about me...
I grew up in front of the camera with Europe as my backdrop. My father was always capturing memories of my mother, my sister and myself with his Yashica 35mm rangefinder camera. I am pretty sure I can blame him for instilling this need to take photos and capture every moment...once I had a point and shoot camera, I had it with me always. In highschool I found myself in front of the camera again, having friends that were in photography class. This began my love affair with photography and all its elements. In 1998 I bought my first SLR film camera and began to record life with the click of the shutter.
In college I learned the technical and artistic angle of photography through darkroom printing, film processing, medium and large format cameras and alternative process, and recieved my Bachelor in Fine Art degree in 2001. . With much hesitation, in 2005 I bought my first DSLR camera and began my journey into digital photography. Although I shoot primarily digital now and love it... I still dabble in film and will always, always LOVE the quality, the essence and the nostalgic feel of film.
My children both had Infant Survival Swim lessions with a wonderful swim instructor and now friend (Katja of Kinder Swim, Inc.). When my daughter was young and going for her maintenance lesson, Katja asked me (knowing I was a photographer) if I had ever thought about shooting underwater... up until that point I really had not thought about it as I do not dive or do any deep sea swimming, but I do LOVE and have always loved being in and around the water so this sparked an interest in my mind!! I had to try it... I invested in a small bag type housing to try it out and the first time I went under with my 4 year old daughter as my little model, I was instantly HOOKED and OBSESSED with the world of underwater photography. It's so different, fun and always changing, literally and figuratively fluid! Now over 9 years later and a bigger, better housing investment, I am still obsessed with it and having so much fun capturing kids and families in and around the water.
I am blessed with a wonderful husband who supports my photography and two beautiful children that are my world. I absolutely love what I do, I am obsessed with photography and feel so lucky and blessed to do what I love!!! I feel honored and humbled to be invited into people’s lives to help tell their story... to record their fleeting moments, to hold onto forever.
Photograph by Renee Stengel Photography
RECENT WORK
underwater & splash
underwater maternity
kids | family
maternity
newborn | babies
seniors | headshots | branding
reviews
The McKae Family
I am very particular when it comes to choosing a photographer. Christi exceeded all my expectations. She has an amazing ability to capture photos that caught us in our element. She is great with kids. I had a hard time choosing 25 pictures because they were all truly amazing!! I will cherish this photos for years to come. I will definitely use Christi again.
Daisy & Tim
Christi is an amazing, unique, professional, patient and such a sweet soul. Such a pleasure to work with. Our pictures are all sooooo beautiful. Thank YOU!
Sherry Wilson
Christi is an amazing photographer, truly talented and very professional! We are beyond excited about the gorgeous photos we received from our underwater shoot with her. We Highly, highly recommend Christi! Thank you for our beautiful photos Christi we will definitely be using you again and again
The Baes Family
Christi captures beautiful moments from my wedding and now of my family.
Brigitte
Best photographer hands down. Never thought she could capture so many great photos under the water. And she is super sweet and fun to work with.
Christi & Adam
I have been a client of Christi since late 2009 when she took my engagement photos at UT. The photos were spectacular. In May 2010, Christi captured our wedding beautifully, and to this day those photographs grace the walls all over my house. She perfectly captured the spirit of our special day. And, when our son came along in August 2012, Christi was there for us again, taking our breath away with the photos she captured of River just nine days new. I used Christi again for my 2014 Christmas cards, and the pictures are so great I couldn’t even pick favorites! Christi is such a professional, always on time and willing to work with us to achieve our visions for our pictures. She’s very sweet, fairly priced, and unmatched in her eye for detail. She comes with the highest recommendation from my entire family who have benefited from her amazing work!
Zaller Family
Christi was so professional and patient with my kids , she was helpful in giving out advice for outfits and different fun poses , I highly recommend her we had so much fun .
Boddiford Family
Amazing photographer and just all around great person to have capture memories of my family!
Jennifer Mingle
Christi made my daughter's senior picture shoot so special. She felt beautiful and had so much fun! I'm so in love the pictures, too! Christi has a true talent for capturing the most amazing moments in the most perfect way!
Amanda & Bill Hillman
My husband and I are expecting our first child and wanted a special experience with our photographer. I had found Christi through Instagram, and was so impressed with her pictures both underwater and portrait style pictures, I knew I didn't want to work with anyone else. We drove several hours just to have her photograph our maternity pictures. She was so professional, accommodating, patient, and sweet, I was surprised to find such a down-to-earth photographer who we loved working with. Once I saw our online gallery, I absolutely fell in love with our photos! The pictures are gorgeous and look like an absolute fairy-tale. She exceeded my expectations as a photographer, and I would highly highly recommend working with her. Thank you for making our pictures so special Christi.
Brittany
So impressed with Christi's focus and passion. Beautiful work. I'm obsessed
Robin Olson
Amazing family photographer.....we don't trust anyone to do our photos besides Christi.
Jessica & Dustin
Christi recently did our engagement pictures and I couldn't be happier! They turned out better than I ever imagined. She does amazing work and is a pleasure to work with during a photo session! I cannot say enough good things about her....she is a very talented and awesome person! Thanks again Christi!
Martinique
I drove 8 hours to do an underwater maternity shoot with Christi at 7 months pregnant. I only knew what I saw online about her so I prayed for the best. She was professional and sweet: best decision I made! She managed to catch absolutely gorgeous shots of my 2 y/o daughter who is not a fan of going underwater and was open to every crazy pose I wanted to try. Thank you!
Heather
I absolutely love Christi!! She is a blast to work with, we did a unique underwater maternity shoot we will never forget thanks to her. Can't wait to work with her again in the future, am very thankful for the opportunity to meet her.
Kara Pinero
The girls photo book came in today and it is stunning! I absolutely love it and I love the professional magazine style of this book. What an amazing keepsake of such a special time in their lives. Can't thank you enough!