Kristen is a teeny tiny ball of sunshine who outshines the rest of us. Not because she tries, just because she is that wonderful. From the moment I met her, she enveloped me with curiosity, warmth, and reasons to be happy. She is brave.  She moved away from her family in Japan to America during her high school years and lived with a couple of different families. She is married with a babe on the way, and has plans to move again very soon. She is adventurous. She is kind. She is also a very talented photographer, whose clients emulate the sunshine she brings to each shoot.  Check out her work here and here.

Where do you find inspiration?
For my photography, I find inspiration by practicing taking pictures, exploring new places, scrolling through Pinterest, and talking to my photography friends or taking pictures with friends. True inspiration comes from ordinary things for me. Looking at the sun and feeling sunshine. Eating my leftover dinner during lunch break. Hanging out with friends and laughing about everything. Reading books. Sharing how my day went with my husband. Spending time with family. When I stop, embrace the moment, and contemplate how much goodness is around me, I find true inspiration.

What do you think it takes to truly love one another?
Commitment is one of the most important parts of a relationship. I’ve been married for only three years and am certainly not a love expert, but I have learned to love someone unconditionally and selflessly in this short time (even if I am not always good at it).

“Choose your love. Love your choice” by Thomas S. Monson

is one of my favorite love quotes. I chose my husband and I made a commitment to choose to love him forever. I love my choice. Love takes effort, but true love becomes so much easier and more meaningful with commitment.

What have you learned most about people since starting your business?
People are beautiful! They help my business with their beauty and smile whether it’s a family, newborn, or wedding shoot. They bring so much joy to my business and that’s why I love taking pictures of people.

How has being an almost mother changed the person you are, and once hoped to become?
Everything changes after becoming pregnant. I have never been this excited about “life.” Creation is a true miracle! I am not a mother yet (but will be very soon!) and am sure I will have a lot to learn once the baby is born, but there are two major things I have already learned through my pregnancy.
1. I love my husband. Don’t take this the wrong way. I already loved my husband, but my love for him has deepened abundantly. When I am sick, he is the one who helps me cook. When I need extra strength, he is the one who gives me a blessing. I would never have thought that pregnancy could be teamwork (I am the one who is pregnant carrying a baby every day), but it really is a joint effort! I am grateful that I realized that.
2. I truly want to become a mother. I knew I could be a mother someday, but the role hadn’t quite hit me until I became pregnant. I respect mothers, especially my own, but “being a mother” seemed like such an unknown world. I am a little scared whether I can be a good one (but I have to take a leap of faith, right?). I feel more responsible and have more desire to become a mother now. I am so excited for this new change and for our little boy.
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You are incredibly brave and so optimistic, how do you think both of those things have come to be necessary in your life? How’d you get to be so brave? Why are you optimistic?
I like to think the glass is half full. The world can be a bad place if you focus only on bad events, but the world also brings a lot of happiness. I think it depends on your perspective in life. I am not always brave or optimistic, but I know how to find strength when I am down: prayer. I can get extra comfort and strength in life when I rely on the Lord. Also, ice cream and cereal work well when I need to feel better on my bad days.