Today we’d like to introduce you to Gianna Crest.
Hi Gianna, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
My story began when I purchased a “nice camera” for my 26th birthday in 2016 after being encouraged by amazing wife- who was my girlfriend at the time. I was feeling lost and burnt out at a desk job and knew I was meant for more. I wanted to show my son that you can do anything you put your mind to- even without formal education and ADHD. Even though I had no idea how to use a camera, I was determined and eager to follow a desire that was burning within. I watched endless hours of YouTube and Photoshop tutorials. After about a year of taking photos of literally anything or anyone who would let me, I decided to invest in myself. I saw that one of my favorite photographers, Monique Serra (now retired), was launching a 3-day photography workshop in Oregon and knew I had to make it happen if I wanted to advance my career. So, in September 2017, I jumped on a plane alone to meet a group of strangers (about 10 ladies) at an Airbnb on the Oregon coast. I’m so grateful for the experience and portfolio-building I got from those three days. A couple photos from that workshop got featured on a few big IG accounts. My Instagram grew, and so did my ego, lol. I was able to go full-time as a wedding and elopement photographer, which was a wild ride! Although I never had a bad experience photographing weddings and elopements, I realized it was taking a toll on my mental health and decided to retire that part of my career in 2021.
When the pandemic started, the wedding industry took a major hit, and I needed to venture out into other niches to support my family. It was then that I decided to start photographing real estate. I hadn’t really been interested in real estate work prior to this because I didn’t like how sterile it looked. I told the first person who reached out to have me photograph their home that I would be applying my preset that I use for people to their photos. I didn’t realize it at the time, but there was a huge desire for this vibe in the real estate world. I apparently caught the wave and set the precedent for “dark and moody” real estate photography and premium rates in my town of Big Bear since no one was really doing that here. I also didn’t realize how much I would love doing this work! I’ve been staying busy with this side of my photography and don’t see myself stopping anytime soon.
As for my portrait work, I’ve slowed down quite a bit, which I am actually thankful for. Because of this slow season, I’ve been able to figure out which route I want to take next. In this season of life, I decided I wanted to take more of a documentary-style approach to my portraiture. This is something I’ve always been drawn to, but never had the courage to do a full session this way. I recently reached out to a few good friends to take their photos for my new offering, “A Life Well Lived,” which is basically a lifestyle session where I give zero direction and just purely document. I got to do my first one this week of my friend and her horses and it was everything I could have hoped for and more! I’m craving true authenticity lately and just want to capture the moments that really matter. I look forward to seeing where this new journey takes me and sharing it with the world.
I definitely don’t think I’d be where I am today without the support from my wife, who is also an artist- a Tattoo Artist and owner of BC Tattoos here in Big Bear. She’s been one of my biggest inspirations, as she’s always just followed her passion, even when she felt like giving up. She pushed me through many burnouts and crying spells. My son has also been a massive driving factor. I really want him to be proud of me and see that you can do what you love, but it takes hard work, consistency, perseverance, and dedication to your craft. And finally, I want to make my mom proud. She passed away when I was 21, so she never got to see me pursue this passion of mine. Although, I feel her creative and passionate spirit in all that I do.
I’m so grateful to everyone who has believed in me (including myself) and all the clients that have followed me on this journey. I have such a massive support system and definitely wouldn’t be the photographer that I am today without them.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Oh, absolutely. I have ADHD, so consistency is really difficult for me. And, of course, when you’re first starting out in photography (or any field), you make a lot of mistakes. Editing, communicating, pricing, legalities… you name it. I really struggled with communicating boundaries and pricing my sessions at the rates I felt I was worth for the first few years. I also didn’t have contracts right away, which is absolutely essential in this business. Fortunately, I haven’t had any unhappy clients (that I’m aware of) in the six years I’ve been doing this.
I also really struggled with the limiting beliefs I had about my work and often got in my own way. I used to play into the comparison and Instagram game quite a bit or try to copy other photographers that I looked up to, but over time, I learned to stay in my own lane and stop comparing myself to anyone but my past self.
Perspective shifts can go a really long way. And since I’m the kind of person that sees a challenge as an opportunity for growth, I thank the lessons that come and always strive to be better than I was yesterday.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a natural light photographer based in Big Bear Lake, CA. My focus has always been families and couples, but more recently, I’ve been leaning into more of a documentary-style approach by doing lifestyle sessions. I’m known for creating a comfortable environment for my clients to open up and be themselves, which is why most of my reviews mention this! I’ve also been known for capturing the “in-between” moments well, which is why I’m trying to shift my brand to mainly lifestyle.
I’m really proud of the fact that people feel like they’ve known me for years upon meeting me. I feel like that means I’m doing something right by being my authentic self. I love that clients continue to return to me year after year- not only for the beautiful photos but because of their comfortable experience with me!
To be honest, I really don’t know what sets me apart from other photographers because I don’t pay much attention to other photographers in that way. When I used to think about what set me apart, it often tore me apart. I don’t want that for myself. So now, I just focus on my clients and how I can improve all the time.
What are your plans for the future?
As I’ve been mentioning, I’m trying to rebrand myself as a documentary-style photographer. This is mostly because after losing my mom in 2011, I realized how I had very little photos of her and even less of us together. I’d give anything to have photos of us doing the things we enjoyed together- which, to be totally honest, was few and far between. But one of my fondest memories with my mom was helping her garden. It was her favorite thing to do. I vividly remember her watering her plants, swaying from side to side, with a cigarette in the other hand, lol. Capturing the simple and mundane moments like that feel like my calling in this season of life. I’d love to be able to offer others what I don’t have- memories that we can look back on and remember exactly how it felt to be in that moment.
I’m looking forward to documenting my friends fishing, a family hiking, and another rock climbing together. These are all things that they do often and would like tangible memories of. I’m so here for it!
I’m also considering learning videography because little clips of the above would be such a rad offering to include!
Pricing:
- Lifestyle Sessions are $500 for a minimum of 45 minutes and 25 edited photos.
- Real estate work starts at $650 for 35 edited photos.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.giannachristinaphoto.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giannachristinaphoto/ and https://www.instagram.com/elevate_with_g/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/giannachristinaphotography
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/gianna-christina-photo-big-bear-lake-5?osq=Photographer&override_cta=Get+pricing
Image Credits
Gianna Christina Photo
