Digital Wedding Forum - Wedding photography's home on the web.

Location - Lake Tahoe, CA
Business Name - [studio] Christa Hoffarth
Years in Business - 8
Number of Posts - 807 (.5 posts per day)
Website - www.christahoffarthphoto.com
Blog - www.christahoffarth.wordpress.com
PM - Contact Christa

DWF - Let's start off with a little bio, tell us a little bit about yourself.

CHRISTA - I know this is a reasonable and necessary question, but I have to admit it's always me least favorite question to answer, sadly I haven't figured out how to answer this question with any maturity. My first inclination is to tell you what people would be surprised to know, like why I get a gag reflex at the smell of wet peanut butter, or that I plan my April fools jokes a year in advance, or that I'm genuinely interested if Bigfoot really exists, or that Walker and Texas Ranger are excellent children's names... I'll do anything to avoid taking myself too seriously.

DWF - How did you become a wedding photographer?

CHRISTA - It was an interesting journey for me to become a photographer actually. In college, I studied microbiology and thought I would just be the mad scientist. One day a friend of mine, who happened to be a photojournalist for the Seattle PI, showed me some cool things he had shot on assignment, I was envious of his job. I immediately ran out and got myself a used Nikon 5005, that camera went with me everyone for the next 7 years. The seed was planted. My first job out of college was working for a City Councilman in Sacramento, doing PR for his district. I would always tote my camera to publicity events and document it for him, pretty soon he started to give me specific photography related assignments which weren't even part of my job description. I was honored and took the opportunities that came my way. One of the most rewarding assignments was being invited to document a speech given by former President Clinton with our entire City Council. I was humbled by the experience. I went on to work as a financial analyst for a consulting firm as a consultant to the DoD, it was demanding and difficult, but it gave me the skills I needed to understand how to run and market a business. After 6 years of the strange world of DoD I decided it was time to pursue my passion with a full time interest, once I made that decision, I said goodbye to the corporate world and never looked back. Within 6 months of having made the decision to pursue photography I had a website up and running and had 15 weddings already on the books. I knew it was the right move for me and the journey I took to get there was just all part of the process for me.

DWF- Who or what inspires you as an artist?

CHRISTA - I am completely fascinating by so many things, the art of film and music, to graphic design and architecture and the editorial style of the fashion world. It would be difficult for me to say it's one person, one artist, or even one subject, I admire things for different reasons entirely. There is a certain reverie and testament to the life happening around us every day, and we all have an opportunity to see it with all of our senses if we choose. Pretty pictures are nice, but what do you see, what makes it interesting to you? I'm always trying to answer that question before I even take the picture. I can't turn that part off in my brain. It's because of that heightened sense of awareness that I carry a notebook around with me everywhere I go and I'm constantly adding inspirational ideas that I want to do or a collection of thoughts or expressions. It helps me hone in on something different in my photography.

DWF- If we needed a photographer today why would we book you? What makes you unique?

CHRISTA - Because my brochure is the coolest. Duh.

I'd like to think it's because I invest so much of myself in understanding people on a level that connects us far beyond anything resembling a client-photographer relationship. I want to know them beyond the surface and that takes trust, authenticity, and personal investment. When I have made that connection, I am better equipped to give them the best possible window into their life. My goal is to capture the essence of who they are. It is what I am privileged to be a part of for a while no matter how long or short my time with them might be.

DWF- If you had to pick a favorite "Tool of the Trade" what would it be? and why?

CHRISTA - No question it's Lightroom, hands down. It has sped up the workflow in my studio ten fold. Now I can get back to the important things in life like twittering on facebook.

DWF- You're going to be speaking at DWF Convention 09, can you tell us a bit about your seminar?

CHRISTA - Well last year I really enjoyed teaching the ways of graphic design, and apparently I didn't put everyone to sleep so that made me very happy. This year I will be teaching more useful design tips and tricks on album design. Nothing but quick and easy ways to make your books unlike anybody else's. For starters, I don't even call them albums, I call them Lookbooks, how's that for different. You'll have to see for yourself, the rest is super top secret for now.

DWF - Care to share your favorite photograph? and tell us a bit about it?

CHRISTA -

Can you believe this woman didn't think she was beautiful at all? I had to show her this image right after I took it.


I'm convinced Kaitlyn was born in the wrong era. I think she is Veronica Lake reincarnated.


This is just my favorite reception shot in a really long time, cool lighting, and a bar carved of ice to the right. it was pretty spectacular.

DWF - How about some final words to live by?

CHRISTA - live, love and laugh often........and speed up your workflow already.