Kara Mercer sitting on a windowsill near two children looking out the window, with curtains and a radiator below them.

About Kara.

Kara Mercer is a commercial photographer and creative director specializing in interior, architectural, lifestyle, and travel photography. With over 20 years of experience behind the camera, she’s known for her refined editorial style, artful use of light, and ability to tell a story in a single frame.

Her work is deeply rooted in a love of design, natural texture, and honest storytelling. Whether shooting a quiet interior in the Pacific Northwest, creating branded content for a boutique hotel, or directing a short-form video campaign for a lifestyle brand, Kara brings calm direction, clarity of vision, and a collaborative spirit to every project.

Originally trained in visual communication and creative arts, Kara began her career capturing destination weddings and fashion campaigns before expanding her focus to commercial work. This experience informs her editorial eye and the emotional resonance that runs through her photography. Today, she works with interior designers, architects, hospitality groups, and lifestyle brands who value intentional design and timeless imagery.

Clients often describe Kara’s style as “light-filled,” “elegant,” and “emotionally grounded.” Her images are designed to live across platforms—from magazine spreads and lookbooks to social campaigns and website libraries—and always speak to the heart of the brand.

Kara is based in Seattle and regularly works in Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and beyond. She is available for travel throughout the United States and internationally.

Previous Clients

Adobe

Armadillo & Co.

Bellevue Lifestyle

Better Homes & Gardens

BluDot

Blundstone

British Airways

Bryr Studio

Caesarstone

Chandon

Citizens of Humanity

Cloudy Bay

Coclico

Conde Nast

Cultiver Goods

Cuyana

Domo Designs DK

Ebay

Everlane

Ferm Living

Filson

Fujfilm

Iams

Ilana Kohn

J. Crew

Kaarem

Larsson & Jennings

Madewell

Maserati

Matador Network

Miranda Bennett Studio

Olympia Coffee

Ona Bags

PostHotel

Room & Board

Seattle Polo Club

SIka Designs

Sorel

Stocksy

Suntory Whisky

Surya

Taylor Shellfish - Pacific Northwest

Tesla

United Airlines

Vereverto

Veuve Clicquot

Visit Alaska

Visit Austria

Visit Faroe Islands

Visit Jordan

Woud DK

Yield Designs

Zappos

Professional Achievements

Features & Publications


Photographer's FORUM Magazine
LUXE Magazine
ABC News
All Sorts Of
Medium Format Magazine
Living Ect Uk
Dwell
Jenni Kayne

Services


Commercial Photography & Video
Interior & Architecture Photography
Lifestyle Photography & Video
Product & Still life Photography
Corporate Photography
Studio Photography 
Creative Direction
One on One Mentoring 
Educator & Speaker

Speaking Engagements


Evolve Workshop 
Pixel Photo Fest
Way Up North 
PPE Fujfilm 
Adobe Creative Live
WPPI 
Fujifilm GFX launch 
B & H Optics 

If I made 
Fujifilm Festival 
Wanderers Conference
Prague Fujfilm Exhibition - Fashion Work Feature & Workshop 
Glazer's Workshop 
WonderPhoto NYC Workshop 
PCU Workshop Austin