Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristin Janiszewski.
Kristin, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
After years in the corporate sales world, I knew I needed a creative outlet and began what is now Kristin Janiszewski Photography back in 2009. At that time we lived in the city I was so excited to finally learn how to use my “big-girl camera” with Richard Stromberg at Chicago Photography Classes on Ravenswood. While I learned so much on the technical side there, I found my voice with a ton of trial and error, mentoring with a few of my favorite photographers across the country, and gaining the most from documenting my own two crazy kiddos. I have found my own little formula to make sessions amazing… and it happens when they are enjoyable, not stressful… Strange right? No running around the day of scrambling for shoes, or forcing everyone to look and smile. Who wants to do that for an hour?! NO. ONE. I want to have fun. I want YOU to have fun. And I can do that by capturing your family just as they are, with some gentle guidance you along the way. I am truly honored when I am chosen to photograph any of my clients because it means they trust me and my vision to document their own true loves.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Heck no! Two big challenges come to mind.
First, it was intimidating to start out in a market where there are so many amazing photographers! How would I stack up? Could I make it? Then I realized they all had to start somewhere, too, and like everything else in life, it takes time. I appreciate the immense amount of talent around me, because it inspires me to learn more to better myself and my clients. That intimidation helped me figure out what to do to stand out, shooting what I personally love most, which are the genuine connections that are unique to each family. And it’s been so humbling and amazing to have people hire me for that vision.
As things have picked up over the years, now my biggest challenge is balancing family life and work life, which I am sure every parent can relate to! I have an obsession with the dreamy sunset light for my outdoor sessions, but that creeps into toddler dinner and bedtime, and I hate missing that time and leaving it all on my husband. Or when I need to get a session edited and be in front of my computer, but my kids are pulling me to play outside… The. Struggle. Is. Real! It’s not perfect yet, but we plan out our family calendar pretty far in advance to block things off and from there I can set shoot dates 2-3x per week, editing time during school days, and that way our family is always a priority.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Kristin Janiszewski Photography story. Tell us more about the business.
I want you to FEEL something when you see my images. Feel that over-whelming love you have for your crazy-haired girl or gap-toothed little man. Hear your kids’ laughter from when they were tossed in the air. Do you know how much your child’s face lights up when you when you hug them fiercely? (Right?! we never see since we’re in the embrace, and let me tell ya, it gives me all the feels!) Capturing the mix of anticipation and excitement and fear every new mom and dad have is priceless. When you look back years from now, I want you to remember how much love you felt on the day we shared. That’s why I do what I do, and love every minute of it.
I’m a family, child, maternity and newborn photographer serving Chicago and surrounding areas with a studio in La Grange. Most of my outdoor work is either in our suburban forest preserves or roaming the city downtown, and I shoot newborns in my studio as well as clients’ homes. I love working with each and every client to come up with a vision for their session, and helping every step of the way from location, to wardrobe, to activities we can do to capture their family in its truest form. When you stop focusing on perfection and start focusing on connection, you will love what develops! (Cheesy I know, but hey, it’s my mantra and believe in it whole-heartedly!!!)
Most proud of? Each and every image I produce. If I love it, I include it, and I love giving more than I promise if it helps tell the family story.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I’ve always been a little on the lucky side, but I find most of the luck is what you make of each circumstance. If you work hard enough, provide the best customer experience possible, and surround yourself with an amazing tribe of people, that wins over any type of luck any day. To be fair though, I have a had a few crazy busy fall seasons with only a handful of weather-related reschedules… and that for sure is luck right there!
Pricing:
- Family Sessions $600 Weekday / $700 Weekend
- Newborn Sessions $700 Weekday / $800 Weekend
- Mini Sessions $400 Weekday / $500 Weekend
Contact Info:
- Address: Studio Address:
711 W. Hillgrove Ave.
Floor 2
La Grange, IL 60525 - Website: www.kristinjphoto.com
- Phone: 773-793-2130
- Email: kristinjphoto@hotmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/kristinjphoto1
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/kristinjphoto
- Yelp: www.yelp.com/biz/kristin-janiszewski-photography-la-grange
Image Credit:
Liz Franco Photography (personal photo)
All additional images by Kristin Janiszewski Photography
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
