KRISTYNA ARCHER

PHOTOGRAPHER / DIRECTOR

Los Angeles, CA

www.kristynaarcher.com
Instagram @kristynaarcher
Twitter @kristynaarcher
Facebook

WHAT DO YOU DO?

“I bring a distinct narrative aesthetic to my work to help execute your idea, campaign, or project in the most striking, memorable, creative way.”

I collaborate and brainstorm with clients to elevate ideas beyond expectations. And I am passionate and fun to work with on set!

WHAT STEPS DID YOU TAKE TO GET TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW?

I never stopped manifesting and executing on my ideas. I was always shooting and creating even while coming up as a photo assistant & retoucher. That helped me really hone in my vision and style early on.

FOR OTHER PEOPLE IN YOUR FIELD, WHAT DO THEY USUALLY LACK?

Mental stability and persistence. You have to push thru when you have downtime and take that as inspiration and motivation to finally shoot that project you've put in on the back-burner, as opposed to sit and sulk or wait for something to happen. I don't wait around, I take action. Otherwise I get too much in my head about things that don't exist.

WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?

A few short narrative films, a podcast on art & commerce, a conceptual stills project on Summer Nostalgia and another stills project involving a different perspective on our relationship to the former darkroom processes.

WHAT'S YOUR STYLE/PERSPECTIVE/TASTE? DO YOU HAVE A PROJECT THAT REPRESENTS THIS?

My style revolves around my genuine compulsion towards my own paradoxical observations, the idiosyncratic quirky human condition, and an inherent love for fashion and design. This personal project "Practice Transparency" I conceived, created, photographed, and retouched is most current to my palette.

WE ARE ALL SLASHIES WITH MULTIPLE SKILLS, WHICH ONE DO YOU WISH YOU COULD DO MORE OFTEN?

Brainstorming for creative and solely shooting, taking all the business and marketing side out of the equation that takes me away from focusing on executing projects.

WHAT IS FRUSTRATING YOU RIGHT NOW?

Finding time to do free-thinking and brainstorm for new projects. Producing larger scripted films involving more working parts. Getting around to editing all the other projects sitting on my hard-drive. Invoicing, submitting expenses, yawn...

IF YOU COULD HIRE SOMEONE FOR $20/HR, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE THEM DO TO MAKE YOUR DAY EASIER?

Do the housekeeping work (daily accounting, organizing) handle and strategize my social media accounts for Kristyna Archer and for my podcast MergeLeft. Assist in marketing, compiling solid targeted mailing lists. Get my oil changed, force me to take a break and get a massage.

LET'S BRING OUT THE TIME MACHINE. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD HAVE TOLD YOURSELF, WHEN, AND WHY?

Honestly I don't have anything because the only way you learn what isn't working or what you don't want to do is by going down the path and exploring it. I guess the only thing would be to reassure my younger self to stay true to my vision everything will fall into place.

IF YOU COULD TALK TO AN EXPERT TO GAIN MORE INSIGHT ON SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?

The best approach to producing films, how to attract an engaged targeted audience on social media

WHAT KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES/PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?

Groundbreaking epic experiential still/video/motion projects with brands that love to make statements and push boundaries. Collaborate with artists, creative directors, brands, designers that have a honed strong vision

DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL JOB/CLIENT/COLLABORATION.

Red Bull, Netflix, Apple, Target, Paper Mag, W, Dazed Digital, Nowness, Nasty Gal

Essentially I'd like to work with creative teams that enjoy collaboration, want to make a statement, push into new media, beat to their own drum.

WHAT IS YOUR HOURLY RATE, RETAINER, OR SALARY RANGE?

It's a project to project basis, based on a creative fee and the media usage/licensing.

HOW SHOULD SOMEONE APPROACH YOU ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER?

project scope, budget, mood-board, your favorite celebratory drink ;)

HOW DO YOU STAY CREATIVE?

travel, explore, incubate in cultural events, films, art museums.

LAST ONE, WHO'S IN YOUR GO-TO SQUAD?

Todd Davis set builder, stylist

Kate Allison Studio set builder

Gozde Eker talented prop stylist/set designer

Brandy Kraft wardrobe stylist

Kristyna Archer