Today we’d like to introduce you to Krista Rose Frohling.
Hi Krista, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
I have always enjoyed creating and participating in music, art, and dance classes as a child.
However, I found my “thing” when I was in junior high and a family friend introduced me to the work of Ansel Adams. Adams’ stark contrast, clean lines, and stunning content captured my imagination and sparked a love of photography that would last a lifetime.
Just before my high school graduation, I was hired by Mark Beaven, of Beaven Photography, to work as an assistant and eventually the second shooter with his wedding, portrait, and event photography business.
My first job was loading and unloading film in his medium format cameras, as we were still shooting film at the time. Under Mark’s guidance, I learned hands-on experience working with clients, running a business, and the technical elements of portrait and event photography. In fact, I still work with Mark from time to time today.
I graduated from Webster University with my BA in Photography and Certificate of Entrepreneurship in 2008, just in time for the recession to really hit hard. Everyone looking for work had far more experience than I did. I was still working for Mark, but it was part-time, as all freelance work is. At that juncture, I had a few years of wedding photography and portrait/event photography experience under my belt, and the rudimentary know-how to get a business off the ground.
These tools made me a job for me instead of relying on others to see my value. I started L’Amore Rose Photography and also took on multiple part-time jobs to support myself while things were picking up. At one point, I was working 5 part-time/freelance jobs to make ends meet and worked for months on end without a day off while I drummed up business for myself. Now, 17 years into my professional photography experience, I’m still going strong, and don’t regret a single moment of the sweat equity that went into myself.
In 2011, I started my MFA program at SIU-Carbondale. For me, getting an MFA would open the doors to teaching at the collegiate level and help me deepen my conceptual and academic understanding of my craft. It was a difficult road, but well worth the work because a few months after my graduation I was hired by Lindenwood University to my first post-graduate collegiate level teaching role, and I found my place in the world.
I also have 3 children (4-year-old twins and 8 year old) and an overly supportive/patient husband. My husband, Andy, should have earned several awards by this point for his ability to be supportive throughout this journey.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I’m not sure any creative or entrepreneur has what could be called a “smooth path”. The poorly timed recession, pandemic, and juggling the ever-present work-life balance struggle have proven to be formidable challenges.
During the early COVID lockdown, everyone in the event industry found themselves in an interesting position, however, my business was able to survive and come out on the other side more lean and flexible than before. My students and I also learned to navigate the world of online learning like pros. The skills I learned while teaching through COVID have allowed me to create interactive and thoughtful online versions of my courses.
I have found myself navigating the heavily male operated spaces of higher education. In teaching, I have found my calling. Not only do I get to do what I love most in the world, all things photography, but I get to share that love and passion with others and watch them grow. However, the worlds of artist, academic, and mother do not mesh together well as they are all-consuming roles.
Pushing against the patriarchy of higher ed while seeking a full-time instructor role, and striking some semblance of a work-life balance has kept me on my toes in recent years. I am optimistic though that the right position will open up, and my value as an educator and artist will be recognized.
Currently, I’m working at 7 different colleges teaching an average of 10-12 courses per semester.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My business runs primarily on portrait, event, and wedding photography.
As a photographer who was trained in the academic environment and under the careful guidance of Mark Beaven, I have a unique set of skills I bring to the table with my work. My use of artificial lighting during my wedding work is unique to the local industry. I love nothing more than to set up romantic and dramatic lighting for my clients.
Wedding photography is such a beautiful industry to work within because you get to interact with people on one of their happiest days, and write family histories. Often, I photograph clients for years after their weddings recording all their life events. I love nothing more than to go into their homes and see a whole wall of the family history I photographed and helped preserve.
In my art, I have recently started working on diving back into Polaroid emulsion lifts and exploring the conceptual abilities of the medium to communicate the fragility of memory. I’m also working on what will most likely be a self-published book of botanical photographs. I am hoping to have an ebook version available by the end of summer.
Finally, with my work as an instructor, I find deep joy in working with the incredible students at my institutions. The students are inspirational and bold humans who, I truly believe, are going to change the world for the better. I consider it my deepest honor to be allowed to watch them learn and grow as artists.
Experiencing my craft through their clever and questioning eyes makes me a better photographer at the end of the day.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
The best thing I ever did for my photography career was to learn from experts.
Learning from experts can take a variety of routes depending on what you want to pursue. Internships, college courses, and working in the industry and related industries all helped me learn what it takes to be successful in photography. After watching and learning from the experts, then you can more easily find your path to achieve your own version of success.
Also, networking will take you far. Getting to know those in your industry and in related industries will only serve to help you grow. These connections help you keep a pulse on the latest trends and industry changes.
Finally, be patient and persistent. It takes a stubborn dreamer and a bit of scrappiness to hold a career in the arts. I consider myself exceedingly lucky to have found the right doors to open along the way. I owe a lot to the people who I have met along my path who have helped push me forward to where I am today.
When I get to where I’m going, I’ll let you know what else I needed to know along the way.
Contact Info:
- Email: kristarose@me.com
- Website: lamorerose.com
- Instagram: @lamorerosephotography
- Facebook: @LAmoreRosePhoto
- Twitter: @LAmoreRosePhoto
- Other: Fine art: kristarosephoto.com, Purchase fine art: https://lamorerosephotography.zenfolio.com/p434030655?customize=3 , Facebook Artist URL: @KristaRosePhoto
