Get working on a longer film :-).
What a great movie. Congrats to your filmers and editors.
Great subject, great editing. What a wonderful project for all involved
Love this Karen! Well said 🙂
Amazing…..Thanks Smugmug !
Another Beauty Anton! And Karen is truly an amazing photographer.
That is just beautiful and inspiring. I would love to meet her one day
Top notch Smugmug, thanks for sponsoring the production. Karen has always been a favorite.
Beautiful and inspiring 😊
Enjoyed every minute! Fantastic presentation.
Gorgeous scenery, makes me want to travel to Slovenia!
great visuals and great narrative…
Topshit photograghry
wow.. just gorgeous work and narratives.. really moved
I have a question. How come this wasn't hosted and posted on SmugMug in 4K?
Absolute great Karen!
Stunning photography and great narration & music. Thanks for sharing
Excellent presentation.
Why are you using drones illegally – even in controlled airspace (CTR LJPZ) way above maximum height limit?
Very impressive – the location, the video, the photos.
Stunningly beautiful work as alway Karen! Wow!
Great touching story Karen! Looks really beautiful!
Hi Karen, miss your wonderful voice from the good ol days of Google Plus ( Doug Fresh ), great inspirations you have given to all of us thank you !!!
XLnt.
Wow Slovenia looks incredible. Great video guys
Beautiful!
Please, where is this Waterfall in Slovenien. We´re going to visit Slovenia in July-August. Thank you
Inspiring film and great photography.
Love this!!
Based on the photos shown toward the end of the video, I have no doubt that she is an extraordinary photographer. But, to be honest, it is the cinematography, including the drone work, and beautiful edit that did justice to the beauty of Slovenia. Thanks.
So good, I luv these SmugMug films, really well put together with great aerial footage too.Great photographer.
Love how they featured her through video…Made me smile deep inside! Thank You!
Absolutely amayzing and inspiring! Thank you so much Karen.
Photography is unfair. It's not a democracy, it's not for everyone, and it's a privilege not a right. Some people are fortunate to be gifted, and others have a life that affords them the time and income to pursue it. Gear is expensive, travel is expensive, classes and seminars are expensive. I wish I were good, I want to be good, I try to be good… but I'm not. Karen did a seminar in my area and I was dying to attend, but the cost was lightyears beyond my means. Seeing this was both inspirational and just a little depressing.
Wow, truly awesome. Thanks Anton, Karen, and SmugMug.
I feel sad for SmugMug Films ! such an awesome videos and so less views !! 🙁
Love the video. Another place on the bucket list. Great photography from Anton and Karen. Can't imagine who would downvote this video.
who knows what the song name is? wonderful
I like this video.poetic….
Mad props to cameraman. You're so amazingly great!
if you tube has allowed me to put dozens of likes, I would have done that!! amazing!! Thank you!
/// L i . K, e ..///////
Karen, you are definitely an inspiration 🙂 ! Wonderful photography and truly moving story of a photographer's emotions. THANK YOU 🙂
Great Pics!
They're so good they're bad
Breathtaking scenery. I can't really breathe.
Beautiful video. Thankyou.
Keep up the good work. I have followed Karen Hutton for a few years now for inspiration as I think her photography is amazing. And now I have inspiration of another sort in smugmug films. Would love to take a course from Karen one day and maybe one in videography as well from someone as talented as whoever made this as it is very well done.
epic! love it
This is just beautiful…i love u Hutton
Inspiring…what to go out there in nature more often..beautiful vid and work..thanks
Amazing…. and so beautiful