Interview with Christina

A Passionate Journey behind the Lens

by PPMC Magazine in South Africa

Christina Berry, the proud owner of Beautifully You Studio & Events LLC, has carved her path in the photography industry over the past six years. Remarkably, she is entirely self-taught. “I bought my first professional camera and haven’t looked back,” she says, recalling her journey.

Her love for photography was apparent from a young age, always having a camera in her hand. “My family would purchase me bulk size multi-packs of disposable cameras for me to capture my world,” Christina reminisces. Her grandmother played a significant role in nurturing this passion by taking her to the print shop every weekend to develop the images she had captured.

One Christina’s biggest influences in photography is Jordan Matter. “I love the fact that he consistently pushes creative envelope during his shoots and the boundaries of the location he’s in,” she shares. His unwavering passion and willingness to do anything for the perfect shot are qualities Christina admires and aspires to embody in her own work.

Another figure she holds in high regard is Tony Northrup. “His skill and technical training have made me the photographer that I am today,” Christina notes. Tony’s favorite saying, “you can tell the difference between a shot that you make vs a shot that you take,” resonates deeply with her. Christina emphasizes the importance of being intentional with each shot, making adjustments, no matter how small, to elevate the outcome.

“Even if it’s stepping two feet to the side to get a difference composition, you can still change the outcome,” she explains. “I always make at least one adjustment for every shot I take. Being intentional will definitely take them to the next level.”

Christina’s creative concepts often come naturally to her. She frequently engages in styled and creative shoots to bring her ideas to life. From finding the perfect location to directing the model’s expression, she ensures every detail is meticulously planned.

“How did you find the location you’re shooting at? What did you say to the model to invoke their expression that you captured? How did you plan the lighting to perfectly convey the emotion your wanting to bring across?” she asks rhetorically, highlighting the thought process behind each shoot. Ensuring every detail, from wardrove to lighting, is thought of is crucial for Christina. “Seeing it all come together in the fully edited album makes it all worthwhile,” she says.

For photographers aspiring to get their work published, Christina has straightforward advice: never stop submitting. “Magazines near and far offer open submissions constantly,” she says, urging photographers to make time in their schedules for submissions. “If you don’t push it out, it won’t be seen! You have to be your biggest supporter and never stop sharing! You’ll be surprised at how far your work will take you.”

Christina Berry’s story is one of passion, dedication, and relentless pursuit of creativity. Her journey from a child with disposable cameras to the owner of a successful photography studio is truly inspiring. Christina continues to push the boundaries of her art, capturing moments that resonate deeply with those who view her work.

With influences like Jordan Matter and Tony Northrup shaping her path, Christina continues to push the boundaries of her art, capturing moments that resonate deeply with those who view her work. 

"To me, photography is an art of observation. It’s about finding something interesting in an ordinary place."

– Elliott Erwitt