We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Krista Holden a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Krista, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

Once I figured out that for me to be happy in a job, I needed to be able to do a variety of things, I realized that my goal had shifted to become a freelance photographer and designer. I always wanted to become a professional photographer but wasn’t sure I’d be able to make the jump to doing it full time, for myself. The first step for me was getting a foot in the door with Trollhaugen’s marketing department, from there I formed important connections that lead to more work and incredible opportunities like working with Beyond the Boundaries women’s snowboard camp. After that and a short break from working a marketing position I connected with a local ski shop, Ski Hut, which offered me a marketing position I couldn’t refuse. I was able to do design, social media, photography, and event work for a small company where my voice mattered. After roughly a year and a half I switched to a contract position at Ski Hut, still doing all the marketing things, but with more freedom to take on other creative work and officially become a full time freelance photographer and designer. I don’t think I would change anything about how I got to where I am now, I take pieces from each job I have had and experience in different facets of the winter sports industry which have allowed me to figure out what I want to do, and apply my knowledge to my current work.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

When I was 14, I started teaching snowboarding lessons at my local hill in Minnesota where I worked through college, and beyond. This fueled my love of the winter snow sports industry and I considered staying in the resort/ski school management track but when I was in college studying graphic design and photography but realized I wanted to stay in the industry but in a marketing space. After college I worked at ski resorts managing social media and content which is when I realized my end goal was to become a freelance graphic designer and photographer specializing in snow sports industry work.

I am now based out of Duluth Minnesota as a freelancer and while my main focus is my snow sports industry clients, I am also growing as a wedding and engagement photographer! Duluth is so beautiful and I have found I love the contrast of shooting extreme sports, and also beautiful weddings and engagements surrounded by the beauty of Lake Superior. The connection between the two for me is that both are capturing passion, love, and nature, just in two very different forms.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I think one of the most misunderstood aspects of being a creative professional is asking someone to do something for “exposure”. While that may have been more impactful in a time when social media didn’t rule the world – now it can feel like an insult. “Exposure” doesn’t pay the bills or put food on the table. We also have the ability to create exposure on our own with use of social media and other platforms for freelance workers. My knowledge, time, and skills aren’t something I just happened upon, I went to college, I went to other furthering education workshops, I gave up my time to work on the project and none of these are free. If you ask me to do something for “exposure” it just tells me you don’t value my skills (or any creative’s skills).

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

Word of mouth for sure! I can’t stress enough how much it means when someone reaches out based on a recommendation of another client or friend. It reiterates that I have chosen the right path and that I am bringing people joy with my work as much as the work is bringing me joy. Seriously, if you love a small business of any kind, tell all of your friends. It means the world to us small business owners!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Kristalholden.com
• Instagram: Kstarholden and k.starphoto
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krista-holden-9ab704137?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios