Krista is an energetic personality with an artist’s soul. She is passionate about capturing real emotions and special moments. Doing that, she uses her unbridled creativity in her business, Photos by Krista, which leads to the most amazing pictures. She is the perfect person to hire for your special occasion, wedding, or other event here in Sayulita.
Krista, can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I am an adventurer and very energetic at heart. Traveling and photography have always been my greatest passions. I love to be active and fit, and I abide much of my free time with yoga, biking, and swimming. I love working with and meeting new people.
Was there anything specific you can remember that made you want to become a photographer?
I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to live in Barcelona, Spain, where I worked as a fashion model for a few years. I learned so much about photography from being on the other side of the camera, and in working with movement and making sure there was energy in the eyes. This knowledge I now use in my own shootings. With continued travels in places such as Europe and Brazil, and utilizing old film cameras and manual 50mm 1.2 lenses, I was absolutely hooked on photography. Since then I pursued more education on photography in Vancouver and Winnipeg, and I attended workshops in Los Angeles and Las Vegas with well-known wedding photographers Mike Colon and Jasmine Starr. Additionally, I took a workshop with Dixie Dixon in the Bahamas. They have taught me so much in the world of fashion and wedding photography!
What draws you to wedding and lifestyle photography?
It is so rewarding and exciting to be able to capture such momentous occasions in people's lives and the emotions that come with it. To be able to record that moment, that expression and those memories for a lifetime to cherish is something that never ceases to bring me such tremendous joy. The cherry on top is people's excitement when they see their pictures for the first time!
How important is fashion and art to your career?
Art is so important. I started as a film photographer and took courses at the Emily Carr Institute of Art in Vancouver, which had an incredible impact on how I learned to visualize my work. I love simplicity in photos, and I especially love the old photographs from the seventies-era that are such raw, true forms of art. I am also inspired by fashion photography, since I strive to constantly do something new. Fashion photography has such a dynamic range in compositions and positioning.
What do you like most about your professional life?
Shooting destination weddings is an absolute dream for me. I love to travel and I am passionate about my career. Shooting with the unique attributes of a particular destination, such as the light and colors, the vegetation, architecture, and the people is the best treat to me. Combine that with photographing a gorgeous bride and groom radiating happiness, and I am on top of the world. Sayulita is my favorite destination! The colors, the light, the people, and the vibe here in Sayulita are unreal.
You seem to have the ability to make people relax in front of your camera. How do you achieve this?
I love working with people and hearing their stories. Spending time listening and getting to know people is so important while shooting. Most of the time we are moving, talking, smiling, or laughing while we find that great place when boom! Suddenly there are those real beautiful, candid expressions. Love!
With your business Photos by Krista, you do both wedding and lifestyle photography. What kind of projects have you worked on?
Over the years, I have shot many weddings in Canada, Mexico, Cuba, and Jamaica. I loved every moment, and I am so grateful for all the wonderful experiences and clients I have had over the years. So many of my clients are returning customers that I still work with today and continue shooting their pregnancies, newborns, families, etc. A lifetime of memories! Beyond the wedding and lifestyle photography, I shoot commercial work and events as well. I am a proud indigenous woman and tend to shoot a lot of indigenous related events for our Canadian Museum of Human Rights as well as events for our national CBC news. It is a wonderful thing to diversify my work and always keep it interesting and exciting.
You can contact Krista through her Sayulita Life Page. She is available to shoot your wedding, special occasion, family gathering, or fashion portfolio here in Sayulita and the surrounding area.
Written By: Inge Poell