Oh my, where to start? :) My name is Kristina and I was born and raised in Orlando, FL. I lived there until I went off to college just a hop, skip and a jump away in Tampa at the University of South Florida. I graduated there with a Business degree in Management and a minor in Psychology. Shortly after graduation, I, with my fiance and two dogs, packed up and moved to Atlanta, GA. We love it here, it is such a change and a welcome one at that!
Now onto the relevant stuff! ;)
Photography! Ever since I was little I've loved taking pictures. I would always confiscate the digital camera from my dad on family trips and document anything and everything around me (until the memory cards-- err floppy discs at the time! wow digital cameras have come a long way~) were full. I'd quickly download them and start shooting again. I got my own camera as a present from my dad and it was all over from there. It was a point and shoot, and lived in my purse to conveniently snap any random pictures that I thought priceless from my every day life, hanging out with friends, and my travels. My next point and shoot was better and did more, as was/did the next two following them. I acquired so many pictures, and to this day, still go back through and am so glad I had my camera with me along for the ride to take me back to the moments I may have otherwise forgotten.
Whilst talking on the phone to my dad many months ago, we were talking about jobs and careers, since he has had the same job for decades and knew what it was like to have a career path, I took what he said to heart. He told me I needed to find a job/career that I would still love 35 years down the line. I laughed. Is that possible? I'm 25, how would I know what I wanted to be doing when I'm 60?? I thought long and hard about this, going over all my passions and previous jobs. I called him back a few days later to proclaim to him that I knew what I was going to do. During those few days, I tried to think of something that made me happy. Something that doesn't get old and lose my attention. Something that I could grow into a career and business that I'd be proud of. Since you're on this website now, I think you can guess what I told him (grin).
My mind was set, and now all I had to do was get a professional camera and learn the ins and outs of real photography. I started with a trip to the bookstore and for the next couple hours went through all the books related to photography and digital cameras. I asked for advice from several photographers I met through modeling and other friends I knew that had chosen photography as a hobby of theirs. My birthday was a few days later and low and behold, my wonderful fiance had gotten me the book I was raving about. Now I'm not really a book reader. I like reading, but my attention span kind of dwindles when it comes to sitting down and doing nothing but read for a long period of time. I get hungry. I get anxious and need to move around. I feel like I need to do.. well, anything else. This was not the case for this book, as I finished it in 2 sittings. It would have been one, but I had to go to work.. :)
I went to a class about digital photography, researched cameras for countless hours, and having finished 3 more books, felt I was ready to test the waters. When I got my camera, I'm not gonna lie, my house, birthday bouquets, dogs, neighborhood, it all became my inspiration. I've never been so inspired and appreciative of all the little (and big) things around me. I shot thousands of pictures, for 2 weeks straight I couldn't put the camera down, it brought me so much joy and provided me the creative freedom that my point and shoot cameras did not. Next, people. Luckily, I live with one, while very unsuspecting, encouraging person. A small bribe later, I was driving to a park, camera in tow, and fiance in the passenger seat. This was the beginning of the rest of my photography career.
Since then, I've shot a wedding, and have another few planned to shoot, several engagement shoots, a ton of models, a handful of musicians, and even a local band's concert. I have found my way onto twitter, facebook, and numerous other networking sites. It's all like a dream. I am so glad I had that conversation with my dad that really gave me the push to follow my heart. I can't wait to grow my business and I can't imagine doing anything else for the next 35 years...
