Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristina Bozanich.
Hi Kristina, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
When I tell people my story, their eyes boggle because it is so far from what I do right now. When I started what I thought would be my lifelong career, I was in a different field and different part of the world. Ever since I was seventeen, I knew that I wanted to work with monkeys and apes. I idolized (and still do) Jane Goodall and read much about Dian Fossey.
In 2015, my husband and I moved to London, UK, for my master’s program in primatology. For my fieldwork, we lived also in Japan, and while abroad, we traveled across different parts of Europe. I started learning technical skills for photography to show others what we saw of the world. In London, we were hired for small photoshoots and gigs here and there while I continued my studies. Later, I expanded my photography by working with models in this fashion capital and practicing my makeup techniques. At the time, makeup and photography were mainly just hobbies.
When we came back to the U.S., we decided to move to Seattle, Washington. Working part-time, I created our business “Bozanich Photography” to satisfy my artistic urges and earn a little extra after my full-time job. During this stage, I truly developed my niche and sense of style. I worked with many models to develop my portfolio and began to accrue local clients. However, everything changed when we had our son and we realized that Seattle was too expensive for us to stay.
We relocated to Orlando, FL, where the first full-time job I found was being a biology high school teacher. It was in May of 2020 that I was given the opportunity to take my photography FULL-TIME and leave the teaching position I held. We purchased our home on the Saint Cloud & Lake Nona border, which has space for an in-home studio. With the new freedom of running my own business and making my own schedule, I hit the ground running to showcase my community what I can do!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Having gone to school for a different field entirely, I faced the struggle of becoming an expert in something I was not educated for. When others were binge-watching Netflix, I was watching How-To YouTube videos, checking out tutorial books, and researching many questions I had for becoming a photographer and makeup artist. My spare time for the past seven years has been devoted to improving my skill and knowledge. And now, not only have I grown in the area of photography and makeup, but also in business practices, marketing, accounting, and web design.
Another obvious struggle that I had to overcome is the slowdown that happens when you have a child. During my pregnancy, I became physically limited to do some of the stunts that I can pull now. Once my baby came, my business went completely dormant for many months. I did not have any time to focus on anything other than my family and my full-time job! When I finally came back online, I remember some friends saying, “I was wondering when we’d see you again!”. Lastly, starting a business in one state and moving to another is no easy task either. Having been in Saint Cloud, FL, for less than a year still, I am starting over in many ways. Networking is more important than ever!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My specialty is GLAMOUR. This means that I can beautify anyone and everyone! But, the kick is that I have my very own style to how I create an image – whether that it is with makeup or photo-editing. The most specialized service that I provide is a complete artistic portrait session. These are the ones that transform people and really get the most attention. Sometimes the transformations are for self-esteem boosting or merely to showcase another aspect or personality of that person. To give you an idea, I have made an autistic superhero, alien princess, dark witch and turned a person into an abstract sunset.
In October of 2020, I and a team of local artists began a Facebook Series called “SPECTACLE” where we do spontaneous and themed photoshoots live in public. The amount of coordination and pressure becomes high in some of these situations. Some of my proudest work has derived from these episodes! For our Thanksgiving theme, we conducted a night photoshoot in Lake Nona Town Center, live, with a dinner table, place settings, and a model covered in head to toe with flowers. In order to capture the best shots, I literally jumped on top of the table over the model while my team members made sure no one got hurt. We ended up getting a front cover feature from this shoot!
SPECTACLE is definitely putting me into unique scenarios that I never really pictured I would be in. Now, when my wedding clients ask about my ability to capture their wedding, I can respond with, “I’ve photographed a flash photo shoot on top of a ladder in town center. I can DEFINITELY handle your wedding.” Besides my unique niche of photography, the other thing that sets me apart from other photographers is the fact that I do makeup and that I do not limit my photography to only one genre. I do weddings, family, newborn, pet, headshots, business branding, and even have an online fine art collection.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
My husband definitely gets some kudos… he has gone along with some really wacky ideas and supported me in making this a business. Not many husbands would let their wives transform a part of their house into a studio. I’ve acquired quite a collection of backdrops, gear, props, and makeup, which in the beginning was funded completely by personal investment. My husband never knows what he will come home to… sometimes, I tell him he’s not allowed in that part of the house due to a half-naked client in a boudoir session; other times, I am completely covered in paint and glitter when he walks through the door.
Other big supporters that I have to list are my parents. My mom has always been a cheerleader for showcasing my talent and she tells me all the time how proud she is. My dad is not necessarily as vocal in this way, but he has been on the phone with me for countless hours, helping me with my accounting and taxes. His dedication and time shows me how much he cares!
Then there are my online supporters who I wouldn’t be here without! When you are in the artistic community like I am, getting feedback, engagement, and involvement is so important. I have to always thank my models, other photographers, and my clients who follow my work and continue to support me.
- Email: bozanichphotography@gmail.com
- Website: www.KristinaBozanich.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bozanichphotography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bozanichphotography
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/K_Bozanich
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChTo8xXj8dN7bMCzZsdXY1g
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/bozanich-photography-saint-cloud-2?utm_campaign=www_business_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@kristinabozanich
Image Credits
Photography by Bozanich Photography, makeup by Kristina Bozanich (For Thanksgiving image @poppytruck for floral design, @grovesalons for hair, @thestylinghouz for staging)
