The Girl Behind the Camera

Oh it’s a cliche title, I know it. But it’s who I am – the girl behind the camera. I mostly post beautiful images here on the blog of my clients, but today I’m stepping out from behind that camera to tell you a little bit about me.

Born and raised in a small northern Wisconsin town named Ladysmith, I grew up surrounded by old cars, laughter, and the most loving family. My childhood is filled with memories of car shows, family gatherings with grandparents, aunts, uncles & cousins, of road trips west, of hard-working parents and cameras. Isn’t it funny how the things in life we remember and sometimes take for granted mold and shape us into who we are supposed to be? This girl who thought she would take over the family business – because I also have a love of cars – toured a trade school for auto body repair. But, that isn’t where my story goes. My story starts at that same trade school in the marketing program. I didn’t know yet that I would be the girl behind the camera I am today.

No, it took working my way through college at Farm & Fleet to meet a girl who went to photography school in Montana for me to fully realize where life would take me. I knew that I wasn’t done by the time I had my second degree under my belt. I knew there was something more out there for me – and that was documenting life.

At the age of 21 I packed up my Monte Carlo with the help of my dad and moved to Missoula, Montana. The first few days were rough – here I was 1300 miles from home wondering if I had made the right decision. I had. I just didn’t know it yet then, either.

But twelve years later here I am, I finally know that this is what I’ve been called to do. INFP, lover of Diet Coke & old Chevrolets, always on the hunt for the best brownie recipe & wood-fired pizza, I’m Christy. I’m proud that miles on the road with my parents, junkyards and the camera in the hand of my Grandfather led me to the place I’m in today. I was taught the value of hard work and the value of documenting life – and those are the things I bring to my business and that I share with the world. 

Want to learn more or have questions? Reach out to me at: christy@christyjphotography.com