Meet The Stories That Form Us Guest Kara Dunn
Kara Dunn is the creative force behind Déjà Revél Fine Art Boudoir, a photography studio rooted in self expression and reflecting women back to themselves. In this episode of The Stories That Form Us, Amy and Kara sit down in person to talk about what it really means to build a brand from the inside out, having done so themselves together with Déjà Revél. Their conversation moves through motherhood, boudoir photography, mentorship, and the importance of creating spaces where women feel both powerful and seen.
Where the conversation led us was less about Kara’s career milestones and more about the energy she brings into every room she walks into. In everything she does, he’s redefining what it means to feel at home in your body, your creativity, and your work.
A Few Themes That Rose to the Surface:
Branding is rooted in clarity and transformation
From Midnight Sun Boudoir to Déjà Revél, Kara’s evolution was a reclamation of voice and vision. One shaped by her desire to create a space where women can step into their power. The more she aligned with her truth, the more magnetic her brand became. Her new name, meaning “already revealed,” captures the essence of what she offers: a reflection of what’s always been there, now seen clearly.
It was extra special because Kara wasn’t hiring me to create something out of thin air. She was asking me to do what she does for her clients—to hold up a mirror and show her the depth that was already there. More on that here.
Vulnerability is part of the process
Whether it’s standing behind the camera or in front of it, Kara knows that true transformation happens when you’re willing to be seen. Her sessions go beyond photoshoots to be reflective, empowering experiences designed to help her clients walk away feeling more like themselves. Her studio has become a mirror, a soft place to land, a space to be fully witnessed.
Mentorship and motherhood shape the creative journey
With seven kids at home and a growing business, Kara navigates the balance of being a multifaceted entrepreneur with three businesses while remaining deeply rooted. Her openness about the mess, the magic, and the many versions of herself in this season is a powerful reminder that growth doesn’t have to look perfect to be meaningful. She’s also expanding her reach through Redefining Your Biz, a mentorship space she created with her husband, where they offer professional mentorship, structure, and insight for entrepreneurs of all industries.
Through the Lens of Story
At Unbridled Form, I believe that your brand—and your life—is shaped by the stories you carry, the ones you’re still discovering, and the ones you feel called to live into. Kara’s story is a portrait of evolution, of honoring the many roles we hold and the ways we grow through them. Déjà Revél is the beautiful result of her clarity, her creativity, and her unwavering care for the people she serves.
When Kara came to me for brand strategy and design, she already knew exactly who she was as an artist. Her work was layered, transformative, deeply human. Her clients raved about the way she made them feel, about how they saw themselves in ways they never had before.
But her brand? It wasn’t reflecting that depth.
Her old brand, Midnight Sun Boudoir, was functional but disconnected. It was built around where she used to be, not where she was going. The colors, the website flow, the client experience—it wasn’t wrong, but it wasn’t her. So we explored the deeper story that was being embodied in her brand, mapping out the energy Kara wanted her brand to embody and the feeling she wanted to evoke in her clients.
If you want to explore more of Déjà Revél’s world, you can read this post on our full collaboration. It dives deeper into the brand strategy process, the visual and emotional transformation, and the impact that owning her story had on Kara’s business: Transformation in Branding: How Déjà Revél Transformed Its Story and Client Experience.
The Stories That Form Us
The Stories That Form Us is a podcast about the narratives shaping our creative work, our brands, and the way we move through the world. It’s also a production of Unbridled Form—a brand strategy and design studio devoted to helping entrepreneurs and creatives tell the story only they can tell. Through story-led branding, artistic design, and websites that feel like home, we help you uncover what’s already true—and build from there.
Know someone whose story should be told? Apply or nominate a guest here.
Curious about building a brand rooted in storytelling and resonance? Explore Unbridled Form.
