Dig In Magazine Interview with
Kris Starry of Starry Night Photography

Kris Starry is a photographer from Delray, Florida who owns her own photography company, Starry Night Photography. Starry's photographic portfolio encompasses Commercial, Portraits, Fashion, Engagement, Wedding, Maternity, and Family. Her work has been shown in various areas within Florida to Rocherster, NY. And she has been published in WeMerge, City Link, New Times and Boca Magazine. Starry participates in Art Nouveau events as well as Art Heart, which is the first charity event that she has been involved with. Her new calendar, "Bathing Beauties," can be found and purchased on TheArtnessOnline.com.

Dig In Magazine: Hi Kris! Thanks so much for taking to the time to discuss your photography work with Dig In Magazine! Where did you grow up and and where are your based out of?

Kris Starry: I was born in Baltimore, MD, and grew up in Westminster, MD but now I live in Delray, FL. I’ve been here for about 12 yrs now.

DIM: How did you first get into photography?

KS: It’s always been a part of my life since I can remember. I used to drive my mom crazy with all the film I used to go through just snapping pictures of everyone and everything.

DIM: Were you always creative as a child? When did you really begin expressing yourself creatively and why did you choose photography as a means to express yourself?

KS: I've always had an over-active imagination growing up, and got in trouble a lot for daydreaming and doodling. I took a photography class my Junior year in high school. I loved all the photography assignments that the teacher would give, and I never missed a class, which I can't say for any of my other classes! I excelled to the point that my instructor asked me to be his lab assistant the next year. Photography is something that everyone cherishes. I love to create photos that people look at and will make them feel something.

DIM: Where did you get your photography training?

KS: Practice, practice, and more practice. I’m self-taught so it’s been trial and error, which I feel is the best way I learn.

DIM: Who or what has influenced you the greatest in life?

KS: There have been many people that have influenced me throughout my life. I would definitely say my mom is a HUGE influence. She’s a very hard worker and has taught me the value of putting all of yourself into what you do. My husband, Burny Pelsmajer has been extremely supportive with my artistic explorations too.

DIM: What is the inspiration behind your calendar, "Bathing Beauties"?

KS: It was important to me to showcase these women. I didn't want people to think they are only some pretty girls with tattoos; there is more substance than that, considering they're all artists and creative types. The whole idea started when I got rave reviews of my seven deadly sins series' sloth image. I just really loved how it turned out and knew I had to explore more bathtub images. I had an amazing team of Michael D'Abbieri on make-up and Stefanie Merullo (AKA Polly Peachums) doing hair, who ended up in a tub for me. Finding models came easier than finding tubs. Once each model agreed to be apart of this project, I would always ask them this next "So how is your tub"? Surprisingly there is a shortage of tubs in Florida! I was lucky to have co-workers that would let me use their tubs for shoots, and some had 2 tubs in one location, which made my life easier. I had a really short time line: 1 and 1/2 months to photograph 13 girls. That's a lot to do when you work a 9-5. I was shooting 2 to 3 girls in one day, and one of the days I had 3 girls! Each tub was in a different location so when hair and make up was done, I would take the model with all my equipment, set up, shoot, break down, go back to get the second model, go to location, set up, shoot, break down and so forth. It was all worth it and I would do it all again. I had such positive feedback that I had Dwayne Adams of WeMerge help design a 2011 Bathing Beauties calendar which includes each Beauty's bio, hair, make up and tub credit. I've been showing the series at local clubs, bars, art galleries, tattoo conventions and craft shows from West Palm to Miami. It's always funny to me to see men's reactions to my photos vs. women's...would definitely say I'm a man's favorite. I actually have gotten quite a bit of: "your husband must love that you take photographs like this". My favorite reply is "I love that I take photos like this".

DIM: Where did you get the idea to create a photo calendar?

KS: I was talking with a co-worker about my series when he said "How many girls do you have total?" I told him "13", and his response was "why don’t you make a calendar?" And so the bathing beauties calendar was born.

