Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristen Mendiola.
Kristen, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’ve always been that one friend that’s had a camera. I bought my first digital camera back in 2001, my first DSLR in 2006, but didn’t really start shooting photos consistently until 2014. A lot of my food photography started off as simple as taking photos of food that I loved while eating out with friends. (Thankful that I have patient friends haha.)
From there, I spent most of my spare time learning as much as I could about my camera and networking with people that shared similar interests.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth path. There have been a lot of ups and downs and it still remains that way. Sometimes I’m not sure why I continue to try and grow this business. It’s easy to get bogged down in every day that you lose sight of the bigger picture. One thing that I learned is that you need to celebrate even the small victories.
Remind yourself why you started doing what you’re doing and how far you have come. Never forget how much you have grown and what it took to get to this very moment. Be proud, but humble, and always strive to continue to grow.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Kristen Mendiola Photography – what should we know?
I’m a Chicago based photographer and specialize in food, portraits and travel. I am most proud of how I have had the honor of being a part of different people’s lives by photographing special moments and of the relationships that I have built along the way.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Communication. It’s important for me to understand what my client’s needs are and what their vision is for the project we’re working on together. I like to keep things collaborative and more than anything, ensure that my clients receive high-quality photos that they’re happy with.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.KristenMendiola.com
- Email: kristenmendiola@gmail.com


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