In The Spotlight with Cristy & John Nielsen
May 1st, 2008
Name?
Cristy and John Nielsen
Nickname for each other?
Cristy: Depends on the day and depends on the mood…lol!
John: Hey now, be nice. Babe, Baby (in a good way).
Studio or Location or both?
Cristy: Both, we shoot mostly weddings so we can be found pretty much anywhere. We’re not fans of being cooped up in the studio, and with the beautiful Florida scenery it’s more fun to go outside!
John: Wherever is most comfortable for the client.
Company/Business Name?
Cristy Nielsen Photography
Where in the world are you located?
Central Florida, our studio is in Winter Park.
Age/s (if you care to share)?
Cristy: 32 John: 33
Children?
We have two girls, ages 6, Shaylee and 4 months, Camdyn.
How long have you been married?
Married 7 years, together 13 years.
Where did you meet (or how)?
We worked for the same company and were traveling from Denver, CO to Long Beach, CA for a training. Spent 3 days straight together on a road trip in a 15 passenger van… haven’t left each other’s sides for long since.
Favorite place to go together?
Cristy: Anywhere alone and without kids, it’s a luxury and rarity these days!
John: I will agree. Time alone, other than side by side at the computers is definitely valued.
Favorite tv shows?
Cristy: 24, CSI’s, Greys, Desperate Housewives
John: Seriously though….how did we ever get along without DVR? Two and a Half Men, Boston Legal, Miami or Hollywood Ink, and just about anything on Discovery Channel in HD.
Who hogs the remote?
Cristy: Definitely John!! Can’t you tell, look at his LIST!
John: Huh…..??????
Favorite drink/s?
Cristy: no booze, sweet tea. with booze, Grey Goose and Pineapple with a splash of grenadine
John:no booze, original Coke. with booze, big red wines, Crown on the rocks, or a Guinness Stout.
Who steals all the covers at night?
Cristy: Lately, John.
John: Lately? Since when do you sleep with covers?
Can He/She cook?
Cristy: John is a wizard in the kitchen!
John: Yeah, Cristy can cook. Does Macaroni and Cheese count???
Your Wheels?
John:‘07 Toyota Tacoma - Silver & Black baby!!
Cristy: ‘08 Honda Pilot
How long have you been working together?
Cristy: We met working together, then got separate jobs for many years, then joined back up doing photography together for the last 2 years.
How long have you been a photographer?
Cristy: First paying client was in 2001, so wow 7 years. Had a camera in my hand since I was 5.
John:Was given the task of shooting my aunt’s wedding when I was 14. Played mostly since then. Did not really take it seriously until a few years ago when Cristy asked me to help out at a wedding. Now I can’t wait for the next shoot.
What is your niche?
Cristy: Our main presence is in “women’s” photography, so weddings, boudoir, maternity… I love showing women their beauty through my lens. Our goal at CNP is to cater to and find clients that appreciate and value the art of photography.
John: I like that Cristy, women’s photography….works for me.
What is your style?
Cristy: First and foremost I love to see emotion in my images. I would say I’m a little eclectic, and like to push the edge a bit, but still keep a little bit of a traditional feel.
John: Mostly PJ. I get to sit back most of the time and capture things from an off camera angle.
Do you play nicely together?
Cristy: Ahhh that subject is a fun one… we play nice most of the time, but it is definitely a challenge to work with your spouse. We’ve had our share of disagreements and growing pains finding our way on this journey.
John: We play a lot nicer now. I have learned to respect and appreciate what Cristy has created and done with this business.
Each one have a certain role in the business?
Cristy: What isn’t my role?? Seriously…lol.
John: I deal with the books and the business side. Organizer, pack rat and general grunt when it comes to the equipment. When shooting, I focus on small details…ties, jackets, jewelry, stray hairs, dress detail, etc.
Who has the final say (if a photo makes it to proofing)?
Cristy: Me
John: Cristy.
What makes you two tick?
Cristy: Working towards our dream!
John: A strong pot of coffee in the morning. Providing a quality life for my family.
What one thing drives you crazy about your partner?
Cristy: OCD anyone???
John: Only one? hmmmmmm
Favorite image your husband captured?
Favorite image your wife captured?
I have two.
If you were both stranded on an island with just 1 camera, who gets it?
Cristy: Hmm… we’d probably share it so we can both be in on the fun.
John: Yeah, I think we would share too.
Your Gear?
Cristy: 5D with 24-70 2.8L lens most of the time, although I have been enjoying my stolen moments with our 70-200 2.8L IS
John:5D with 70-200 2.8L IS, is there anything else? Well maybe a wide angle now and again.
What makes you different from the other photogs in your area?
Cristy: We are a team and being married is a benefit to our business. We really work to keep our clients for life and make them part of our lives by keeping in touch. Personal relationships with them are everything to us.
John: We like to have fun and enjoy the time we spend with our clients. I think our personalities and photos reflect that.
If photography is not your full time job, what other capes do you wear?
Cristy: Wife and Mom first and foremost! We homeschool so that is another job in itself. Food supply to our four month old baby girl… I also volunteer for our local birth network.
John: Besides the Daddy thing, there is the wife thing, and the homeowner thing. My full time BOJ is handling pension & 401(k) plans for companies. ERISA fun, oh joy. The financial aspects of CNP, second shooting at all weddings and any other gigs Cristy wants me at.
Final words / Advice to others wanting to work with their spouses?
Cristy: Don’t sweat the small stuff, and enjoy the ride!
John: Figure out what each others strengths are, and work together around them. Cristy is an amazing photographer and a wiz on the computer. I am detail oriented and good at the financial end of things. Also communicate with each other. Talk things out. A simple explanation of how or why goes a long way.
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