We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kristen Rodriguez. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kristen below.

Hi Kristen, thanks for joining us today. Can you walk us through some of the key steps that allowed you move beyond an idea and actually launch?

Growing up, I always loved taking photos. I remember constantly walking around with a camera in hand trying to convince my friends to let me do their hair and makeup and take their photos in my backyard. During my college years I was going to pursue a degree in education. While in college and working a 9-5 in a local doctor’s office, I quickly realized the education field was not what I thought it was. Working a 9-5 was not what I wanted. For months I began praying for God to bring clarity for what He wanted in my life and to give me the courage to take whatever those steps may be. I knew the route I was going wasn’t quite right.
My last semester before I would have my associates degree I quit my job. Gave up all of my health benefits, pay, the pay that was paying for my college might I add…I gave it all up not knowing what would happen. All I knew is that God had made me for such a time as this and He would always provide.
I continued going to college and started shooting anything and everything I could. Almost every evening I was out shooting friends and family to quickly build a portfolio. I invested in mentorships, invested in basic gear, and went ALL in very quickly.
Within three months, I was booking clients and had completely compensated my full time income from that 9-5 job I had quit. From there, I just kept pushing and working hard. Seeing the amount of people who believed in me and were willing to support me lit a fire in me. I realized it was possible to build my own dream, it was possible to work for me, It WAS possible to live out your passion and dreams. a year or so later, I had relocated here to the Nashville area. Three months into being here I was consistently booking sessions and weddings. Now, almost 5 years after that move here to TN, I am a wife, a mother, AND a successful business owner. There are slow months. There are months where I am wondering why I booked as much as I did. There will be highs. There will be lows. But, it is all SO worth it! I am so thankful I took the leap of faith so that my daughters have a mother who is an example for them that it is okay to be afraid. It is okay not to have all of the answers, it is okay to not know your next step, it is okay…because God has a plan for us. He knows our next steps. And He will never bring you to something without getting you through it. Faith, Hard work, and Motivation will get you there!

Kristen, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I feel like I shared how I got started in my previous answer but a little about me and my brand…I am a lifestyle and wedding photographer in the Nashville, TN area. I have been in business for six years and the past year has been my most successful yet! Through my six years in business I have moved three times. From FL to TN, TN to HI, HI back here to TN. My husband was medically retired from the Army last summer so our move to Hawaii was a short one. When deciding on where to lay down some roots, our hearts were immediately drawn back to TN. My husband is from SoCal and I am from NC. But we weren’t feeling a tug back to either of those places. TN has always felt like home. I am happy to say we are done moving (for now lol) and I can focus on continually growing my business.

My favorite thing to photograph is couples and weddings. Although, since I have become a momma I really enjoy family sessions as well. I like to describe my work as clean, true to color, with a little bit of warmth.

I offer a few session packages and three different wedding packages as well as an elopement option. I will travel all over for weddings!

I think what sets me apart from other photographers is my personality. I have made some of the BEST friends over the years that were clients first. Most of my clients will tell you that after you leave your session, you leave with a new friend. I make it a point to be personable with my clients and their family so that they are as comfortable as possible when in front of the camera.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Growing up with a single mother, I remember her struggling hard financially. She is one of the hardest workers I know and now that I have reached the part of my life where I am a wife and a mother, I don’t know how she made ends meet most months. Knowing I never want my family to know that struggle drives me every day. Working for myself, my success is determined by how much work I am willing to put in and having a family has motivated me more than ever.
While it isn’t always about the money… when our girls get older, if they are good at a sport and they want to play on a travel team I want my husband and I to be able to say yes. If our girl’s need something I want to be able to provide right away without wondering how we are going to make it happen.
Most importantly, I want to teach our girl’s to be generous. With their time, talent, and when they can, with their finances.
My current goal is to knock out any debt and to also save for (hopefully soon) the process of adopting a child.
In the coming years, I want to be to a point where if someone needs help, we can help them no questions asked.
Ultimately…To give, so much more.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

You don’t need a 9-5 or a degree to be successful. Growing up I was surrounded by those that pushed for a college degree and many that I knew weren’t self employed. It was all a new scene for me. While it was nerve racking to go against what was “traditional” and “safe” it was the best decision I made. I don’t have student loans I have to worry about, I didn’t waste more time than I needed to living out someone else’s dreams instead of mine, and now I can make my own schedule…which can be good and a bad thing lol. As a mother it is very important to own my time and have a schedule that is flexible. But, I do need to learn to say no more instead of overbooking myself like I tend to do. I am not sure if I will ever get that figured out but I am trying!

Contact Info:

• Website: kristenpaigephotos.com
• Instagram: @kristen.paige.photography
• Facebook: Facebook.com/kristenpaigephotography

Image Credits
Personal Photo – Andrew Cunningham