Today we’d like to introduce you to Christina Esposito.
Christina, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’ve always been that friend to show up at family functions and intimate parties with my camera. Just for fun, I would photograph my friend’s kid’s birthday parties, baptisms, I’d shoot holiday portraits and offer headshots, things of that nature, all purely as a hobby.
Exploring this planet has always been another passion of mine and I soon became engulfed in travel photography. I discovered different cultures through my lens and documented it all, from the people, the food, the rituals and everything in between. It was not only beneficial to add to my portfolio, but it brought me joy.
I was truly inspired by my former instructor David I Muir, who I took a photography class with at Broward college in 2018. Initially, I had enrolled to refine my skills and learn more about the art, but after that class I started to see photography as something more and the potential for a real career that I loved. I was formerly a school teacher and a realtor, yet neither of those occupations ever quite clicked for me. So, I took a leap of faith and began promoting and charging for my services. Sure enough, people were willing to pay for my work and I was consistently encouraged by a wonderful support system at home. My very first client was a skincare studio in Boca Raton, called Me2Beauty who is still a client and friend today.
I specialize in lifestyle photography for marketing as well as portraiture. I enjoy the social aspect of working with people and there is nothing better for me as an artist than to make someone feel beautiful. I remember my first paid portrait session, it was for a woman’s 50th birthday and she wanted some photos of herself for her husband. When I delivered the photos, she cried over how happy she was with them. That was when I knew I was doing the right thing.
“The camera always points both ways. In expressing your subject, you also express yourself.” – Freeman Patterson
I belong to a local group called Creatives of South Florida, organized by my friend and colleague RJ Deed. It’s a really fun space where we all come together to share ideas, experiences and collaborate with each other. We’re made up of Photographers, Videographers, Writers and other creatives and always looking to expand our network.
Great, 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?
I wish it had been smooth, I wish I had been doing photography professionally ten years ago, but sometimes it takes you a little longer in life to find the right path. All I know is that now I am finally on it and I wouldn’t trade it for the world!
The biggest struggle I’ve had as a photographer was working for someone else. I started as a freelancer and then joined an agency because I thought it would be nice to work with likeminded people, but it didn’t quite turn out that way. It was a very negative experience working for people who didn’t care about the quality of the work or their employees. Greed can really destroy certain individuals. Needless to say, my relationship there didn’t last long and now I work on my own or often collaborate with other artists and establishments. Regardless I am grateful for the struggles and challenges I’ve faced in my field because it’s brought me to where I am now.
Please tell us about Christina Claire Photography.
Christina Claire Photography is your go to source in South Florida for personal branding, lifestyle and product photography. I work with a lot of entrepreneurs who are just getting their brand off the ground and small business owners. It’s so rewarding to see a brand transform and being able to deliver that vision to a client. I work with local fashion bloggers, The Solomon Sisters @stylishlysolomon and they are a perfect example of this, plus we have so much fun together.
I also specialize in family portraits and occasionally shoot events. I think I am probably best known for my unique editing style. I love warm tones and a soft airy look to my photos.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Growing up, I was actually quite the introvert. I still can be that way today. I’m a homebody and will typically choose dinner in over going out, but obviously in my field, you need to be somewhat outgoing and communicate with people. I was actually a Communication major during my undergrad at FAU so I have a pretty strong background in that department.
I always loved art class as a child and took an interest to photography at a very young age. I had it all, the disposable cameras, the polaroid’s, and dabbled in film. When digital cameras came to the market, it was mind-blowing. I still have stacks of albums in my mother’s house of photos from every vacation I ever took, every life event big or small. I would often make these photo albums for my friends too.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.christinaclairephotography.com
- Phone: 732-535-1005
- Email: christinaclairephoto@gmail.com
- Instagram: christinaclairephoto
Image Credit:
Personal photo by: Claudia Martel; Shot of me and friend with cameras by: David I. Muir
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