About the Photographer
Christin Coats
Hello, to all! My name is Christin. I'm thrilled to introduce myself as an Environmental Health Specialist, a role that often raises eyebrows, prompting curiosity about its nature. Allow me to shed light on it – I'm the person behind the scenes, meticulously evaluating restaurants, child care centers, nursing homes, and summer camps, ensuring they meet the highest standards of health and safety. But my story doesn't end there; my life is a symphony of diverse passions.
When I'm not immersed in the world of health inspections, I'm an active participant in my church community, contributing my voice to the praise team and choir. Music uplifts my soul, and it's an honor to use my voice to sing uplift Jesus' name.
However, if you ask me about the heartbeat of my existence, it's undeniably photography. Photography is my sanctuary, my escape from the daily hustle, and my conduit to creativity. It's where my stress finds its release, where I find unadulterated joy. It's my lens through which I capture the world's beauty, emotions, and stories.
One of my greatest delights is capturing my niece, Macy, through my lens. Watching her transformation into a radiant young girl has been an extraordinary journey. She was the muse of my very first newborn shoot, an endeavor that initially filled me with trepidation. Yet, every click of the shutter marked a moment of growth – not only for Macy but for me as a photographer.
The magic of photography lies in the connections it forms. Meeting new people, weaving their stories into images, and witnessing their reactions as they view the final photographs is a reward beyond measure. To contribute even a shred of confidence to someone's self-perception brings me immeasurable joy. The camera becomes my tool for empowerment, a way to remind people of their own unique beauty.
Yes, being in front of the lens can feel uncomfortable, but I've learned that the most remarkable shots often arise from such moments. A blend of posed portraits and candid shots captures the essence of each individual. For children, I encourage playfulness, knowing that the unguarded moments hold the purest emotions.
In my journey as a photographer, I've had the honor of being published in Color Shot Magazine and Sugar and Snail Magazine. The pinnacle of this experience was seeing one of my photographs grace the cover of Sugar and Snail. Sharing these successes with my subjects adds another layer of fulfillment to my craft.
As I stand at this juncture, I dream of a future where photography takes center stage in my life. While my day job continues to call, photography remains my solace, my ever-evolving passion. Each photograph I take is a step toward that future, a step toward the possibility of turning my passion into a full-time endeavor. Until then, I eagerly anticipate the stories I'll capture, the lives I'll touch, and the moments I'll forever freeze in time. I'm excited to meet each of you, to connect through the art that unites us all.
Why I Love Photography
In my "About Me" section, I touched on my love for photography, and here I'd like to delve a little deeper into what fuels that passion. Photography, to me, isn't just a hobby; it's a profound connection with the very essence of life.
The act of capturing images is an art that resonates with my soul. The ability to freeze fleeting moments in time, encapsulating them within a photograph that endures through the years, is nothing short of magical. While the act of taking a picture is brief, its impact is boundless. It's a reminder that life's most beautiful and profound instants are often swift and easily overlooked, yet they can be immortalized with the click of a button.
A photograph can hold immense power, embodying memories that may otherwise fade away. A poignant example rests in a photo I took of my grandmother one Easter – a snapshot that captured her vibrant spirit. Little did I know that the ensuing COVID pandemic would separate us, locking her within the confines of her assisted living home. That single photo became a poignant memento of her joyful essence. Tragically, it became the last tangible memory we had of her. This experience underscored the undeniable truth that life is unpredictable, and every photograph holds the potential to become a treasured keepsake.
I've often encountered people who shy away from the camera, confessing a distaste for being photographed. I empathize with this sentiment, as I've felt it too. Yet, I implore everyone to see beyond that momentary discomfort. A photograph isn't just a picture; it's a legacy, a fragment of your story that will continue to resonate long after you're gone. It's the visual thread that connects generations, allowing them to glimpse your journey.
This is the crux of why photography is so enchanting to me. It's the reason I'm drawn to capturing the milestones that weave the tapestry of our lives. From the first flutter of anticipation during pregnancy to the bustling energy of a child's first birthday, from the milestone of senior year to the elegance of prom night, these moments are fleeting but rich with emotion. Photography becomes a tool to immortalize these chapters, to etch them into the journals of your memory.
For me, photography is not merely a hobby; it's a means of preserving emotions, memories, and stories that are too valuable to be forgotten. It's a way of celebrating the fleeting beauty of life and preserving it for generations to come. This is why photography is my passion, my sanctuary, and the language through which I communicate my reverence for life itself.