Meet Krista Johnston

Today we’d like to introduce you to Krista Johnston.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Krista. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I grew up in Quebec, Canada but we moved around a lot. I went to a few schools, to say the least, but the one consistent thing was Art in our family. Many different forms of Art. My grandparents had Antique Stores, my grandmother would make dried flower baskets, my grandfather repaired and finished furniture, my aunt painted, and my mother was into interior design. I liked to draw and paint, but I wasn’t great at it.

I remember always seeming to have those disposable cameras around and I loved them. I’d take pictures all the time and get them developed. I loved trying to pose my friends or myself. I guess you could say that was the original selfie but without the instant gratification of seeing it right away or filters. Ha!

At 19, I moved to Southern California and had my first SLR Camera. It was still film at that time. I moved on to taking photographs of nature. It was everywhere and the easiest of models.

I then moved to Phoenix at 20 and enrolled in Scottsdale Community College and took black and white film Photography 101. It pushed me to take images and learn the correct exposure and framing of objects. Then we had to develop our own film in the class dark room. That was an interesting process and it was beautiful to see your images develop right in front of your eyes.

At 27, I had my daughter and had purchased a Digital SLR camera. I took pictures of her all the time and our dogs. A couple of years later, I took my first photography workshop and my world changed. I didn’t realize that people could be a photographer for a living. They always say do what you love. Ever since then, I continue to educate myself and practice. Learning new things all the time.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I don’t think any creative person has an easy path. People are more likely to take traditional paths and creative careers are a lot more difficult to pursue, but I see now that it is becoming easier and easier for us to get out there. Especially with social media.

A major challenge for me has been confidence. As I was learning and still am, it is hard to not judge yourself for every mistake you make. It is extremely hard to not compare yourself to others, but you have to keep taking baby steps forward. Also, putting yourself out there and letting people know you are available to work with.

Please tell us about Krista Johnston Portraits.
I am a portrait photographer! I specialize in beautiful, magazine-style portraits for amazing women who want to celebrate themselves as well as be captured with their loved ones. This is an internal transformation, not just a makeover. I embrace your authentic beauty.

I am currently focusing on having women exist in photographs. I have a huge period of my life where I don’t have any photos of myself. It is about a 10-year gap. I wish I had taken more photos so I could show my kids. It is important to have these images as we age and experience life. You are good enough to be in a family portrait. You are good enough to be photographed with your kids. You are good enough to exist in photographs. You must celebrate your life. I don’t care how fat you think you are; I don’t care how old you think you are. My job, as a portrait photographer, is to take the most beautiful photograph you have ever seen of yourself so that you can cherish this for the rest of your life.

Besides my kids, I am most proud of continuing to pursue my passion, my calling and my future within photography.

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
My current plans for the future are to keep dreaming BIG and to keep learning.

I am looking forward to the day I have my dream studio where I can create and help women see themselves how everyone else around sees them.

Pricing:

• Session Fee is $250 and includes Hair & Makeup
• Individual Portraits start at $275
• Portfolio Packages start at $1200

Contact Info:

• Website: www.krista-johnston.com
• Phone: 602-790-8896
• Email: krista@krista-johnston.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristajohnstonportraits/
• Other: https://www.pinterest.com/kristajohnstonportraits/

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