Rising Stars: Meet Krystal Blase

Today we’d like to introduce you to Krystal Blase.

Hi Krystal, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I picked up my very first camera at age 6 and grew up seeing my dad’s film photography that he shot through the years. The stuff I remember the most is the shots he took when he bicycled across the country from Boston to San Francisco (yes on a bicycle and it took him 3 months to do it!) You could say photography has always been a deep love of mine which I was fortunate enough to have grown into a full time business. I started building a portfolio by shooting with friends around 18 years old and always did photography as a side job here and there until I quit my full-time day job in 2010 at the age of 26 determined to pursue my businesses focusing on weddings and portraits full time.

Now, almost 12 years later, I have built something I am so incredibly proud of. I have shot around 300+ weddings spanning across Florida and all over the United States and beyond as well as thousands of sessions through the years with some truly amazing people. I have to take a second sometimes to realize how far I have come and where I am now and truly appreciate that. It has not always been an easy road at all but it has been 100% worth it and I am so grateful I get to do what I love for a living!

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has definitely not always been a smooth road! I think anyone who starts any sort of business or works for themselves can say it’s not always easy and you ultimately have to decide if it’s worth it in those moments of hardship. I have had everything from some really hard learning curves business-wise in the beginning, years that weren’t as busy as others and all of the up’s and down’s in between. I can thankfully say that the good has far outweighed the bad and made this journey worth it. But the tougher times definitely hit you differently.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a wedding and portrait photographer serving mainly Jacksonville and St. Augustine, FL but I travel anywhere someone wants me (example: for destination type weddings or elopements)

I specialize in Weddings, Engagements, Boudoir, Families, Newborns, Maternity and Birth Stories. But I also do a lot of branding and lifestyle work for businesses and small professionals too.

I am known for,, I would say my editing style as well as how I shoot very authentic moments and not always posed ones. Also my professionalism and my goofy personality which usually keeps people laughing and comfortable when I am working with them. 🙂

I am most proud of the work I produce and the amazing clientele I have grown over the years. Getting to work with people for everything from their engagement, wedding, maternity, newborn and then family session as the years go on and documenting all of these amazing and important life events is pretty incredible. Knowing people love my work and trust me enough to be the one to do that is the best feeling.

I think my quality of work as well as the balance of professionalism while still being authentically “me” has created longtime clients (some that have turned into great friends). And also the fact that I genuinely care so deeply about the memories I am trusted with capturing and don’t ever take the job lightly.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I grew up in Boston, MA until my family moved to Jacksonville, FL in 2000 when I was 14. I would describe myself as kind of a loner when I was a kid and into my early teens. I don’t think I really came out of my shell until around 16 when I got my first job working at Blockbuster Video but I was still in an awkward stage and coming into myself for a while there. I loved movies, all types of music and of course photography. Ironically I think photography made me realize I am naturally very extroverted. You have to be so comfortable directing people while making them feel comfortable in front of your camera (while also knowing what you are doing technicality-wise). Through the years, I have gained a level of confidence not only in my work but myself while shooting for others who trust me to take their photos, especially during important moments.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.westhousephotography.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/westhousephotography
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/westhousephotography