It’s Meet a Mom Monday! This week’s Meet a Mom feature is Kristen Hazelton, Oak Park mom & founder of Kristen Hazelton Photography! Keep reading our interview below, where Kristen shares more about mom life, how she decided to pursue photography, and some great Oak Park recommendations! Be sure to visit her beautiful website, her photography is truly stunning. Thank you Kristen for sharing with us today!
If you are a local mom that would like to be featured in our “Meet a Mom” series, please send an email to [email protected]
Hi Kristen! Thanks so much for speaking with us today. Can you tell us a little about yourself?
Hi, I’m Kristen, a graduating senior and family portrait photographer based out of Oak Park! I’m a former plant biologist and a mother of two sweet kids.
Where are you from originally? What brought you to Oak Park?
I’m originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, brought to Chicagoland for my family’s work purposes! Now we split our time between the two regions as I have clients in Chicagoland and on the west coast!
Tell us more about your favorite things to do in Oak Park? Any local businesses that you frequent?
My family is a big fan of the awesome parks in town – shoutout to the park district of Oak Park! Broken Tart bakery on Chicago Ave is one of our absolute favorite local businesses to visit – you’ve got to try their ginger whoopie pies, even if you’re not a ginger fan, this will make you a convert!
You’re a mama! How many children do you have?
I have a fantastic son and daughter. They are loving growing up in Chicagoland – there are so many things to see and do! We’ve been trying to explore the city by visiting one new museum per month, with limited success, haha! Our favorite museum so far has been the Children’s Museum on Navy Pier.
What’s your favorite thing about being a mom?
I love watching my kids have new experiences, and getting to see their joy as their interests grow. 🙂
What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
Despite having a photography business, I’m not a big fan of being in front of the camera! I feel this actually helps me as a photographer as I have empathy for clients that may be feeling a little camera shy! I was also a research technician in molecular plant biology before starting my photography business – I studied floral genes in aquatic ferns, petunias, and meadow rue.
Tell us more about how you got into photography! Has it always been a passion?
I first got interested in photography in 2005 as a means of sharing my experiences and surroundings with loved ones when I was away on travel. I would say my passion for photography was quiet, on the backburner, until about 2011 when it really clicked that photography was a means of preserving my family’s memories in a beautiful way! Fast forward to 2019 when I decided to just go for it and launch my business!
You have your own business – Kristen Hazelton Photography! How did you decide to start your own company, and what are your specialties?
Whew, it was not a snap decision – after realizing that my heart skipped a beat every time people asked “Kristen, could you bring your camera to this event?” I really started to examine the idea of starting a business in early 2019. I have to say, if you are considering becoming an entrepreneur, the decision to START is the hardest part. There’s worry if you’ll fail, or “what will other people think if I mess up?” but the important realization is that it’s harder to live with the regret of not giving your dreams a chance. When I started my business I thought I’d try photographing a little bit of everything to figure out what I liked best, but I quickly determined that high school seniors, graduates, and families are my favorite genres. 🙂
What is your favorite part about being a photographer?
My favorite part is watching a client’s confidence blossom over the course of a session. I often have clients that start out their sessions feeling a little unsure, but watching that disappear and seeing their confidence skyrocket is the BEST! Clients often say that they feel on cloud nine after their sessions and that I really help them feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera.
Who are your influences and/or mentors that have helped you get to where you are today, and/or continue to inspire you?
I’m part of a few professional photography groups, including the National Association of Portrait and Child Photographers, and being involved in these groups has really helped me grow as a business professional and as a photographer! For getting started, I have to say that my husband, sister, and close friends were instrumental in offering emotional support in the very early days of my business’ journey.
Rapid Fire Round!
Favorite local takeout restaurant: Ooh, I love Bodhi Thai on the Berwyn-Oak Park border, as well as Babygold BBQ, and I say that as a vegetarian. Babygold has a killer kale caeser salad and their crispy brussels sprouts are the best!
Favorite dessert: It’s got to be those ginger cream whoopie pies from Broken Tart, or maybe their cookies ‘n’ cream cookie. You can’t go wrong with anything from their shop!
Window or aisle seat? It’s an unpopular choice, but I actually don’t mind be crammed into the middle seat!
Favorite makeup product: Hah! I’m useless with makeup – can’t even remember the name of the CC cream I use – but I will shout out my favorite local hair and makeup artist – Lauren Frenden in Oak Park, who makes me look like a dream when I’m in front of the camera!
Can’t leave the house without: Fancy chapstick. My favorite is from a Canadian company called Eclair Lips! They make excellent stocking stuffers.
Your go-to breakfast: My absolute favorite breakfast location is Blueberry Hill Cafe in La Grange – they have a California skillet with sundried tomatoes and artichokes that I adore!
The last book you read: Probably the Destination Door County travel guide! My family loves to take trips up to Door County, Wisconsin – it’s such a beautiful area!
