Conversations with Karissa Hoffman

Today we’d like to introduce you to Karissa Hoffman.

Hi Karissa, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
After 5 years in the USAF, I was forced to medically separate after 3 major spine surgeries. Around this same time, my son was suffering through some medical issues and would eventually be diagnosed with an autoinflammatory disease. I was a single mom and needed to figure out how to bring home an income while staying home with him due to his illnesses.

I had always had a love for photography but I was too scared to pursue it. So I started a women’s boutique from home, but my favorite part of the boutique was taking the pictures. Eventually, due to Covid and needing to homeschool my son while in school full time myself, I had to close my boutique.

Three years ago, I met my fiancé and he started seeing the photos I’d take just day-to-day and he kept pushing me to actually pursue it. I started with just taking photos of my family and friends for free, just because I love doing it and they were so supportive of me and told their friends who in turn started booking me for shoots.

I am still in the very early stages of my business, but I am still able to stay home with my new twin baby girls, be very involved with my son and his activities, and continue to pursue my passion for photography!

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My biggest struggle is being my own worst critic.

I also have a very hard time comparing my work to other amazing photographers that I see and follow and beat myself up for not being as good as they are, despite knowing that there was so much blood, sweat, and tears that went into them getting where they are today and

I’m just on my own path!

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I mostly do family photography!

I think it’s funny because I have always said that I’m not really a kid person, but somehow at these families shoots a switch just flips and I’m able to get kids comfortable and laughing. I prefer more of a storytelling approach to photography, I try to just prompt families with different ideas (cuddle up, jump on daddy, etc.) to get more of a natural flow going.

I grew up with parents who valued getting professional pictures done, but they were always the picture-people type photos where you sit and smile till your face hurts and it just doesn’t look natural, so I wanted a very different style. I would love to eventually get into elopements and weddings!

What are your plans for the future?
I’m currently taking part in a mentorship with an amazing photographer in Missouri, so I’m learning so many things from her and her program and I’m looking forward to growing as a photographer and being able to offer more to my clients!

I’m also planning a Mother’s Day Event to have moms feeling beautiful and get some amazing photos with their kids because let’s be honest, moms are generally the ones behind the camera but deserve to be in front of it.

I also have something big planned for Christmas this year, as I worked with an amazing Santa Clause last Christmas when I was hired for an event at Caledonia Forest.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @karissalaynephotography_tn
• Facebook: facebook.com/karissalaynephotography