Karlene Proctor seated on a stool in natural light, Canon camera resting on her knee

Behind the lens

Karlene Proctor, Photographer. Lower Sackville, NS

Karlene sitting backwards on a vintage wooden chair, smiling with camera in hand
My Story

I had no idea
what I wanted.

I was always drawn to artsy things: physically active, creative, restless. It wasn't until the middle of grade twelve that I started looking into photography schools. I looked all the way out to Kelowna, BC, then chickened out and chose the campus right here in Halifax, the Centre for Arts and Technology.

After graduation I slowly started building a client base while working part-time retail. I quickly realized the business side wasn't exactly where I thrived. I just wanted to be behind a camera, capturing moments people would hold onto forever. That part came naturally.

My goal after every session is that we've built enough of a bond that I get the privilege of seeing you in front of my lens again. If friendships come out of it, I consider myself blessed. Based in Lower Sackville. Shooting all of Atlantic Canada and beyond.

Work with me →
Philosophy
“Natural with a hit of moody.
Candid over posed, always.”

Karlene Proctor

I'm not interested in stiff poses or forced smiles. I want the real moments. The laugh that surprised you, the quiet look between two people, the in-between second that no one else caught. That's where the best images live.

Career

From grade twelve
to behind the lens

  1. Grade 12

    The decision

    Looked into photography schools all the way out to Kelowna, BC. Ended up choosing the Centre for Arts and Technology right here in Halifax. Best chickening-out decision I ever made.

  2. School

    Centre for Arts & Technology

    Studied photography in Halifax. Fell headfirst into the craft: light, composition, storytelling. Everything I do today traces back to what clicked for me there.

  3. After grad

    Building a client base

    Started booking sessions while working part-time retail. The business side was a learning curve. The camera side? That came from the heart.

  4. Growing

    Families, couples, weddings

    Word spread. Families, couples, and wedding clients found me and kept coming back. That repeat relationship is everything to me.

  5. Recently

    Atlantic Canada & beyond

    Covered a wedding in Regina, SK. Just getting started. Based in Lower Sackville, available wherever the right session takes me.

  6. Now

    Still chasing the moments

    Solo, passionate, and still obsessed with the candid shot that no one expected. Taking bookings for weddings, families, couples, and everything in between.

How I Work

My photography
philosophy

These are the things I hold onto on every shoot, whether it's a family session in the park or a full wedding day across the province.

  1. 01

    Candid over posed

    The moments people treasure most were never planned. I stay present and ready for the real thing, not the rehearsed version.

  2. 02

    Natural with a hit of moody

    My editing style is consistent: warm, natural, grounded, with just enough mood to make an image feel like it means something.

  3. 03

    You should feel at ease

    Most people say they hate being photographed. Most of my clients forget the camera is there. Making you comfortable is half the job.

  4. 04

    Bring your pets

    Seriously. My ideal session includes the whole family, fur included. Pets bring out the best, most genuine moments.

  5. 05

    Unique locations matter

    I love finding a spot that feels like you. Not the same park bench everyone else uses. Let's find somewhere that means something.

  6. 06

    This is about connection

    I hope every client becomes a repeat client, maybe even a friend. If I've earned the privilege of seeing you in front of my lens again, I've done my job.

Bride and groom sharing the first bite of cake at their reception, tattooed and laughing
Let’s work together

Ready when you are.

Tell me what you have in mind. I'd love to hear about you before we even talk about booking. That's how I do my best work.