Meet Krista Marie | Hospitality Worker & Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Krista Marie and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Krista, what role has risk played in your life or career?
To me, taking a risk involves going out of your comfort zone and heading into the unknown. The outcome is unpredictable when taking a risk and this may be scary for some people, or it may be seen as thrilling. Unknown challenges that occur when taking a risk can be a good thing if approached with a positive attitude. Oftentimes such challenges presented are just learning experiences that will help one along their way. If a mistake is made or loss occurs when risk taking, we learn from this and perhaps try something different the next time around to create a better outcome in the future. There is growth in risk taking and there is joy when it all works out.

In my life, taking risks has led me to discover new places, meet new people, and try new things. It has brought me to learn a new language and to be more open and outgoing. In my career, taking risks has led me to job opportunities in a wide variety of specialties, and for that I am thankful.

I believe it is important to take risks and challenge yourself. You’ll never know what you can achieve if you don’t try.

Please tell us more about your art. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I have been practicing digital photography for 11 years now. I like to capture nature, animals, landscapes, seascapes, and the night sky. I like to keep my photos simple, mirroring what I see in reality. I spend a lot of time connecting with nature and find it very peaceful, so I try to take pictures that provide a sense of place while leaving viewers feeling peaceful as well.

I’m most excited about the new car I recently purchased. Now I can take road trips to new places and travel longer distances. There are so many places I want to explore in the new year! I’m hoping to capture more shots while either hiking in the mountains or adventuring through beach towns.

These days, I work a steady job in hospitality that I enjoy. I have a short commute, and I get to live in an area I love. I’m happy with my job because of this. I’ve always been a dedicated worker and I have a wide variety of interests and experiences so I believe that has helped me on my way. I’ve learned to follow my dreams because I know I can make them come true.

Lastly, I’d like to share that I hope to inspire others to spend time outdoors and to enjoy the little things.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I live in New York so the first place I would take my friend is New York City to start off the trip! I think about 2 nights would be good. We would go to a museum, walk around Central Park, indulge in some shopping, and eat great food. I’d also take her to go exploring in Little Italy and Chinatown. Then we would take the train up north to my house in the Hudson Valley. We would probably spend that afternoon relaxing and watching TV, or swimming in the pool if it’s summer. Over the course of the next couple days, I would take my friend adventuring around the area. We would go to the town of New Paltz for shopping and dining. There are so many good restaurants in New Paltz, as well as cute boutiques, bookstores, and antique stores. We could easily spend a day there. Following that, I’d take her hiking at Lake Minnewaska one day and at Mohonk Preserve another day. Both places offer easy to moderate trails with great views, and are perfect places to snap some photos. To conclude the trip we would go out to breakfast in New Paltz for sure!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to dedicate my shout-out to all the warm and loving people in my life! I’m grateful to have an amazing family, supportive friends, and helpful coworkers. I would also like to give a shout-out to all the fun and interesting people I have met on my travels. I’m thankful for all those who have helped me on my way.

Instagram: travellingwithkrista