Who am I?
Well Hi there! My name is Christina, and I am the everything behind "Christina Miller Photography." I am a single, homeschooling, Jesus loving mom of four amazing little humans. My life consists of being teacher, chef, therapist, chauffeur, nurse, and so much more. I drink way too much coffee (I am trying to fix that...), I love ALL things lavender (seriously...I love it in ice cream, coffee, tea...not just soaps and cleaners), I have permanent dark circles under my eyes (I am only half joking...), I am a super big klutz (I regularly run into open doors, walk into doorways, trip on my own feet...I could go on...),
and that leads me to...
STORYTIME!
I wasn't always a mom, glassy-eyed, with a million tabs open in my brain, all at once. Once upon a time, I was a student photographer, and then a professional photographer, with a different niche.
I got my first professional film camera in high school, practicing on all family members, plants in my back yard, and the city around me. This led me down the road to college, ultimately wanting to become a crime scene photographer. I studied hard, majoring in Criminology, minoring in Photography, all done within 3.5 years. I was one class short of a minor though - the downside to going to a small liberal arts college. I graduated one class short of a minor, but with honors - Alpha Kappa Delta, the international sociology honor society.
By the time I graduated college, technology boomed and all the crime scene photography jobs had disappeared. Law enforcement was now able to use their own SLR cameras and my dreams went up in smoke. It was time to move on, this time to graduate school, aiming for my MFA in Photography. Off to San Francisco I went! I studied hard, went on fun adventures, pushed myself like never before, spread my wings and conceptual abilities. Not too long after, I sustained a long term injury and was unable to sustain walking the hills of San Francisco. I was forced to move back home and continue online. However, that proved to be more difficult, and soon, the MFA journey I had been on, was over. Once again, stuck with a journey God chose for me, not my own.
Then BOOM! I got the chance to work for an amazing sports portrait photographer. It was an experience of a lifetime! I got to use the most amazing equipment, shooting in a way I never had before, learning so many more new skills, and testing my abilities like never before. This job only lasted a year, but it was one of the best years, experience wise. It launched my confidence up to where it had never been before.
After moving up to Washington, a very different world than California, I was on a mission to continue my photography journey. I spent a few years doing family photography, kids sessions, and I spent some time mentoring with a couple doing wedding photography. The constant learning and expanding on my skills was something I just couldn't get enough of. Ultimately, like always, God showed me that it wasn't my time. I needed to focus on my new family, my kids, and my own health. I decided to stop the business and focus on home life.
....and now?
After 10 years of being a mom, the daily grind can get to you. I strive for art again, adult interaction, doing something for me. But really, it's more doing things for others (that are not my kids.) My kids are FABULOUS....just....exhausting. I still find there is a part of me not satisfied...not yet doing what God has planned for me. I was called to help others, to use my talents and passions to lift others up and help them provide for their own families. It has taken me a long time to find my way into this niche, but I am here. I am home. And it feels amazing!
I am here for you! I am here to help all moms, dads, single parents, parents of special needs kiddos, Jesus lovers, homeschooling families, small business owners. I am here to work with you, to build a better life for yourself and your family, so you can rise up and conquer!
Where does it go from here?
As I start this new journey, I am praying you all will join me as we support each other. I am new to this kind of journey, never having done it as a mom of four. I welcome communication, questions, participation, and ideas. Let's all encourage each other, loving one another, and building a better life for ourselves, our families, and each other.
