Today we’d like to introduce you to Krista Reynolds.
Hi Krista, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
When I was in the 4th grade, we had to choose a passion of ours to present to our class. We had a few months to complete this project so I took to working on it right away. I wanted to photograph my favorite animals, Horses in Black and White. We had this family friend that ha a dozen horses that I could just never get enough of. My favorite was a White Mare with Black spots that was names Cappuccino! After photographing him all on my own, getting the film back and setting up my tag board for my 4th grade class, I was in love! From there I took every class I could in High school and College that had to do with art and photography. I couldn’t get enough of the dark rooms, and just simply creating. I then went on to get married and as a gift my soon to be husband got me a nice camera at the time and said, “Give it a shot, what do you have to loss?” So as embarrassing as this is now. I posted an add on Craigslist looking for a job as a beginner wedding photographer and someone actually hired me to capture their day! I still have their wedding photo in my office to keep me grounded. That was in 2007. From there I went on to shadowing other photographers and capturing families, weddings, newborns and seniors for the 3 years. While also working a full time job, I started a website and gained as much knowledge as I could. Attending workshops and doing side jobs for free just to shoot.
In 2010, our first daughter was born, after going back to work for two weeks… I called my husband and I told him that I put my notice in. I was going to run my business full-time and stay home with our daughter. We made it work! I made a choice to not let fear of failure hold me back. I could always go back to the full-time 9-5 if needed. But I had to take a chance… that was 12 years ago! I still pinch myself when I remember that I have been my own boss for the past 12 years. I have traveled all over to photograph events and weddings, I have won numerous awards and been featured in multiple magazines. But my favorite thing about my story is the fact that I got to be with all three of our kids and do what I love full time.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
In the beginning, my biggest obstacle was wanting growth to happen FAST! I wanted it so bad! But business growth that happens fast typically leads to burnout. Or so I’ve heard. So looking back now I am thankful for my slow growth. Another big challenge in my personal and professional life was that in October of 2019 I was diagnosed with stage 4 Breast Cancer. This came as a very BIG shock to me and my family. And honestly, to everyone in our circle. The diagnoses left a lot of questions unanswered. And I wasn’t able to focus on my business at that time. I had to take care of me and my family. I was so thankful for clients who fully understood and that the timing of all my surgeries worked out so that I didn’t have to miss one single wedding!!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a full time photographer and creative.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I love what I do and the people that I get to meet and work with. The energy it brings me is truly life giving.
Contact Info:
- Email: kristareynoldsphotography@gmail.com
- Website: www.kristareynoldsphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristareynolds.photography/
Image Credits
Crystal Blackledge Photography
Willow & Wren
