Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristina Avila.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
Since I was a little girl, I have learned to take care of people. Always be a helper, see a need and fill that need. Treat everyone like they are someone & keep it real. Well, it’s a passion of mine to make and create connections with folks. I started my photography career 7 years ago as a family photographer and as I started my own little family five years ago, my passion to care for my own babies & foster my marriage somehow and almost instantly shifted my creative focus to weddings & couples. Where it all begins. I bring my California aesthetic with me & fresh vibes to my couples. I have totally embraced this gorgeous state & all its southern glory; but I am a California girl through & through. The Cali swag is here Texas!
The story is simple. I’m a CA girl in Texas who loves people & who learned to use a camera. My first focus is our connection, the second is yours. My camera is a witness & my heart carries it all!
Please tell us about your art.
Because I am intentional about building a relationship first, it helps script the narrative that’s already being told within each couple, just yet to actually be written & displayed. I first and as soon as I can love to get face to face with my couples, even prospective clients. Take them out to coffee or lunch & talk about them, the big day, their hopes & vision! All of my collections come with an engagement session and this is like the “first date” of sessions. I’d feel so awkward, and I’m sure any couple might too, to shoot for the first time on the wedding day. So, the engagement session allows for us all to feel each other out. I get to learn what you’re most comfortable with and you get a feel for how I shoot, gently guide & witness how all out I’ll go for your epic shots! We get the pre-shoot nerves out of the way, I custom create dope play lists for every couple, usually bring along some fun prompts or we choose a location that’s significant or fun for YOU & have a BLAST, whether it’s a local brewery, a gorgeous lakeside spot, classic southern field vibes or an out of state mountain top, it is the best time!
Come wedding day, we are buds, we are hanging out the whole day, soaking it all in. And what moments you miss as you’re focusing on saying “I do” to forever & enjoying friends & family; you get to relive when I deliver the sweet gallery. I’m in love with the whole process, I am your friend along for the journey. What I truly hope is that each couple looks back on their images & get to remember exactly how they felt in that moment. I hope we stay friends & I get to be the one to capture the future best days of your life along the way; like a pregnancy, your first baby, the second baby and everything in between. I’m a lifer. My work is about life & the life we all create. Simple as that.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing artists today?
Authenticity. The real moments. The struggle between feeling like your work has to be absolutely cohesive and perfect to attract clients and wanting to display the maybe imperfect but truly touching moments. The ones that meant a lot to you or your client. The ones that truly display humanity & love, but maybe aren’t the cream of the crop, trending images you’d see in those huge feature accounts. A lot of creatives feel forced to fake it, stage moments meant to imitate real life in order to get the “perfect shot”. It’s hard not to compare your humble beginnings as a second shooter or beginner, compare your “trying to find my sweet spot” with the perfection you see on social media, even the real moments. Comparison vs. authenticity, it’s a trip.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
My website, Instagram and Facebook are the best ways to connect! Visit www.kristinaavila.com or follow along at Instagram.com/kristinaavilaphoto or Facebook.com/kristinaavilaphoto and drop an email, I would love to get to know some of you amazing folks!
Contact Info:
- Address: Fort Worth, Tx
- Website: www.kristinaavila.com
- Email: hello@kristinaavila.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/kristinaavilaphoto
- Facebook: facebook.com/kristinaavilaphoto
Image Credit:
Kristina Avila Photography
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