Hey Friends! Yesterday, I announced something SUPER exciting!
After six years as a one-woman show (with, let’s face it, a whole lot of support and love and brainstorming sessions with my awesome husband), Lissa Chandler Photography is expanding! I can’t even believe it! And today?! I am introducing y’all to Kristen Herrington!
Kristen is the total package: She is funny and easy to get along with and ridiculously talented, too. The first time I saw Kristen’s work, she was siting across from me at a Starbucks after shadowing me at Jennifer’s Senior Session and, as we sat and talked about Kristen’s new business, I started to wax poetic about how every photographer needs to find their own photographic voice (I will literally monologue about this topic for, like, ever if given the platform) and asked to see her photographs.
As soon as I saw them, I thought, “Holy Smokes!!” and then looked her straight in the eye and told her that she was way more advanced than I ever was at her age and that, if she kept pushing hard, awesome things would happen for her. And those awesome things? They have definitely come her way! Kristen runs a successful Senior Photography business in Fayetteville – her work is beautiful! – and, along with her High School Senior work, she rocks amazing editorial and fitness shoots and she also shoots lookbooks for Lauren James. This girl is on fire and I am so thrilled to have her on as associate wedding shooter! She’s already booking for 2018 – she literally booked her first couple less than a day after she officially joined the team – and I can’t even wait to see all of her photographs!
So! Enough talking from me! Here’s Kristen’s interview, y’all! Can’t wait for you to know her!
How old were you when you got your first camera?
I started out with disposable cameras at about 8 years old – in fact I still have albums filled with prints of photos I had taken of my parents, my dog, my siblings, and just about anyone else who would let me. Around 13 I started taking pictures with my moms point and shoot (okay, so they were mostly selfies taken in my front yard but we won’t talk about that). Then when I was 16, I got my very first “big girl” camera and started taking photos of people other than myself haha!
How did you fall in love with photography?
In junior high and high school, I was always planning shoots and forcing my friends to model for me. We had a ton of fun doing it and I loved how confident my photos made them feel! Occasionally I would post our shoots to Facebook and whenever I did, I got a lot of encouragement and positive feedback from friends and family. I think this is when I started to seriously think about being a photographer. I remember being 15 and thinking about what I wanted to do when I grew up and I ran through all kinds of professions and the reasons why I didn’t want to do them. Doctor: I hate needles, no way. Lawyer: I could NOT work in an office all day long. Teacher: Going to school everyday sounds awful. Anyways, you guys get the point. But when I thought about being a photographer, I couldn’t think of a single reason not to, and of course, about a million reasons I should!
What’s your very favorite part of the wedding day?
I absolutely LOVE receptions. All the stress and nerves and anxiety of the day have melted away and then it’s just one big party to celebrate the BEST day of your lives! Reception photos always turn out so fun & you can just see the happiness and joy that everybody is feeling!
Any funny stories that took place while shooting a session or wedding?
My favorite story is about a bride who forgot her underwear on her wedding day! Her maid of honor took off her own and gladly handed them over to her best friend! Hahaha!
If you could photograph any one person living or dead, who would it be and why?
Ellen! Mostly just because I want to meet her haha!
What’s in your camera bag? Do you have a favorite lens?
A Canon MK III, Sigma ART 35mm, and a million bajillion memory cards. I LOVE my 35. I basically never take it off my camera unless I have to!
How did you meet your husband?
Ha! This is always a funny question to me. He was actually dating one of my best friends & I had the biggest crush on him. He’s a loyal, one-girl-at-a-time type of guy, so he didn’t even give me the time of day until they ended things. After that, we were inseparable from the first time we hung out!
If you could travel anywhere, where would it be?
I am dying to go to the Amalfi Coast!
What’s your favorite local date night?
You can’t beat Hugo’s burgers & life-changing grasshopper crepes (seriously y’all, if you haven’t had them, don’t walk, RUN and get some!)
Favorite Netflix show to binge on?
Hands down, THE OFFICE!
Song you know every single word to? Album?
There is actually a running joke among my husband, friends AND family about how I never know the words to songs & I just make them up as I go!
Waffles or Pancakes? WAFFLES 1000%!
Farmer’s Market Flowers or Store Bouquets? Whole Foods has the BEST bouquets!
Mountains or Beach? Mountains, duh!
Comedy or Horror Movies? Comedy
Maxi Dress or Blue Jeans? Blue jeans
Vintage or New? New
A Quick Weekend Trip or an Epic Road Trip? Quick weekend trip
Aquarium or Zoo? Zoo! (Jake & I make a point to always visit the zoo in new city’s)
Favorite Color? Blue
Favorite Pizza Toppings? Pepperoni & extra cheese
Favorite Fayetteville Restaurant? Hugo’s!
Favorite Dinosaur? Long neck
Favorite Laffy Taffy Joke? Where does a penguin keep his money? A snow bank!
And last but (definitely!) not least!
How do you want your clients to feel when you photograph them?
I want them to feel comfortable, confident & like they’re able to be their true selves!
Thank you so much for this stellar interview, Kristen! I’m so thrilled to have Kristen as part of the LCP Team and can’t even wait for all of y’all to fall in love with her work, too. Kristen is already booking for 2018 (!!!) and you can contact her via my contact form or at kristen@lissachandler.com.
P.S. Find out more about Kristen on here “Meet Kristen!’ page HERE, see her session with her husband (then boyfriend!) Jake HERE, and check out her photography website HERE. She is amazing!
Weddings | Engagements | Seniors | Families | Personal