Meet Chrystal Starr | Brand Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chrystal Starr Photography and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chrystal Starr, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Oh gosh, there is a considerable amount of risk involved when you decide to ditch the 9-5 life and jump into working for yourself to create a freelance career! You take a risk by quitting your job(s), you take risks when you invest what little money you have into your business, hoping you’ll get a solid return on your investments. You even take a risk when you learn something new because the first time you try it, you may fail at it, but that’s the beauty of it. You’ll never learn unless you try and fail first. Leaving your comfort zone inspires motivation though, therefore growth only comes from getting uncomfortable. If you’re not taking risks, then you’re not growing and living to your fullest potential.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

I’m a photographer for brands who are ready to create custom content and inspire customers to invest in their products. I produce carefully constructed imagery that elevates a brands visual presentation.

When I was learning photography in college, I remember saying to myself, “Product photography is SO boring! Posing inanimate objects isn’t fun, I’d rather photograph people!” and I really stuck my foot in my mouth with that thought. Little did I know that years later I would absolutely fall in LOVE with product photography and am on my way to making it a full-time career. There is so much creative collaboration and set styling involved that product photography has turned into a fun and rewarding challenge to produce. Between choosing different background colors and props, creating uniquely stylized scenes with flowers or fruit, and utilizing color harmony, product photography is a process of breathing life into otherwise inanimate objects.

Being a freelance photographer means I can set my own schedule, choose projects I’m passionate about, and allows me the freedom to be creative and collaborative with my clients. It is refreshing getting to work with so many different types of brands and people, which keeps work stimulating and rewarding.

This year I’ve invested an incredible amount of time and resources into continuing my photography and business education, building up my Instagram, networking within the photography community, creating test shoots for my portfolio, and increasing my equipment inventory. I’m excited to see how much I’ll grow in 2023 and am looking forward to continuing to enhance my business, increase my clientele, and expand my professional network.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I enjoy beer, so I’d take them to Angel City or Golden Road Brewery. For dinner, my go-to spot is Noshi Sushi, or the speakeasy Lock & Key, which has a fun way to get inside. My favorite bars are Boardner’s by La Belle or Thai Angel. For nighttime dancing, I’d take them to the Abbey in WeHo! For a daytime adventure, I’d take them to Larchmont Village, thrifting at Out of the Closet, or swimming at Manhattan beach.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

I’d like to thank two freelance professional friends of mine who have been there for me to guide me through my career path. First, my photographer friend Steven Sandler who has encouraged me when I’ve doubted myself, and second, my designer friend Nicholas Ryan Howard who has given me innovative ideas to transform my business. Both have cheered me on, referred me work, and given me advice when I needed it the most.

I would also like to shoutout two brand photography communities that I’m a part of: Weekend Creative and Amanda Campeanu. The resources and feedback I receive from these communities has truly helped me grow and learn and I’m so thankful.

Website: https://www.chrystalstarrphoto.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrystalstarrproducts/

Image Credits
Headshot: Chanelle Barona Photography All Others: Chrystal Starr Photography (portfolio work test shoots)