My journey into photography started much longer than 10 years ago.

Around 1993, when my family lived in central Wisconsin, my mom gave me her Kodak Pocket Instamatic 20 camera. Purchasing 110mm film and flash cubes with babysitting cash, I photographed my family and a summer vacation to the U.P., a connection to where my maternal great-grandmother used to live.

With my first and only Kodak, I wanted to be a photographer!

In high school, my only opportunity for art and photography was the Journalism class at Jones County High in Murdo, SD. I had since passed the Kodak and had moved on to a Minolta SLR, using 35 mm film.

I purchased my first Nikon, the N80, in the early 2000’s. A great basic 35 mm film camera that I still have stored away. I can’t bring myself to part with it. You never know when it might come in handy.

With the N80, I immersed myself into a B&W photography class at a community college in northern Illinois. I learned so much in that class, such as the basics of exposure in Manual mode and have rarely moved from manual since!

When Marty and I got married, I wanted to start a photography business. All I had was my Nikon N80, a speed-light and one lens. I photographed a few weddings, several seniors and a few families. I’d been told that was where to start making money in photography.

But, I didn’t really like it.

No one recommended I figure out what area of photography I wanted to focus on (haha!) and make a go of it. I only ever heard that “portraits are where the money is.” That very well may be, but not everyone is cut out for that business.

Instead, I decided to go rogue and bushwhack my own trail.

I applied and was accepted into my first juried art show, Sidewalk Arts Festival in downtown Sioux Falls. My grandparents were visiting during that time and came to see my first art show booth. It’s bittersweet for they have now since both passed away. Papa a few years ago and Grandma just this summer.

I didn’t have the perfect booth, but started with what I could afford. I learned so much that first show of what worked and what didn’t (which was pretty much everything).

My first tent was too dark and I had too much gaped space that didn’t help the eyes move around. One of my homemade panels was bumped by a neighboring booth and fell over, breaking glass in a frame.

A business that’s constantly seeking how to improve is a business that will grow and be sustainable. It’s true for Cristen Joy Photography as well as our ranch. My husband has exemplified this with Roghair Hay & Cattle. “This is how we’ve always done it,” rarely builds a business.

When I started attending art shows, I never considered some extra perks like meeting so many people who became clients who became friends. The art show world is also like a family of artists. So many artists along the way become good friends and you get the opportunity to see them grow and achieve.

As I continue to grow in my field of photography, I’ve also had the privilege of receiving several awards and one national recognized! It’s very validating of one’s work to be recognized in this way.

The following are award winning photographs:

Since day one, this business has grown and continues to grow. I’m so thankful to all who have purchased photographs over the years, big pieces or small. Each matters and has greatly encouraged this mom who felt lost until she found her calling as an artist.

As I consider the future, my goal is to press on by continuously creating quality photographs that celebrate the prairie and this state that has become my home.

Art is a reflection of God’s creativity, an evidence that we are made in the image of God.

-Francis Shaeffer

---