Maker Spotlight: Kristina Smith

I'm very happy to welcome photographer Kristina Smith to the blog today! I love featuring photographers because their photos are, obviously, amazing + look great on the blog! Kristina has a totally different background + style to the photographers we have featured thus far (as you'll see below). I also encourage you to take a look at her website + Instagram page for more of Kristina's stunning work. Alternatively, if you like what you see, click here if you're interested in booking Kristina for a session. As you will read in her interview, Kristina is very recently exploring how to sell her work in print form so at the time of publishing we only have one of her prints in the shop. However, there is more on the horizon + I can't wait to see what this talented soul will put together (I know I personally am intrigued by her photography/embroidery artwork!). Read on for an interpretation of a professionally trained eye's experience in the industry!

Winter 2016

1. When did you first learn about your trade?

I think the first time I did a photoshoot was when I was around 10. I took a disposable camera + shot Barbies. I had them lined up in different poses, there may have been special appearances by stuffed animals as well. The photos turned out super professional + really fantastic...just kidding! They were so bad haha, but it was fun + that’s what counts. Between that time + the end of high school I didn’t really think TOO much about photography, but I eventually realized I’d always had an interest in it so I began teaching myself as much as possible from the internet + practicing with friends who would patiently pose as I practiced making portraits. After that point I studied photography at Ryerson University, which was a fantastic opportunity + learning experience as well as a lot of fun.

From "21st Century Cameos" Series

2. What do you love about Orillia?

I think the best parts for me are the slower pace + opportunity to be outdoors. I've recently developed a much bigger love for the outdoors than I’ve previously had + I'm happy to be able to enjoy my time here + take advantage of that versus being in the big city. Don't get me wrong though, I also love the city. They both have their pros + cons. I’ll add that I also like the community atmosphere you often find in a small town.

3. Why is it important to you to buy, support + shop locally?

I think it’s important to shop local + support your neighbours because overall, it helps everyone! I mean, there’s no shipping costs when you shop in your local community + there’s a lot more opportunity to find a connection + friend when you have the chance to meet the person/people behind what you’ve purchased. If I’m being the most honest though, I always think of it like this…I want people to support me, so I support them. It’s that simple. If I hope for people to buy my work or hire me I need to be doing the same for them. What goes around comes around.

Rainy Days product still life 2015

4. When has a moment of 'failure' led to an opportunity for you?

When I was applying to university, one of the areas I wanted to study was Interior Design. Part way through the acceptance process I was waitlisted which was disappointing but that’s what led me to choosing to study photography. I am very happy I was unsuccessful at getting into that Interior Design program + was accepted into the photography one. So here I am! It made the choice much easier when I wasn’t deciding between two different programs I was interested in. Not making it into the interior design course helped me realize how much I really did want to continue my education in photography.

Lyon, 2015

5. Are you hoping to make your photography a full time job?

That is definitely my goal, right now it’s not full time but it slowly builds which has been good. I would also be interested in pursuing a related field, like art direction, photo propping/styling, or photo editing. Ideally at this moment in time I am most interested in creative still life, meaningful (or at least thoughtful) portraits + the new topographics style of landscape photography.

Senior girls team photo 2015

6. How did you get to where you are? What has your journey been like?

Practice + school, I know some people say you don't need to go to school for creative fields, but everyone's different. For me school was a great experience (I studied Photography at Ryerson University + completely recommend it!). It was definitely a huge part of my creative development into the artist that I am today. I was able to learn so much + challenge myself while being surrounded by my peers who were amazingly talented + a great bunch of people. It's awesome to see them now + what they've been up to since we graduated.

From “Office Attire” series

7. What’s your favourite thing or the best part about what you do?

I think for me the best part of being a photographer is the opportunities it grants me to meet new people + go places I may not otherwise get to. I once did a little project on some cafes in Toronto + had to search out all these independent coffee shops + their owners, ask them if they’d be interested in being a part of my project, then schedule all these photoshoots with strangers in very busy, public places where I often didn’t have a lot of time to get what I needed to get done, done. Part of the reason I decided to even do that project was to specifically challenge myself because I knew it wouldn’t be easy, I’m so glad I did. Photography often grants me the opportunity to step out of my comfort zone.

Amanda 2013/2016

8. What has been your biggest challenge so far?

Staying creative, keeping up with making new work + trying to make tangible objects, like photobooks. I have a serious love for the art of the photobook. I’ve been working on some for the past few years so I’d love to finally produce a small one to start (meaning, print more than one copy like I’ve done in the past). Finding the inspiration, motivation, time + creative energy to finish a long term project like that is often hard, but definitely worth it. When I find myself challenged to come up with new ideas or make new photographs I find it helpful to step away + focus on something else like music, getting outside or being active in some way, or trying my hand at a different kind of art like drawing... something I need practice at to distract my thoughts + bring me back to a clear place where I can begin to come up with what I think are decent ideas again.

From “[UN]FAMILIAR” series & book

9. What are 3 things on your bucket list?

I don’t really have a bucket list, but I do have some things in the back of my mind that I would like to do, here are a few:

1. I’d like to visit Ireland, New Zealand, Iceland, the Yukon + British Columbia.

2. Shoot more film (especially instant and 4x5)

3. Embrace the adventurous opportunities that come my way!

BITE 2015

10. Where or how would you recommend someone interested in your trade start?

In your own backyard, with the people you have access to (ie, your friends, family, peers, etc) if you love it, you’ll want to practice, so just keep doing that. Practice makes progress! It’s the best way. Learning about light is also important. The more you can experiment with that, the more creative you can become + more in control you can be with your images. I like the saying about how you have to learn the rules before you can break them. Definitely break the rules of photography, that’s what it’s all about, but know what you’re doing while you’re at it.

Josh & bright light, 2016

11. What resources did or do you find helpful?

Other photographers, the internet, websites that curate images that I specifically have an interest in (ie anotherplacemag.tumblr.com). Real life workshops where you can actually create something by the time you leave. The most useful resource though I think is having people available to critique your work + getting meaningful comments from them, then being able to listen to it, apply it when it’s relevant + improve because of it.

From “Embroidered” series

12. What are 3 things you wish people knew about your products?

This question was hard! I’m not really sure what to say, so I’ll go with this:

1. Some of my photos are very real images with little photoshop involved + some of them are image composites made up of many different images.

2. Some of my photography involves a handmade element after it’s been printed (like painting or embroidery).

3. I have trouble putting a price on + selling some of the images I’ve made that have a more personal connection to me because it’s hard to put a monetary value on something of sentimental value.

Thank you for your candor Kristina! It was wonderful getting to learn more about your journey. Remember to check out more of Kristina's work on Instagram, as well as here + here.

#Artist #Artisan #SupportLocal #Series #Photography