Meet Katrina Christ — O & E L’s November Woman of the Month
Ever
walked into a friend’s house and seen gorgeous black, white and
coloured photographs of their family posing naturally and looking
gorgeous together? Chances are, those photographs were taken by Katrina.
Photographer extroadinaire, business owner, wife and mother — she
definitely has plenty to share with us about how she is Organised
and Elegant!
Our last email to our subscribers found that this is the segment
that you look forward to the most every month in our newsletter. And
we’re so pleased to continue to bring this wonderful series to you.
So without further “ado” let us delve into what makes this O & E Woman tick.….
What inspires you to get up each morning?
Another day! Each day is so different and I love this. I might be
shooting all day or on phone for meetings or flying to either
Sydney or Melbourne to visit my franchisees. Or i can be taking
kids to dancing, playing hockey, or trying to cook for the one night
a week when my parents come over. I know this sounds pathetic,
but my husband is a fabulous cook. If I am busy and with people
then I am happy.
How did you end up in the photography world? Was it always something that you were passionate about, or did you come by it via another career first?
I was working as a nanny saving to travel, in the hope that
while I did I would figure out what I wanted to do. The beautiful
family I looked after in Brisbane gave me a camera as a going away
gift. I shot so much during those 2 years, and no real surprise I
loved to photograph people. Upon my return I enrolled in Uni
and 4 years later I graduated having worked fulltime with
university most nights and I also got married in my last year!
Did
you know that you wanted to focus on everyday families and
people, rather than editorial, fashion, scenic photography?
Or did this love evolve?
I
loooved fashion to start with! The first few years I was in business I
was shooting anything and everything really. However, in 2001 I
chose to specialise on the advice of a marketing consultant
and it has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. I do
still love to photograph fashion and will very soon be
launching a new range so will keep you posted!!!!!!
How
did you go about growing your business from an individual
photographer to a studio in Brisbane, to now a multi studio,
national business?
I kind of always wanted to be a bit
famous! As my business grew I wanted to keep challenging myself,
and it was a matter of why not? It was always in the back of my
mind to “go big” and I have always surrounded myself with great people
and often get advice. I tend to research new ideas extensively
and really mull over, however once my decision is made it is full
steam ahead. I have always been incredibly aware of where my strengths
lie. I am a big picture person, (not so good with small detail) and
so constantly have new ideas running through my head , which might
explain my sleep patterns.
As with most women
forging ahead there are usually multiple “balls” or parts of
life that are juggled, could you share some of these things that you’re
juggling with us– life, love, home, business, friends, family?
This
is definitely everyone’s challenge now isn’t it? A big part of
how I make things work is due to a very supportive husband. Andy
has been the main carer of our 3 daughters for these last 8 years and
sometimes I need to start as early as 6am. As time has gone on and
now our oldest is 13, I realise she/they need me now more than ever. I
have always taken Wednesdays off and now this year I also don’t work
on Tuesdays. This enables me to have that precious time before and
after school to “chat” and make sure everything in their world is good.
This time off is also really important as the fact is that just as
importantly I need them. I am also, for the first time, making time to
simply have coffee with girlfriends. I have tended to be a bit of a
workaholic, but I have recognized that I needed to slow down and
just enjoy.
Have any of the balls ever dropped from your juggling act?
For sure, about 2 years ago, I sort of had a mini meltdown.
Everything got a bit much, my Sydney franchisees had just walked
out and after a hard year I had had enough and really was not myself. I
have to say full credit goes to my manager Lani who had the
courage to speak with me and in fact she suggested a break . At
the end of that week I was so excited to take 3months off. I really
hadn’t realised that I was stressed as I just do not ever see
myself that way. I am so much better now at being ok with not
working like a demon and had to relearn to relax.
Did dropping any of these parts every give you a turning point in your life, or an “aha” moment?
As mentioned above, I needed to find some balance, but it has
come about in so many ways. I am always interested in and amazed
at how in a relationship you are so good for one another. Andy is
the first to encourage and support me. Things I haven’t done
forever I’ve now gotten back into. I now play hockey one night a week,
play tennis one morning and I am back reading every night
playing Uno with the kids. As a mother that works there is this
constant guilt that when you are not working you must be with
them. I am slowly becoming ok with the fact that if I need my hair
done for example that is it ok if they can only fit me in, in
their time . I know this sounds ridiculous but true.
What helps you pick up
the pieces when something hasn’t worked? Any mantras, self help
tips, ice cream flavour preferences etc.
I am
so fine if something doesn’t work, I learn so much from the
experience and truly can look at it positively. Talking is a
big key for me , I tend to talk and talk and this helps. I am
constantly saying to my staff that being good communicators
is the key and I believe this is a big reason why we are such a tight
little team and why my girls and I get along so well.
If it was all gone tomorrow and you had to start again, you would
….be a photographer
What/ Who inspires you?
People , I love being surrounded by happy happy .
What is your definition of being organised?
The calendar in my iphone and my ability to remember lots of things( and yet forget lots of things-weird)
How do you create and/ What helps you create your organised and elegant lifestyle?
Oh my gosh I am absolutely hopeless at interior design, so I a
have had some wonderful advise and help from a few people.
Recently Melissa Healy from Futari Design with the studio
interior . I do like a clean house and so along with my
lovely cleaners, my girls are at an age where they want to earn
pocket money so they have set chores. Being visual I love to look at
home mags etc
What keeps you grounded?
My kids , and family and interestingly my hockey girlfriends
, because when you play no-one cares who you are and what you do
and I can just be me.
Where do you see yourself in ten years time– and doing what?
Still doing what I love, but I would imagine another 3 or so franchises within Australia, and throughout America.
Describe your personal style?
I am such a dag at heart, having been a little bush kid
wearing no shoes, to now. I do love to accessorize. I am a fan of
long skirts , I have an eclectic mix of scarves and big big
flowers. I wear jewellery most days, my biggest love is my range of
rings. Love a beautiful ring.
And your life style?
Hmmm most people who know me would say I am cruisy. I like to be busy and love catching up with friends.
And finally, if we could buy you a ticket to anywhere in the world right now, your destination would be……. (and why)
Well I
would have said the Uk where my brother lives , but we are going for
xmas , yay, so instead I am thinking New York– the tennis at flushing
meadows, walking and shooting around the city, Martha’s Vineyard
just sounds great doesn’t it?