Today we’d like to introduce you to Johanna Kitzman.
Johanna, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Growing up I felt like I was always the least artsy person in my family. My grandpa was a huge painter of landscapes and I’ve always loved looking at his paintings (some as old as from the 1930s). My older sister is a great designer and seamstress and my younger sister is the singer in the family.
And then there was me, always wanting to sing and act, but never making the cut. I tried all the artsy outlets; musicals, acting, dancing, but it wasn’t until photography came into my life that I found my calling.
I remember always loving to take my dad’s camera (the old automated film cameras we had in the 90s) and getting pictures of us traveling. And to this day, there’s nothing more soothing than grabbing an old album and reminiscing about exploring Europe with my parents. Or hearing my mom tell the stories of generations in the past I never had the pleasure of meeting.
That to me is what photography is all about. It’s capturing the people in a time that never will be again. It’s about telling a story and capturing moments so that those who come after can remember, learn and preserve treasured moments. It’s part of our family history. Without photography, and without prints and albums, we’d never know what our great, great grandparents looked like. We wouldn’t understand how they lived or how their lives shaped the future we live in.
This mindset is what fuels my passion for photography. Once I bought my first “real” camera I didn’t put it down. I kept shooting, exploring and learning. It was the first thing in my life where I could spend hours upon hours reading and watching YouTube videos without getting bored. My mind was consumed with photography and what I wanted to learn next. And turns out, it was my artsy outlet. It was what I was good at.
Today I am so blessed to be able to use photography on a daily basis. Capturing the first moments of a baby’s life. Telling a family’s story as they grow and flourish through beautiful images that they can share with their family generations down the line.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The mind of a creative is a constant rollercoaster. You always want to be better, to improve and develop. Which means you are constantly judging your own work. Thinking you could do better. You are your own worst critic and I think that’s been the biggest struggle of all. Never really stopping to appreciate how far I’ve come since I started.
There’s also the struggle of trying to find your niche and deciding how you want to run your business. I love photographing everything, from babies and families, to weddings and fashion. But from a business perspective it doesn’t always make sense to marketing to everything. Sometimes you have to pick one path and develop that skill. Because I’d rather be amazing at one thing than decent at several projects. Because in the end I know that my photographs are what will tell a family’s story for years, so they better be great!
Please tell us about Studio Freyja.
My company name Studio Freyja has a very special meaning to me. When I rebranded a couple of years ago I wanted to find something that tied in with my background (I grew up in Sweden) while also told the story of what I do (capturing the love between family members).
I actually have to give my husband credit for my business name though. As we were brainstorming one day he came across the nordic goddess of love and fertility, Freyja. And it was perfect. It was everything I was looking for. While several business experts have said that it’s not a great idea to have a business name that people can’t pronounce (because they’ll forget it easier). I believe it’s more important to have a business name that speaks about who you are and what you do; because your business is you.
Studio Freyja is a Fine Art Newborn and Portrait Photography Studio. I specialize in posed studio newborn images (as compared to lifestyle newborn photography). It is extremely important to understand that when hiring a photographer for studio newborn pictures you ensure they have the proper training. While newborns are more resilient than we give them credit for, they’re still just fresh out of the womb. Incorrect posing can give them injuries for life. Many images you see online are actually composites of multiple images to ensure the baby is safe the entire time. I am constantly studying other professional newborn photographers to ensure I understand and know the right safety techniques and posing needed for a newborn session. I always want baby and parents to feel safe and comfortable during their session.
Each image is a reflection of your family’s dynamic and personalities. Your photographs will not only be a snapshot, it will be an art piece of emotion, of love and of joy. Each image is personally picked and edited by me. Your albums and prints have carefully been curated to give you only the best quality. While I understand that we live in a digital age and people want to share their images on social media, our studio is a print first studio. It is always our goal to have you walk away with a beautiful album or a big wall art piece from your session. Because in the end, it’s the physical products that will last in your family. Its what people will see when they walk in to your home. And it’s what they’ll pick up as they sit on your couch wanting to hear about your family’s adventures.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I don’t think I’d necessarily start over, but I wish I could go back in time and talk to myself. I believe everything I’ve learned so far has brought me to where I am today. But I wish I could tell myself to believe in myself more. To trust my instincts and follow my own path and vision instead of worrying so much about what other people think.
Obviously, my clients wish and tastes are very important. However, I also believe that my photographs are a reflection of who I am. And if I worry too much about what other people think, then I’ll lose myself in the process and consequently loose the passion, love and emotion that makes my photographs what they are.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.studiofreyja.com
- Phone: 612-655-4991
- Email: contact@studiofreyja.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/studiofreyjaportraits
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/studiofreyjaportraits
Image Credit:
Headshot of me: Kayla Illies Photography
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