CAPTURING
MOMENTS —
TELLING
STORIES
My work is an invitation to return to a memory.
Photography is a complex equation of light, color, posing, and wardrobe- but it is also so much more than that. Each photograph has the power to transport you back to an emotion, to remind you how it felt in the moment. If I do my job well, no one sees the equation; they only sense the emotion. I've studied photography for 15 years, worked in a wide variety of locations around the world and, after all of that, I know that making a photograph look "effortless" takes practice, experience, and a steady hand. In addition, when working with people who aren't used to being in front of the camera, it requires a sense of compassion and empathy for people and their situations. I've spent the last 15 years building a beautiful studio, a great client experience, and a strong portfolio, all of which I continually refine to ensure I offer you the very best.
There are many photographers who know the equation for a photograph but far fewer who love to work with people the way I do. My superpower is helping my clients feel comfortable in front of the camera, posing them in a way that is authentic to their vision, and holding their insecurities with compassion.
If you are looking for something more than a nice snapshot, wanting to create something beautiful and meaningful, please reach out. I'd love to learn more about your vision!
"KARISSA CAPTURES THE LIGHT WITHIN FRAME after FRAME after FRAME. I ACTUALLY SEE MYSELF DIFFERENTLY NOW. I SAW BEAUTY THAT DAY and IT WAS MY OWN.
— Dana, headshot client
ABOUT
THE ARTIST
I’m Karissa. Photographer. Traveler. Wife & mother. I use my photography to connect people with the inherent beauty and strength within themselves and the world around them.
I've always been amazed by the power of a photograph to connect us- to a memory, a story, a place, and perhaps especially to the people in our lives who are no longer here. In my kitchen, I have photographs of my grandmother cooking. In my living room are photos of my own family and the memories we made through the years. I have beautiful canvases of professional photos I had taken while we were all on vacation hanging on the walls and I have snapshots of myself as a kid in albums. Each of these tell part of my family's story. My kids are all in college and beyond now and I love living with the memories around me everyday. These are the moments I live to capture—the ones that prove style is eternal, emotion is universal, and the human spirit, in all its glamour and grit, is the most beautiful subject of all.
My background in marketing and design shapes everything I create—I’m drawn to clean lines, timeless composition, and the subtle choreography that turns candid moments into something cinematic. My work has been featured in a variety of media, and my photographs are held in private collections around the world. My photographs are recognized for their balance of simplicity and the warmth of genuine emotion.
xo,Karissa
WHAT WE STAND ON (AND STAND FOr)
01
CHOCOLATE is BASICALLY A BUSINESS EXPENSE
02
QUICK, CURIOUS, PLAYFUL and STRONG
03
YOU'LL FIND A WAY or FIND AN EXCUSE
04
PEOPLE REMEMBER HOW YOU MAKE THEM feel
05
PASSPORT STAMPS > ALL OTHER PLANS
06
CHAMPAGNE and POTATO CHIPS
FROM the
HIGHLIGHT REEL
A few of my favorite people, places, and memories!
marrying my love!
in Paris
our sweet pup
my kids
on the job in Paris
I'm happiest in Paris. Left Bank. Always.
i splurge on art, accessories & beautiful flowers.
ABOUT THE BRAND
Founded by Karissa Van Tassel in 2009, the vision for KVT Photography is steeped in the beauty of a single moment, the romance of a traveler, and the exquisite light of slow sunsets. These photographs aren’t just images; they are heirlooms—snapshots of joy, intimacy, and style that will be cherished across generations.