DIM: Where can people find your calendar for sale?

KS: I’ve been selling it locally at different shows but you can find my calendar directly off the Artness Store: http://www.theartnessonline.com/#/bathing-beauties/4545703574
[http://www.theartnessonline.com/]

DIM: What draws you to tattoo art and body art?

KS: Basically, these girls are walking, talking, breathing art. I’ve always found girls with tattoos confident, unique, bold and super creative.

DIM: How would you describe your photographic style?

KS: I don't know how I would describe my photographic style, to be honest. I haven't spent any time really thinking about it! I just try to create photos that I enjoy, and hopefully other people will enjoy too.

DIM: What types of photography do you do?

KS: You name I do it - Commercial, Portraits, Fashion, Engagement, Wedding, Maternity, Family.

DIM: What type of camera do you use?

KS: My beloved Nikon D700.

DIM: What do you look for in a model?

KS: I really don’t know how to describe it. When I meet or see a certain person, I know right then, I want to photograph them. My cover girl for the calendar is someone I hunted down after a fashion show.

DIM: I’ve noticed that some of your photos are of fire dancers, what peaks your interest in photographing fire dancers?

KS: That’s funny! One of those wonderful fire flies married my husband and I. She’s been a good friend of mine for many years. She joined the Pyrofusion troop years back and I just adore all those girls. Shooting fire is definitely a challenge. Weather is a HUGE factor, which I learned the hard way. I’ve been giving them shots for their own personal use while they let me practice on them to perfect my technique.

DIM: Also, the look of your models is very retro and stylish, what do you like about vintage style?

KS: Who doesn’t like vintage? It’s classic, timeless, and beautiful.

DIM: What inspires your photography?

KS: I love what I do. It feels right when I do it. When I show new photos for the first time and I get positive feedback it definitely gives me more fuel for my fire. I’m always thinking about what to do next.

DIM: Do you collaborate with other artists? If so, with whom and in what capacity?

KS: I love collaborating with other artists. They're creative and I love bouncing ideas off of each other, sometimes they see something that I don't and vice a versa. I've been lucky to work with Polly Peachums - not only does she model for me, but she does most of my models hair, Brenda Burton, CAB Fayre - she is on the west coast of Florida and she hand makes jewelry, clothing, as well as accessories, Humble Bumble B curator, The Artness - I just became part of her team of artists, Lori Practico - she's been selecting my photos to draw/paint for her INK series, Georgette Pressler with Devious Body Art and Brass Knuckle Bomb Shells Burlesque troop. Most of my models are artists, there are so many I just can't mention them all.

DIM: Where has your work been displayed and what publications have you been in?

KS: Rochester Contemporary -Art Rocherster, NY
The Lounge -West Palm Beach, FL
Stage 84 -Davie, FL
Howleys -Diner, West Palm Beach, FL
Kevro Art Bar- Delray Beach, FL
Schacknow Museum of Fine Arts- Plantation, FL
PRL Euro Cafe - Hollywood, FL
West Palm Armory
I’ve been published in WeMerge, City Link, New Times and Boca Magazine.

DIM: What events are you involved with?

KS: I participate with Art Nouveau events as well as Art Heart. Art Heart is my first charity event that I’ve done. It unites friends and artists in order to share our artistic work with the community, with the goal of raising money through our work to benefit charitable organizations of all kinds.

DIM: What are your interests and hobbies?

KS: Well, when I’m not shooting, I like spending time with my husband and all our animals (2 dogs and 3 cats - I keep rescuing strays)

DIM: What are your plans for Starry Night Photography?

KS: My plans are to take over the world with one image at a time … really, my goal is to be able to leave my full time job and invest all my energy into my photography.

DIM: Thanks so much and best of luck with your photography!

KS: Thank you!!! I appreciate the opportunity to be in your magazine!