We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kristina Tyryshkina. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kristina below.

Kristina, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Alright, let’s jump into one of the most exciting parts of starting a new venture – how did you get your first client who was not a friend or family?

Like all photographers, I started out by taking pictures of family and friends. Thanks to imposter syndrome, I lagged a bit at this stage, but eventually, that day came. The day of my first paid photoshoot. It was five years ago. A girl reached out to me asking to photograph her family (mom, dad and son). I was very nervous the whole evening and night before the shoot. You know, imagining all these things that could go wrong (none of which, of course, happened).
And then I met the family. My heart literally stopped. I saw an adorable red-haired curly boy (needless to say, I adore redheads). It was literally my dream – to photograph such a type. Although at first boy was very shy (he was only 4 years old) and hid behind his mom, but then we all relaxed and had a great time. The family loved everything, and after the photoshoot, I was very happy and very tired.
When I received payment for the shoot, I still couldn’t believe it: could it really be this way? Making money from what you genuinely love, rather than what you have to do due to circumstances or when you don’t yet know what you want to do? It’s just an incredible feeling!
By the way, I just checked now – this girl still has a photo I took five years ago as her profile picture. It’s very touching and important to me.

Kristina, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m a portrait and family photographer based in Helsinki.

I’m enjoying to capture people’s special moments: happy, romantic, touching, alive. Whether it’s a big event or just an ordinary day, I’d love to help preserve these precious memories. Being a mom myself, I know how quickly time flies and how important it is to hold onto those moments. ​Also I truly believe, that photoshoot is a perfect way to feel beautiful in life’s memorable phases or to give yourself a boost when you need it the most.

I have a passion for minimalist and natural photography. So that nothing distracts from the main focus (the person and their emotions) and people recognized themselves in the photographs. In my creative shoots, I enjoy adding a touch of drama and artistry.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Hmm, I’ve never consciously thought about it, I think this has always been intuitive. In my work, I pursue one goal – to see beauty, capture it, and help others see it too.

How many times people have come to me and said: “I never look good in photographs. I have a silly nose/ears/put in something of yours.” And my heart breaks in those moments. You are unique, you are beautiful. It may sound cliché, but it’s the truth that many forget.

As for family photos, I have a very personal story connected to them – my parents took very few pictures of me when I was little, and then they lost all the albums with my childhood photos altogether. Perhaps this became a kind of trauma for me, so it became important for me to preserve these moments for other people.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

This turning point was no doubt the birth of my daughter.

It’s like being thrown out of the external world and finding yourself in your own new world, with a bunch of previously unknown emotions, experiences, and issues. It wouldn’t be fair to say that it was the easiest time. Creativity took a back seat. Photography narrowed down to capturing the sole model – the baby with the most charming smile in the world.

At the same time, maternity leave gave me the time to miss photography and immerse myself in it with new energy and knowledge (yes, watching courses is exactly what you can do while your daughter sleeps on you and you can’t move).

After my daughter was born, clients with children became even closer to me. Because I started to understand more about what it’s like to be a parent and became even more immersed in these shoots.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://minussight.com/
• Instagram: @minussight