Interview With Freelance Photographer Kristy Burris

Q: How would you describe your attention span?
A: Haha! That’s easy….A.D.D…. but when it comes to my work i get so involved that i forget about everything else. Sometimes the boyfriend forbids me to take the camera on certain trips because I wont put the camera down.

Q: When did you decide to become a photographer?
A: After obtaining my degree in graphic design, I couldn’t find work. Photography was already a hobby of mine and i decided to make it a career after finishing my second degree in photography.

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Q: Do you like to talk about yourself or your pictures? If yes, about what aspects of photography? If no, why?
A: I like to talk about anything having to do with photography.

Q: What does photography mean to you?
A: I have always been a big fan of photojournalism and that is my shooting style. so i would have to say capturing real moments in time. But i also enjoy new ideas and being creative. Its a great way to let your imagination run wild! anything is possible in photography now with technology improving everyday.

Q: Can you recall the first photo you took that made you go WOW!?
A: Yeah, It was a sunset shot I took right around farmington hills, mi. I was driving on my way home from class at O.C.C. along a lake and the scene was just perfect and i had my camera on me so I pulled over and got the shot. It was amazing. Thats when I knew I would be doing photography for the rest of my life.

Q: Do you have any formal training regarding photography?
A: Yes! Associates degree in photography from oakland community college. I alos have 7 years experience in custom framing.

Q: Define the word “beauty”!
A: Beauty is anything and anyone that is appealing to oneself whether it be physical, mental and or emotional.

Q: How does your personality change when you look through the camera?
A: When I start to use my camera, its as if i cant put it down! I see so many things and I want to get them all in the frame. So many ideas run through my mind as I’m shooting. That’s why sometimes my shoots end up being longer than i intended. I just love working with a camera.

Q: How do you feel about missed shots which cannot be recreated?
A: It sucks when your trying to be in the right place at the right time and you miss something you REALLY wanted. But all you can do is move on and keep shooting. Pretty soon something better might come along, even unexpected.

Q: Ever concerned about failure?
A: Not about my work at all, I’m very confident in what i do. My concern is the marketing and trying to get actual paying jobs. I’m in Michigan and things are pretty tough around here, especially as a freelance photographer.

Q: Who are your influences?
A: I like to read Shutter Bug and Popular Photography magazine. They both have a lot of fun ideas.

Q: What is your favorite image, either your own or someone else’s or both? Describe its creation or meaning to you?
A: One of my favorites is a shot i took of Terrence Parker spinning at the Detroit Electronic Music Festival in 2008. I also have one of Stacey Pullen. They just look so happy doing what they love to do. Those are the moments I shoot for. Moments that are real and inspirational.

Q: What are the biggest personal or professional challenges you face on a daily basis?
A:My biggest challenge is marketing and advertising for myself. Its hard to come up with extra money and new ideas for that. Extra motivation would be nice too.

Q: What are your favorite subjects to photograph?
A: Events! and People! I love Photojournalism!

Q: Tell your funniest, scariest, most bizarre, most touching story from a photo shoot!
A: While shooting at the Detroit Electronic Music Festival, these two guys showed up in the crowd out of nowhere in these robot costumes they made out of recycled boxes, vinyl and some wires. They somehow managed to get on the main stage later that night and the crowed went wild!

Q: Do you ever have photographer’s block and if yes how do you deal with it?
A: I read photography magazines

Q: Describe what black and white photography means to you?
A: It means more focus on aesthetics. I really love black and white film too!

Q: Do you think of yourself as an artist and what do you think of the word artist?
A: Yes I do. The word “artist” seems to run in my family. My grandpa was an oil painter and my dad is a musician.

Q: How do you describe your photographic style?
A: Photo-journalistic

Q: What has been the most surprising or most predictable reaction to your photographs?
A: I remember when I first met Terrence Parker. I handed him a copy of the pic I took of him at DEMF 2008, and his jaw just dropped to the floor. That felt like a shining moment for me. I have always been a huge fan of his and he was very impressed with my work. he autographed my copy as well.

Q: Who or what would you love to shoot that you haven’t already?
A: Anywhere in Europe and Egypt too!

Q: What would you have done differently during your photography career so far and could this be an advice to others?
A: Maybe try an agent to help me get work.

Q: What are your thoughts on the paparazzi and their effects on photographers and photography?
A: I think they give photographers a bad name. photography should never be about invading anyone’s space.

Q: How do you feel about digital manipulation and to what extent do you utilize it?
A: It depends on what the photographer is trying to create. It can be great and it can destroy at the same time. All I know is that to me nothing compares to film.

Q: What other thoughts would you like to share?
A: I had a lot of fun doing this interview. Thank you for the opportunity :)

Visit Kristy’s photographer portfolio.

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