FOUR FULL YEARS OF KRYSTA NORMAN PHOTOGRAPHY

It’s been a hell of a ride friends. It’s still hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that this little business that I created is still here and growing.

I’m sharing my journey to today, June 30, 2018.

Let’s take it way back though to 2003 where I took my very first black + white 35mm film class as a senior in high school. I loved that class and the teacher who, oddly enough turned out to be another wildly talented photographer in the area, Michelle Lieb. She was such a thoughtful and encouraging teacher, pushing me to experiment in class and really learn my camera. There was an additional Photography 2 class coming up the next semester that I begged my parents to let me take but I couldn’t. The reality was 4 daughters all in middle + high school and college just a few months away they couldn’t afford it. So I took a break from photography and went on to college. I did however keep a print that I made in that Photography 1 class from a field trip in Remington. The first piece of work I was officially proud of, that Grandma Jean held on to for 15 years.

Fast forward to 2012 and I landed my dream job, working for a print+ publishing company called Piedmont Press & Graphics/Piedmont Lifestyle Publications. Tony + Holly Tedeschi the husband and wife duo who took me in to manage their publications. It was here that I was given the confidence to continue to write but also explore photography again. The magazine needed better photographs to support the articles we were including, especially since the magazines were focused on local businesses, people and places. We all felt strongly that using stock imagery wouldn’t connect with the readership. Tony introduced me to Sunny Reynolds another talented local photographer who also leads small group tours to exotic places around the world. <insert photography wanderlust>

At this point I had purchased an introductory Nikon D3100 and could not for the life of me remember how to use it on manual. That’s where Sunny came in. She worked with me closely to help me understand aperture, shutter speed and iso. She also gave me assignments to complete each week, and actually now that I think about it there are probably 2 still outstanding. She was so incredibly inspirational when I was beginning. I could ask her questions and get answers without fear of feeling stupid.

Fast forward a year and I’m still working at Piedmont Lifestyle Publications and we are in need of a graphic designer to help design advertisements and also work on page layouts. I get to sit in on an interview with Stephanie Messick; a recent JMU graduate who is a talented graphic designer. She gets hired and we connect. While she is there she gets inspired to start her own photography business as a side hustle. I watch her slowly build her business and eventually she needs a second shooter. I was surprised when she asked me over lunch if I was interested. I remembering laughing and politely declining.

You see weddings weren’t my thing. I have never been the girl who played “wedding” as a child. I don’t know what my dress will look like, who will be in my bridal party, or what the colors will be. If it will be big or small, local or foreign. I knew, I liked taking portraits of people for the magazine. It was more relaxed and I had more control. When I thought of weddings  I could imagine chaos, bridezillas, drunk bridal party members and of schedule timelines. Weddings were not for me.

Stephanie asked me again eventually, when I was looking to graduate school programs and I figured I could help her out and also make some extra money to help pay for my masters. So I went. My very first wedding as a second shooter was at Kelly’s Ford. I was so nervous. I must have changed my outfit 3 times before I showed up. I followed instructions and was as helpful as I could be.

If you know me, I’m extroverted but there are times where I get wrapped up in watching and experiencing. I felt like the whole day I was taking mental notes. When I left I met a friend for a drink and he asked me “How’d it go, did you like it?” I was hooked! I immediately made a plan to second shoot weddings through grad school and once I graduated I would pursue another job in publishing since my masters would be in professional writing.

I did that for a while – maybe 6 months – before I was asked to shoot my very first solo wedding (Hey Sara + Grant!) I’m so thankful for them, as they allowed me to really jump into working weddings! I slowly started taking on smaller weddings to help offset grad school costs. Again at this point I wasn’t interested in a business just a way to help support school and my lifestyle.

A year passes with me working full time, taking 2 grad classes and taking on photography clients. To say I was tired was an understatement. I felt like everything in my life was a priority and it was hard to gauge what was the most important. My best friend from high school was getting married in Las Vegas and I was a bridesmaid so I hopped a plane for a long weekend to help her celebrate. I had every intention of disconnecting while I was there to take some time to reset and breathe, but I couldn’t. We were on deadline for the magazine and I wasn’t done writing my articles, I had papers to submit for my classes and also clients needing their galleries. I left a bridal lunch early to come back and work until dinner. It was here in the hotel room that I laid on the floor and broke down. I’m talking border line Britney in 2007 minus the shaved head and umbrella. I was exhausted and I knew I needed space. I took the next day to lay pool side and really think about what I wanted right now and what I valued in a happy life.

What I discovered in Las Vegas was that I valued a work/life balance and the ability to work alone. I also realized that I work really well in intense spurts – like in publishing with monthly deadlines or with weddings. I felt strongly about continuing to have a human connection with the people I work with.  With all of those things and the realization that exhaustion + stress in the past have created a nasty episode of Bells Palsy for me, I needed to make some serious life decisions in the coming weeks to gain some much needed balance.

After returning from Las Vegas I decided I would quit my job, take 6 months to finish my grad degree and pursue photography as a career. In order to do that I had to give up my apartment. This sweet spot in Old Town Warrenton that I scored as my first solo apartment. I lived there with Ava for close to 5 years and had grown up so much. I changed jobs, found love, bought a car, found heartache, celebrated birthdays, learned to love red wine and even adopted another dog. It was painful having to leave a place that held so many memories and really stood as my symbol of independence. But, the desire to create this business and a life that I would love was much stronger.

I packed up my place and put everything I owned into my parents garage and moved into the basement. It was here at home that I built this dream. It’s been a wild ride of learning and growth. You see as a small business owner there isn’t a guide or check-list on how to run your business or how to achieve success. Each small business serves their clients with different intentions, goals and even experiences. It’s taken me a few years to really get it right; and I’m here.

I want to say a special thank you to…

my parents for taking me in when I had nothing but a crazy idea and offered support and love

my sisters who believed in me from the beginning and constantly remind me to keep on – keeping on

my friends who cheer loud and clear

my industry gals who continue to inspire me in so many ways; your energy is contagious and your encouragement is life-giving

and finally my clients, past + present without you this business wouldn’t exist. Thank you for continuing to trust me to curate your life story.

 

Cheers friends! Here’s to another year!

 

xoxo.