Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristin Yoder.
Hi Kristin, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hi, I’m Kristin – Owner of Kristin Yoder Photography! I’m a Savannah & Bluffton-based photographer specializing in family, couples, newborn, and maternity photography.
Ever since I was little, I’ve always had a deep connection to and a love of all things photography related. I remember a moment where my dad took out his camera and showed me how to find the light through the lens to capture these incredible bursts of light shining through the trees. That memory stuck with me and, looking back, was the beginning of my love for photography.
Documenting authentic and joyful moments has always my passion – although it took me years to finally take the leap of faith (and courage) to put my work out there for the world to see. Even though I have done photography for over a decade, I spent the majority of my career in the legal field. It is absolutely terrifying to put yourself out there to be judged – or worse, to fail. The one thing I’ve learned, though, is it’s better to have tried and failed than to never have tried at all.
Growing up, all I ever wanted was to be a wife and mom. That is what I thought would define me. If you know me, then you know that I think kids are the “bees-knees.” After pulling myself out an abusive marriage in my thirties, I moved back home to Savannah and began my journey of figuring out exactly who I wanted to be. If I wasn’t going to be a wife or mom, then who did I want to be? What made ME happy? What difference can I make? That was when I realized that photography was more than something I loved doing; it is my passion.
Shortly after my return home, both my dad and stepdad were diagnosed with cancer, with our family losing my dad much too soon in life. Can I just say – cancer really sucks. One thing about my dad, though, was that he really lived his life, and he had the photos to prove it. It’s one thing to hear someone’s story; it’s another thing to document it so that it can be shared for generations to come. That’s when it hit me – the “why” of why I do what I do. To capture the joyful + genuine moments. To document our stories.
I believe in more than just taking photos; I believe in truly documenting your genuine + authentic moments with real, tangible photographs. That is why I include an investment credit with each of my photography collections that goes towards heirloom prints, artwork, or albums. Thumb drives and CDs are great for storing electronic copies, but one day those will be extinct, just like the floppy disc. What have stood the test of time, the things you and your loved ones will look back on are tangible, hold-in-your-hand photographs.
As for where I am today…I’m married to the love of my life, my best friend, and biggest cheerleader-Jason (he’s the one to thank for the fear of failure advice above!). I have two incredible stepdaughters, three rescued fur babies, am whole-heartedly serving my photography clients in Savannah, Bluffton, and the Low Country, and am living (and documenting) a life well-lived.
I’m so incredibly thankful for everyone who supported me in pursuing my passion over the years. It has been an honor to capture their stories. I’d love to capture yours, too.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Oh gosh – the road to where I am now was about as smooth as Savannah’s cobblestone streets! Most of us can relate in one way or another to the fear of putting ourselves out there for others to judge us – especially those of us who create because what we create is directly tied to our own self. After years of not feeling good enough or worrying about failing, my sweet husband (then boyfriend) encouraged me to finally take the leap to follow my dreams.
Photography isn’t just something that I enjoy – it is my passion. It is was brings me {joy}. Being a Type-A person, I didn’t want to put myself out there until I had everything set up perfectly or had it all figured out, but then was reminded that I was missing out on so much more in “the waiting”. What I’ve realized is that the timing is rarely ever going to be perfect and that we all are constantly growing and evolving… what really matters is that we take that first step (even if it feels more like a freefall). I’ve accepted that I could fail and realized that not even trying would be the biggest failure.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
What do I do? I document joyful + genuine memories for my clients + their loved ones. My session types include family sessions, couples’ sessions, newborn sessions, maternity sessions, and intimate weddings.
What am I known for? Most of my clients compliment me about: 1) how well I work with children; 2) that their sessions are always enjoyable and relaxing; 3) their client experience; and 4) my recommendations for the best spots in town (I’m such a foodie)!
What am I most proud of? The growth I’ve made over the years and seeing my sweet clients year after year. I will always put in the work so that I am able to provide each of my clients with the best experience while also documenting timeless memories that they will be able to enjoy and cherish for years to come.
What sets me apart from others? Who I am – genuinely, authentically, joyfully. My clients know that I will be by their side throughout the entire process – from the initial planning stages to picking out which shoe goes best with their outfit to fixing their hair during the session or being their biggest hype girl to hanging their artwork in their home. I have hid surprises for spouses, planned sunset cruises and proposals, cried with clients over tragedies they’ve faced, snuggled newborns so mom and dad can get a moment to relax. We will laugh, we may cry, I may play duck goose with your children and offer to babysit afterwards so you can have some ‘you’ time (yep – that’s happened). What will happen, though – you will have a joyful experience with memories to cherish, and I will have hopefully gained a new friend.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
You know the quirky girl in the movies who was friends with everyone, didn’t really know a stranger, the funny yet oddball personality, and had some difficult teenage years? Well, that sums it up pretty well. I grew up playing outside until dark, wanting to create things or do something creative. I played in the mud and climbed trees with my brother and spent what felt like eternity practicing piano. I wanted to rescue every animal I could find – and that hasn’t changed much to date! Summertime on the river was a little slice of heaven. My soul still craves being near open water, which is why the Low Country will always be home for me.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kristinyoderphotography.com
- Instagram: www.instragram.com/kristinyoderphotography
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/kristinyoderphotography
Image Credits
@kristinyoderphotography
