We recently had the chance to connect with Kristina Corrales and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Kristina, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
Building my confidence as a photographer. My father was an award winning LA Times photojournalist (Rick Corrales) who passed away in 2005. My interest in pursuing photography began after he died, which was a complex journey that included a lot of personal resistance. My dad was incredibly talented and naturally I compared my work to his, and often felt mine wasn’t good enough. Ultimately I had to embrace my own unique style to forge my own path as a portrait photographer.
A major step in building my own identity was pushing past my comfort zone to create work. That meant enrolling in classes at the LA Center of Photography, studying photographers who inspire me (such as Brooke Shaden and Anna Marie Tendler), creating my own fine art series, and reaching out to nonprofits in need of portrait photography. I have learned I love photography because it’s an incredible tool for storytelling through the instant emotion it offers and the powerful impact it can create. Finding my voice through photography has been a surprisingly healing process, and I’m grateful to be able to do the work that I do.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Kristina, my friends call me Kristy. I am a portrait photographer in Los Angeles and grew up in Southern California. I am a “journalism baby” — I grew up in newsrooms since both my parents were journalists. My childhood influenced my approach to my work; it’s all about storytelling. With every session I get to know the person and have an idea of what they want to communicate with their photos. I understand it can feel uncomfortable in front of a camera, and I always strive to make sure people feel relaxed and a sense of connection so I can capture their natural spirit. I don’t believe in forcing poses or over directing, it’s really a dance between the person and the photographer and everyone should feel at ease. I mostly do private sessions, and volunteer with nonprofits including American Lung Association, Ace of Hearts Dog Rescue, Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, and Habitat for Humanity.
I am also working on a personal fine art series called “Objects Left Behind”, which explores grief and loss and was inspired by the memory of my parents. It’s a surrealist series that features simple/everyday objects they left behind, such as a pair of glasses my dad once wore, and the series helped me navigate the maze of grief by telling my own story. I am creating a new photo series called “Stories Left Behind” which will feature individual stories about grief and loss.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
When I was 18, my mom had a seizure in a salon chair and was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. I remember getting a phone call while I was working at my neighborhood Starbucks in Oxnard, California. “Your mom is in an ambulance, please meet us at the hospital”. At that moment, I knew my childhood was officially ending. My mom was lucky to live for four years with lung cancer, but I had a different view of the world than most of my friends and peers. Navigating relationships, going away to college, and all the milestones of transitioning into adulthood came with unexpected challenges and perspective. I felt like I was shot out of a cannon to “you’re an independent adult now” which was of course difficult — but looking back, overcoming that pain created much of what I value in myself today. It also helped me understand how important it is to share our personal stories, because they can offer comfort to so many who feel alone in their struggles.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
There is a powerful quote from Mel Robbins that I adopted as my personal mantra: “What if it all works out?” I wish I could have told my younger self those wise words. The concept is unquestionably simple, and grounds me when I experience crippling “worst case scenario” anxiety. Five months before my mom died from lung cancer, my dad passed away from stomach cancer. I had just finished college and it was my worst fear becoming a reality. “What if it all works out” couldn’t have felt further from the truth, but the truth is it usually does work out. Even after an overwhelming tragedy, there will be a point when you will look back on a painful time as something you were able to overcome. And as I once heard Jay Shetty say: “Grief is like a stone you carry it in your pocket…you know it’s there… but as time goes on… you get stronger and the stone gets lighter.”
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
People are often surprised to hear how much I struggle with anxiety. I’d say the public or “professional” version of me can appear comfortable working with people, going to large events, or even public speaking. These are all skills I’ve had to really work on, and being aware of how I am feeling has helped tremendously. I’ve learned that a lot of confidence is being able to say “I”m struggling with this right now” and not be ashamed of it. And chances are, many other people have struggled with the same thing.
I’m an introvert, and participated in Toastmasters International to improve my public speaking skills and confidence in new environments. I remember walking into the first meeting and feeling intimidated by so many professionals in suits. But I learned that what resonates most with people is not how “polished” you are, but if you are authentic and speak from the heart. That experience improved my confidence professionally, even when speaking with people one on one.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Have you ever gotten what you wanted, and found it did not satisfy you?
I wanted to stop working after my first son was born in 2015, which I was very fortunate to do. I was also caring for my grandmother who developed dementia after my mom passed away, which was a lot to manage. Becoming a mom brought on a whole new set of emotions I didn’t expect, particularly missing the guidance of my own parents.
In the process of becoming a mom, saying goodbye to my grandmother, and pausing my professional life, I lost a sense of who I was as a person. I know a lot of new moms go through this, and looking back I can see I experienced postpartum depression. This was also when I discovered I am a creative person in need of an outlet. I started studying photography after my first son was born, and like my dad, I took thousands of baby pictures. While my dad was the person who inspired my love for photography, my children are who inspired me to become a photographer.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kristinacorralesphotography.com
- Instagram: @kristinacorralesphoto
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinacorrales/
Image Credits
Kristina Corrales profile photo by Heather Alexis Photography
All other images by Kristina Corrales Photography
