Today we’re pleased to introduce you to maternity, newborn & family photographer from Roxbury, NJ, Kristine Esposito.

Kristine is a valued member of the FilmingLife® community and a talented FilmingLifer, and she was 1st Runner-Up in the FilmingLife® ArtHouse Artist of the Year in 2024.

Tell us a bit about yourself…

I am a mom to 5 children under the age of 9 and live in Northwest NJ, USA.

Like many photographers, my journey began shortly after my oldest was born. One thing led to another and I officially started my business in 2021.

Tell us about the kind of photography & films you create…

I specialize in maternity, newborn and family and have recently become super passionate about incorporating films into all of my sessions.

This year, I am taking a leap of faith and made films part of my 3 collections... so everyone is getting a film of some length!

As a busy mom myself, I am an artwork-forward photographer, focusing less on delivering digitals and more on giving people artwork to hang on their walls and lay out on their coffee tables.

So, I am marketing myself as a photographer/filmmaker who will take care of everything and give you everything you need so that you have absolutely no "to do list" after our session together.

How did you first get started in photography?

After my oldest was born and started moving, my phone was giving me blurry images that just didn't look good. I wanted to be able to capture beautiful images of my children. So I started learning everything I could.

And now here I am in the rabbit hole of learning. I always have a long list of things to work on and learn, and I wouldn't have it any other way! My life completely changed after I found photography.

What made you decide to learn video? What was your motivation?

I saw a course advertised by Sarah Krieg in Click Photo School and wanted to try it out. I was definitely intrigued and took her breakout and course in early 2022.

Someone in that class mentioned Courtney having a class in Creative Live.

When I watched that, I was HOOKED. I absolutely loved her storytelling approach that made me feel something about these families I never even met. I wanted to make films like that.

What was your biggest challenge when you first started learning video and how did you overcome it?

So many challenges haha. That I am still overcoming!

My camera shake was very bad in the beginning and that has gotten a lot better just through practice.

I am still struggling with best using manual focus and need to just work on that more *without toggling*.

And a main one that I have been working on is my non-linear storytelling.

Did you find it a challenge to educate clients on the value of films - how were they first received by clients?

Yes, I am still working on that.

Hence why I made films part of all of my collections. I am now forcing them to realize the value of films.

And it seems like the clients who have them (especially my more recent ones) are now seeing the value, so I'm happy!

When my clients had the choice to add on a film, almost all chose not to.

Tell us about your favourite film and why it's special to you…

My favorite film that I have made so far is probably the Arthouse one because it is so personal to me and forced me to capture footage of my own family when I normally don't take the time for that. Which is terrible I know.

Kristine’s favourite film

What's something you know now, that you wish you knew when you first started making films?

You can tell a story to make it feel like a memory. It does not HAVE to be linear.

And even though the client films will pay the bills, the personal films will be my favorites to watch.

What is your best piece of advice for those just getting started with films?

Keep at it!

Even my earliest films that I sort of cringe at, I still love to watch because it is MY kids when they were even smaller. And my kids still love to watch them.

Second piece of advice, just start asking clients if you can capture video footage during their session and make a small film for them at no charge. Way less pressure on you and you will get into a groove during the session and with editing since you are practicing so much more.

What's your favourite part of being a member of FilmingLife®?

I absolutely LOVE the community and how supportive everyone is.

I love posting my films and getting such caring advice-- not just fluff, but critiques that compliment what I did well and very specifically explain things I can be doing better.

My filmmaking has changed drastically since I began only 4 months ago! I can't wait to see where it goes.

What would you say to someone who is considering joining FilmingLife®?

If you are serious about learning filmmaking... and passionate about being able to create films with feeling, I can't think of anything that will jumpstart you like FLA.

I have learned sooooo much, through the courses and just the other members!

The community is so special.