Today we’d like to introduce you to Christi Blanton
Hi Christi, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I fell in love with cameras when I was really young. I used to dream about being a YouTuber, always filming with my parents’ VHS-C camera around the house. Those videos went nowhere, of course. My Grandad really inspired me; he recorded everything—all of the grandkids’ choir concerts, sports games, every Christmas, even just the summers of all of us grandkids running around him and my grandmother’s backyard.. He was so present in our lives and just loved what he did. Everywhere he went, he had his camera.
During my freshman year of college, instead of getting a regular winter break job, I asked my Grandad if I could use his camera to take photos of my friends and their boyfriends. Though the photos definitely were not the best, it was a start.
Things just kind of grew from there. People at my college and church started asking for photos, and eventually, I shot my first engagement and then was asked to do a wedding. I had no idea how big of a turning point this would be for me. The next few years of college, I began regularly photographing weddings. Once I graduated college, I was able to pursue my business full-time.
In the fall of 2023, I got married and moved from Dallas-Fort Worth to San Diego, where my husband is stationed. The change of scenery has definitely sparked a creativity in me that wasn’t there in Texas. I’ve been able to remain full-time for 3 years. I truly believe everything in my business is a blessing from the Lord. It’s so important to me to carry on the characteristics of my Grandad—being personable, humble, loving, and present. I want to continue his legacy in everything I do.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One of the biggest obstacles I’ve faced was starting my business in college. My parents were understandably concerned about me not having a steady winter break job and saw my photography as more of a hobby I was trying to profit from. Honestly, they weren’t entirely wrong—I was trying to avoid a traditional job so I could spend time with my then-boyfriend (now husband), who was in the military and only home for the holidays. Balancing making money, pleasing my parents, and prioritizing time with him was a big challenge.
Navigating college itself was tough, with an internship, a part-time job, and my business all on my plate. But the hardest time came when I moved from Texas to San Diego to join my husband after years of long distance while he was stationed there. Adjusting to a new city was overwhelming—I didn’t have a network here, marketing wasn’t working yet, and went through a dry spell with zero bookings for months. It was scary, especially since my business had been my main source of income.
During that time, I took on a part-time job while continuing to pour into my photography. Over time, my husband and I were able to work together to navigate that season, and eventually, I was able to transition fully back into running my business full-time. It wasn’t just me—it was definitely a team effort between the two of us. That experience taught me a lot about perseverance and adaptability, and I’m so grateful we made it through together.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
First and foremost, I am a follower of Christ, and my heart and faith are the foundation of everything I do. It impacts the way I approach people and how I run my business. I pray for my couples before I even meet them, as soon as they book me, and throughout their entire wedding process. However, I’m also deeply passionate about serving couples regardless of their beliefs. I want to meet them where they are and extend love in a way that reflects Christ, even if they don’t share the same faith.
I am a wedding photographer, and I also photograph couples outside of weddings. I specialize in creating authentic, personal experiences for my couples, and I’m proud of how much I pour into them every step of the way.
I’m known for my approach and my personality. In this field, things can feel very materialistic or overly focused on appearances, but I really strive to stay authentic and real, even when it comes to myself. I’m not this prim and proper girl—I’ve always been a little quirky. I have a dorky sense of humor, I’m sarcastic, and my blunt humor is a bit hit-or-miss with people, but that’s okay! I think it’s important to connect with couples in a real way because, on a wedding day, your photographer is around you so much, and it’s crucial to resonate with who they are.
That said, although I have a quirky personality, I’ve been told many times that I’m a source of peace and reassurance for my couples. That’s something I genuinely strive for. This season of life can be so overwhelming—I got married in twenty twenty-three, so I know firsthand how stressful wedding planning can be. If I can be a source of encouragement, calm, and reassurance throughout the process, that makes me happy.
What sets me apart is how I care about the entire experience for my couples. I’m not just there to take pictures on the wedding day. I work to build a relationship with my couples before anything is even signed. For engagement sessions, I collaborate with them to find locations that resonate with their vision—or, if they don’t have a vision, I help them uncover it. I timeline prep with them months out, sit down for calls to ensure everything flows smoothly, and stay with them through the entire process, even after delivering their gallery.
I don’t want my couples to feel like this is just a transaction or a simple photo shoot. I want their personalities and stories to shine through in every image we create. Photos hold so much power—they capture memories, emotions, and moments that people hold onto forever. It’s important to me that my couples see themselves authentically in their images. I’m proud of how I create that environment, how much I pour into each couple, and how I bring their personalities into every part of their day.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
What I love most about San Diego is its natural beauty and variety. You have the ocean on one side and the mountains on the other, and the sunsets over the water are something I never take for granted. The weather is also so consistent, which is amazing for my work as a photographer, since I’m outside all the time. Plus, there’s always something new to explore. Whether it’s a hidden corner of the city or a new spot in nature, it feels like there’s an endless list of places to discover. I also appreciate the diversity here—so many different people and perspectives make it a really dynamic place.
That being said, what I like least is how crowded it can feel and how expensive it is to live here. The demand to live in such a beautiful place comes with a price, and I definitely feel that financial strain. Moving from Texas, where the cost of living is much lower, it can be a little overwhelming at times. The high cost of just basic living expenses, combined with how many people are here, can be discouraging. I understand why people flock to San Diego—it’s a gorgeous place to live—but sometimes the financial pressures that come with it can be really tough to manage.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/capturesbychristi
