Katie Zuppann: You cite your childhood "a whirlwind of states" as you moved from coast to coast with your family in a blue school bus, creating art the whole way. Can you elaborate on this unique upbringing? Did you all really drive around in a school bus?

Kristin Burns: My parents moved around a lot. We lived in 6 different states and traveled across the country 3 times. One time we moved in a simple white truck. But my favorite vehicle we traveled across country in was a 1964 Ford ¾ blue school bus with rounded windows – maybe because it’s my favorite color and the lineage was almost Art Deco! As a consequence of having too much stuff on the roof, we almost tipped over when taking turns through the mountains. My mom drove behind us in her old white Cadillac with pink flamingos in the back window.

Kristin with Natalia at her backyard photoshoot

Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins

You attended Art Center of Design in Pasadena and are now settled in Los Angeles. How did formal training help (or hinder) your photographic eye and technical expertise?

I went to high school in a teeny tiny town in Pennsylvania with no dark room or photo classes. I thought I could just take a few Art Center night classes to learn the skills I needed and whip my portfolio in shape but realized fast that I had a lot to learn technically and about the business. In the full time program, so much emphasis was on technical dark room techniques and assignment specs that my creative juices did get put on the backburner for a few terms. But by the end of the program, I rediscovered myself again. Art school opened my eyes and gave me a good swift kick in the ass – I graduated with a stronger work ethic, cohesive portfolio to show clients, and most importantly…lots of connections.

Rob Zombie band

Ben Jelen

Lets talk a bit about the technical aspects of photography. What is your preferred weapon (or rather, camera)? Do you only shoot digital or do you enjoy analog as well?

I’m more of a moment catcher – so whatever camera is closest is best! In my purse right now I have my point and shoot film camera - Contax T3, small digital Canon S90 and I often use my Blackberry phone so I can send photos to my friends and Twitter. On jobs I primarily use my Canon 5D MarkII. It’s the best camera ever! I have a few medium format film cameras but I forget to use them on shoots because I’m too busy trying to catch moments.

Kristin with her boyfriend, fellow photogrpaher Michael Dahan, and Jan Corey Helford

Amanda

You have worked with some top publications - including for Juxtapoz shooting your friend Natalia Fabia's feature portrait [see some behind the scenes shots HERE]. How did you get involved with big clients like Nike, Warner Bros, Virgin, Sony, and others? Is it all about connections in LA or did you also self-market a lot?

Most of the jobs I get are from word of mouth and networking. I used to send out hand made promos but I haven’t done that in over 6 years. Natalia Fabia and I met as orientation mentors for new students at Art Center College of Design in our first term at school and remained friends and collaborators. Warner Bros. found out about my work through a teacher, and professional Art Director names Lawrence Azzerad; he hired me while I was a student. Nike saw my work in URB Magazine and contacted me directly.

Billy Corgan and Jessica Simpson

Jessica Simpson

Kristin (right) with Gary Baseman at his show, La Noche de la Fusion

Your niche is clearly in music. When I met you, you'd just completed a photo shoot with The Smashing Pumpkins and while shooting at a later opening, you were sporting a hot rocker-chick look. Why music and what do you love about it?

Gary Baseman told everyone to go to his show La Noche de la Fusion as “their true self” so I decided to sport a few backstage passes and my Rolling Stones ripped tee-shirt and go as a “Rock Photographer.” In between paying photo jobs, whether music related or not, I jump in the studio and photograph my musician friends writing and recording. Music really calms me and excites me and I’m fueled by it. I’m used to being around music because my dad had a garage-band and started taking me to gigs when I was 2. He also would play piano in the house 24/7. Apparently I was playing piano at 1 week out of the hospital. I’m an experience junky and feel lucky to be right there with bands as they go through the writing process, grueling recording sessions, and exciting and moody tours.

Hear more from Kristin in Part II of this interview right here.

In the meantime, learn more about Kristin at www.kristinburns.com

Noah

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