Hi! I’m Kristen.

Nice to meet you! I have a chocolate labrador named Kenya + I still live with my mom… with my husband + I love to travel + I lived in Cambodia for 5 months + I’ve been to 20 different countries (which isn’t many, if you really think about it). I would say that my passion for travel and culture is the reason you’re even reading this right now. Without it, I would have never touched a DSLR. I literally got to the point where if I didn’t have something to capture the beauty of diversity, I would go crazy.

I currently live in Tennessee and have been here for just over ten years, but I’m originally from Georgia. I’m not one of those people who held a camera since the day I was born. I literally picked one up for the first time a year and a half ago. Photography just sort of interrupted my life midway through my master’s program, but hey, you gotta finish what you start. So, here I am, with a graduate degree in school counseling, searching for a job and also how photography fits into my future. I know where I want it to go… it’s just about getting there. And it’s definitely going to happen.

Let’s get one thing straight: I am not a photographer. I’ve tried to come up with other things to call myself: “picture taker”, “creative photojournalist”, “moment capturer”, but they all sound equally lame. Basically, I am a hobbyist trying to expand my knowledge and learn the tricks of the trade so that one day, maybe I will be able to call myself a photographer and feel justified doing so. Thankfully, I’ve been given this fantastic opportunity to intern with LeahAndMark, and I’m super duper excited about it!

Some mini tid bits about me: I eat peanut butter almost every day. I love to hug. I am always happy, unless I have a headache. I love baking, helping people, inspiring youth and children, exercising, wine, Mexican food, playing games (Settlers of Catan is my newest interest), anything outdoors, and the two men in my life: my husband Andrew and Kenya. I believe in the power of love languages because I enjoy making people feel loved, and everyone experiences it differently.

As for photography – I’m trying to develop my style. I think you’ll see in the progression of my blogs that I’m figuring it out. I like all things unique, especially unique people. There is nothing more beautiful than a room full of people who look nothing alike. To me, the most important element of photography is defining my client’s personality. I want my pictures to speak what they love, feel and think. Individuality is a special thing, and I enjoy expounding on that as much as possible.

Thanks for taking the time to read my bio. I hope you find my internship experience as thrilling as I do! Feel free to comment on my blogs (the good, bad and the ugly!) as much as possible!

XOXO,

Kristen