Dalen Cuff is a sports broadcaster currently working for CBS Sports and Sirius XM. Previously, Dalen was at ESPN for 9 years covering a multitude of sports in various roles including hosting SportsCenter. Prior to that, Dalen spent 4 years at NBC Sports highlighted by covering the 2016 Rio Olympics. Since 2022, Dalen has become involved in American Cancer Society initiatives and has hosted events all over the country. He lost his Father in 2012 to cancer and does whatever possible to aid American Cancer Society’s mission “To End Cancer As We Know It For Everyone”

MATTHEW FRIEDMAN was “The Piano Man” in the National Touring Company of Billy Joel and Twyla Tharp’s Tony Award-winning musical, MOVIN’ OUT, and played to critical acclaim all over the U.S., Canada and Japan. He has also manned the “Billy Joel” chair for the legendary LORDS OF 52ND STREET, Billy’s original recording and touring band, and performed as Billy Joel and Elton John in the original stage production, THE FOUR PIANO MEN, produced by the Palace Theater in Manchester, NH. Matthew is a Broadway veteran, having been a part of the orchestra for JERSEY BOYS and SMOKEY JOE’S CAFE. As bandleader/musical director of Matthew Friedman & Stiletto, he performs a mix of rock, pop, Top 40, Motown, R&B and the American Songbook. And for the last decade, Matthew has entertained audiences around the country as part of the Dueling Pianos world. He also has a Juris Doctor from Hofstra Law School- which he never uses except as a wall decoration

The Sharpe Family Singers, comprising Ron, Barb, and their children, are a talented ensemble with Broadway roots, known for their viral social media presence and acclaimed performance on America’s Got Talent. Their captivating harmonies and modern charm make them a must-see act.

J.R. Ramirez was born in Matanzas, Cuba. When he was still a baby, his family moved to the States and he was raised in Tampa, Florida.

J.R. is best known for his series regular role as “Jared Vasquez” on the Netflix (formerly NBC) hit series MANIFEST, executive produced by Robert Zemeckis (2018-2023). Prior to that, he was a series regular on the second season of the Netflix hit Marvel’s JESSICA JONES (2018) and portrayed beloved fan favorite “Julio Moreno” on four seasons of Starz’s top hit series POWER, which musician 50-Cent executive produces (2014-17).

Previously, J.R. starred as “Cal” in the Paramount Pictures comedy feature film DRUNK WEDDING, executive produced by John Hamburg (2015). In addition, he recurred as “Ted ‘Wildcat’ Grant” on CW’s top-rated show ARROW (2014-15) and as “Dr. A.J. Aquino” on the CW dramedy EMILY OWENS, M.D. (2013). He first gained notoriety as “Diego Hernandez” on Tyler Perry’s HOUSE OF PAYNE, in which he recurred for two seasons (2008-10).

J.R. is fluent in English and Spanish. He loves the outdoors and is an avid hiker, golfer, tennis & basketball player. He’s a passionate perfectionist and, when not working in New York, he calls Tampa and Los Angeles home. A home that wouldn’t be complete without his Havanese-Schnauzer rescue dog, Freddy.

Evan Jonigkeit is an American actor and producer, born February 18, 1983, in Langhorne, Pennsylvania. Known for roles in X-Men: Days of Future Past and Bone Tomahawk, he transitioned to acting from baseball after a scholarship injury at Temple University led him to discover theater. Jonigkeit has also starred in television series like Sweetbitter and Easy.

Hi, I’m Karen Pena, and I’ve always been that friend — the one with the camera in hand, ready to capture the moment. Whether it was my Harajuku Lovers perfume collection lined up for my lens or taking color-isolated pics of my friends and family for my extensive Facebook albums, I took pride in being the historian of my crew. And, as a proud Colombian-American, raised between two cultures, two countries, and endless summers spent with family by the beach, I loved bringing those memories home with me in the form of photos. My love for connection, community, and storytelling runs deep. It’s who I am. I didn’t know it back then, but those snapshots were planting the seeds for my future career.

My path to claiming the title of “photographer” wasn’t a straight line. There were seasons when my camera collected dust as I battled depression and toxic work environments that threatened to extinguish my creative spark. After a situationship that had me driving way too many miles on the Jersey Turnpike and later a nasty separation from a job where I was set up to fail, I returned to my creative roots: writing and photography. I made the decision to bet on myself. Everything changed as I felt my creative mind begin to churn. I was finally myself again.

I realized these are — and always have been my anchors. They’ve helped me heal and reconnect with who I truly am. And through them, I’ve learned that photography is about so much more than just taking pictures. It’s about connection. It’s about creating space for people to feel comfortable, empowered, and truly seen. Which is exactly what I do with my business now.

I’m not here for stiff poses or forced smiles. I live for the in-between moments: the laughter that bursts out unexpectedly, the soft glances, the candid snapshots of who you really are. My sensitivity — something I once thought of as a weakness — has become my superpower. It helps me hold space for my clients, allowing them to show up as their full selves. And when they do? That’s when the magic happens.

After more than a decade of documenting life, I finally decided to make this my business, with Captured by Karen.  I walked into my first photography meetup with nothing but a borrowed camera and my heart beating out of my chest. I left knowing I was exactly where I was meant to be. Since then, I’ve continued to step into creative spaces, collaborate with models, and tell stories through my lens.

I bring all of that — my experience, my empathy, my passion—to every session.

When you work with me, we collaborate. I don’t just show up and snap photos — I take the time to get to know you. Together, we create a shared mood board, pulling together inspiration and vision so that when you step in front of my lens, it feels like you. Whether you want to celebrate a new chapter, document your family, or simply capture a moment in time, I’m here to help you feel empowered, confident, and seen.

Because this isn’t just about photos. It’s about memories that last. It’s about celebrating you.