We were lucky to catch up with Kristina Bozanich recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Kristina thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start with a fun one – what’s something you believe that most people in your industry (or in general) disagree with?

In today’s world, social media has absolutely transformed the way that we conduct business and market ourselves. There is a high pressure to have this online presence that constantly engages, responds, and adapts to the algorithms. There is a reason as to why social media management can cost thousands a month for a single business. Being in this industry myself, my own business even services social media management, content, and strategy.

I tell my own clients my personal belief that there must be a balance of other focuses to bring traffic to your business, besides social media. Social media can be absolutely overwhelming, especially for a small business owner or budding entrepreneur. To be successful in business, social media by itself should not take all of your time, energy, and value from what you do. I think that there are many who do get lost in this focus because of the perception of what social media can bring. Those who are inexperienced in building a business often perceive social media relational to success when this is in fact, not true or not always true.

Therefore, when advising my own clients, I am very candid about how we should present our brands, companies, or ourselves in methods that go beyond the online presence. As a creator, we should stick to the reasons why we create and present our art – to inspire, or merely for ourselves. By maintaining your core values to how and why you use social media, should attract the audience that is suitable for you, no matter the numbers behind it.

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

I’m Kristina Bozanich, the creative force behind Bozanich Photography Collaborative (BP Collab). When I started nine years ago as a young graduate with a camera, I did not know I was starting what is now a thriving business, thanks to incredible support over the years and through my community. Being an artist and photographer, I craft visuals for brands, companies, individuals, and for artistic projects. About three years ago, I expanded my company to include expertise beyond photography. Currently, BP Collab offers expertise also in videography, to content strategy, and branding.

In my company’s 9+ years of history, I have worked with 150+ creatives, been published internationally and nationally for my art and advocacy, and featured in publications such as The Guardian, Reuters, CNN, and Business Insider. In my business, I have served clients in the Greater Orlando area, through to the west coast, and as far the UK. I and my collaborative are known to represent the creative community and have put an active effort in uniting and educating creatives. In the past year, my Creator’s Conference brought experts in this industry together in the form of a workshops, presentations, and highly involved discussions.

Serving as a founder of Proud in the Cloud (a St. Cloud, FL pride event and community), I continue to be an ally to the LGBTQ+ community in time, commitment, and energy all year round. In being part of this advocacy, I have been deeply rewarded with the best of friendships and meaningful memories from this group. This past October of 2024, I was surprised with the honor of a Congressional Record by Darren Soto of the Florida House of representatives for my commitment and dedication to LGBTQIA+ advocacy.

Have you ever had to pivot?

It is completely natural for a business’s brand to evolve. Mine certainly has at least three times! I think that many people are afraid of change but often change is necessary to stick close to your target industry and clientele.

When I first began my creative media business, I made my own logo, which is not even worth sharing… Honestly, looking at it now is quite embarrassing! When I rebranded in 2016, I was living in Seattle and wanted to connect more with a Pacific Northwest audience. My company name “Bozanich Photography” remained the same, but my logo depicted mountains behind the lettering to build that PNW connection.

When I later moved to Orlando, I realized that my branding needed to pivot into something more broad, elevated, and timeless. I hired a professional who took my creative idea and made it come to life. I changed my brand colors to black and gold which had more of a luxury and modernized appeal. The ink splat behind the letters are more figuratively creative and leave more flexibility in representation. This final brand change is one that I don’t think I’ll need stray from, and I am glad that I pivoted when I did.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Waking up every day to be paid to create is reward itself.

For many years, creatives often create for free or conduct trades just to get to a point of showing an audience of what they are capable of. I remember the struggle internally of thinking “Do I call myself an artist?” and the financial difficulties of “How do I get paid to do this more often?”.

It takes many years of building and trusting in your ability to create as a profession. When you finally are where you feel like you’re coasting and doing what makes you happy every day, that is truly the best reward for all of the hard work that’s been put in.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.KristinaBozanich.com
• Instagram: @bp.collab / @kristinabozanich
• Facebook: @bp.collab / @kristinabozanich
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinabozanich/
• Youtube: @kristinabozanich
• Other: TikTok: @kristinabozanich

Image Credits

Pictured: Proud in the Cloud 2024, Self (Kristina Bozanich), Tina Renee, Mely Varela, Caroline Walker, Payton Marchele, Gabrielle Timothy, self with Ray-Ban Meta AI Glasses