So ever since I started my blog, I have been wanting to interview folks, other photogs and then vendors or just over all cool people. Thought about naming it Fuse Coffee Talks, Fuse Reviews, Feuza Ask’s so still wondering what is best name for this section so today it will under Fuse News. It will be every Friday and I am open to ideas, we will have some video on location with folks too and some very hip folks lined up already but I am very happy to kick it off with a great interview of fellow Fast Track member Kristi  Crosson who is offering something so unique for her brides and I love that! Looking forward to meeting you Kristi!

1. What is your photographic story? why photography

I have had a camera in my hand from a very young age. There’s a photo of me at the age of 8 with one of the 110mm rectangular cameras in my hand. Photography has always fascinated me and as a hobby, it was my creative outlet. I went to college for Theater and Biology intending to go to Physician’s Assistant School. One of my classes was in Black and White Film photography and I L.O.V.E.D. every moment of it. A year before I graduated college my amazing sister (who is also a photographer) bought me my first DSLR camera. The love of photography was kindled even more. Someone actually hired me that year (2006) to do senior portraits…I have certainly come a long way since then. In 2007, after graduating college, my best friend from elementary got married back east. I was the unofficial second photographer. When I got rave reviews from all of her family and friends about my images, I started considering that maybe I could be a professional photographer…part-time. So that was the beginning of my journey as a professional photographer, and the start of my love for photographing weddings.

2. What kind of work do you usually do?

I have captured images of events, families, newborns, teens, children, engagements, and weddings…pretty much anything. I now focus mainly on weddings and engagements, but have recently discovered a real passion for maternity and high school seniors. I love the excitement and joy associated with weddings and maternity, and for seniors… well, if you’ve been around teenagers much, you’d find out that they are a B.L.A.S.T.

3. Nikon Chick? Canon Babe or none of the above?

I am a Canon babe by default. My first DSLR camera was a Canon Rebel xTi. I now also shoot with a Canon 40D while I save up for that 5D Mark 2 that I have been dreaming of…

4.Tell me about your ideas for photographing the plus-sized bride, tips, ideas

As a married woman, who is overweight, I have a unique perspective on how it feels to be in the “Plus-Size” category. I think that our media does a great job at telling overweight women that they are not as beautiful as their skinny counterparts. I do a great job of telling those women otherwise. I believe (truly) that all women are beautiful, and it is up to me as a photographer to capture that beauty that is already there, and show it to them. I understand that there are certain angles that are just not as flattering to someone with a little more meat on their bones. So here are 4 tips from me to you about photographing the plus-size bride:

a. Don’t photograph them if you do not think that they are amazing and radiant and beautiful. Seriously. I have heard photographers

put down their plus sized clients and demean them on forums. If you don’t think they are truly beautiful and that you can make them

shine, don’t take their business.

b. Once you know that you are “for” your client, make sure to affirm them (you should be doing this anyways, but I think it is important to

note here) on their wedding day.

c. Angles, angles, angles. Its all about the angles. There is a little more to be aware of when photographing plus-sized brides. Arms for

instance. A good way to minimize arm size in any bride is to break it up. Use the veil to help frame her face, while bringing attention

away from the arms. In bride and groom shots, you can have the grooms hand on the upper part of the arm. Do not photograph a

larger bride straight on. Turn her body slightly, and look for flattering angles. Do not photograph her from below her face, if anything,

have the camera angle slightly above where she is standing or sitting. If she tilts her head up toward you, it can minimize a larger face

size.

d. I personally am against using photoshop to slim a bride down. I want her to see herself as beautiful whether she is big or not, and I feel

that by using photoshop to make them skinny, it perpetuates to idea that plus-sized brides are not beautiful. If you are not against it,

and your client wants it, then that is another option for you.

5.What is advice you would give for somebody just starting out?

To someone just starting out, who wants to start a photography BUSINESS, I would recommend that they learn everything they can about running a business successfully. Learn about branding, marketing, being a CEO, creating Standard Operating Procedures, etc. Also, I would recommend that they find a photographer who is willing to let them be an assistant or second photographer. Learn how to use the manual settings on your camera, learn about lighting, and using a flash effectively. It will save you a ton of time in the long-run. It will also help you determine what areas of photography you are passionate about, and have a knack for.

6. Where do you see your business in 5 years?

In 5 years’ time I see my business being a leader in “Redefining the Face of Beauty” one amazing bride at a time. I see it as a forerunner to show the world that beauty is more than the size of dress that a woman wears. Every woman is beautiful. I really do believe that.