Today we’d like to introduce you to Christina Kujanpää.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I’m mainly a newborn and family photographer. I didn’t think newborns would become my specialty when I first started, but somehow that’s just become what I’m known for. I’m a mom of three, but my gratitude for life started way before becoming a mom.
I’m actually adopted- my birthmother was 16 when I was born so she could have easily been 15 when she became pregnant. I am 28 years old so I don’t know what the politics were back then with abortions and stuff like that, but in today’s world, which is the world I’m in right now, I know that a baby’s chances of making it in a circumstance like mine was is slim. So, I’m really grateful for life. Every day I’m grateful for the little moments that make this world a great place to be. And I try to incorporate that into my sessions with you. Little fingers are each a miracle. Every diaper change, every cry, every hug. It’s all a gift. And when I go into a home where there is so much love for this new human being, my energies are lifted and my day is infinitely better. Telling the stories of family love through your photos makes me a better person and makes me grateful for the life I have.
And then I go home and love on the little people I’ve been blessed with and my heart really might burst. I believe in children and I believe in families, and as a photographer and artist, I think that belief helps me be successful.
Please tell us about your art.
I am a newborn/family portrait and lifestyle photographer. What that means is that I take photos that show off faces in all their uniqueness and beauty and then I also take photos that show how life really is- and how beautiful it is. I don’t really pose newborns for example. I let them lay their hands how they normally do and then I use the light in the room to get a really beautiful photograph.
My favorite photos are actually the “in betweens” as I like to call them. The photos I take as I ask a mom to undress her baby for the next shot and I catch her hand laying against her baby’s body and the photo shows the scale of the baby in comparison to the mom. The photos of the dad comforting the baby as she cries during the session- those photos are really beautiful because that baby grows so fast and when you see those photos when they are older you really feel and remember what it was like during those long, but magical nights. You remember how their little body felt in your arms and what their cry felt like in your heart.
So really, I don’t create the magic. You do. But I use my camera as a tool to make sure the magic can be viewed for years down the road. My photos are bright because I believe childhood and life are bright and full of light.
As an artist, how do you define success and what quality or characteristic do you feel is essential to success as an artist?
Success to me is helping another person feel joy in some way. I absolutely live for the texts from clients who are thrilled about the photos they’re seeing for the first time. I love that I am able to use the talents God has given me to help their family have a happy experience getting their photos taken that then translates into happy, emotional photographs that they can cherish for years and generations to come.
Loving my clients is essential to my success. I love babies because they have so much to teach me and I love old people because they have so much to teach me. I have always really loved human beings- everyone is amazing in some way and everyone has a light inside their eyes. Getting to take people’s photographs gives me the opportunity to really see faces and eyes and it opens my heart up to loving even more deeply.
Business wise I consider myself successful if I am improving as I go along. Because of this, dedication is really important. Dedication to whatever you’re doing- giving something your all- makes you successful.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
Instagram is a great place to follow my work- I don’t post photos of my family on my website but I do on my Instagram. I like telling our story because being a mom makes me a better photographer. I also just really like my kids and like showing them off. Who doesn’t. My instagram is: @christina.kujanpaa
I also have a new website where you can see recent sessions and more of my work on a larger scale. My website is christinakujanpaa.com. I’d love to have you stop by.
Contact Info:
- Website: christinakujanpaa.com
- Phone: 8327924433
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: christina.kujanpaa
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christinakujanpaaphotography/
Image Credit:
Christina Kujanpää
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