Meet Kristina Bozanich

We recently connected with Kristina Bozanich and have shared our conversation below.

Kristina, so great to have you with us and thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with the community. So, let’s jump into something that stops so many people from going after their dreams – haters, nay-sayers, etc. We’d love to hear about how you dealt with that and persisted on your path.
It’s been a tumultuous experience since my national and international exposure in support of the LGBTQIA+ community… given all that’s been happening in Florida politics. Since May of 2023, I have faced a lot of haters and bullies, and in facing them, I’ve conducted a lot of self-work., In building up myself, I have found methods that make it easier to maintain the perseverance I need to continue on and to care less about those opinions who are not important to me. Yes, that means therapy when you need it, distancing from social media, and talking with those who you love most. This experience has developed greater courage and confidence so that I can continue my pursuit of sharing love and happiness, whether that is in my art or my advocacy.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Prior to this year, those that knew me and my work understood me as a photographer with unique creative ideas and abilities. For years, I have transformed models using makeup artistry, conducted spontaneous photoshoots for my show, SPECTACLE, and have brought creatives together. Fast forward, to more recent events, being an advocate for LGBTQIA+ community and art, I have been in a position to voice the importance of celebrating and embracing this community. Because of Florida politics through a whirlwind of exposure, I was given a voice to share this pride regardless of those who I would lose along the way. Yes, in making a stance on this human rights issue, I have knowingly lost clients, followers, and faced haters (and continue to today).

What does this mean for me, my business, and my art? Nothing has changed for me in what I creatively express and the business that I conduct. For myself, being highly motivated to nurture growth on this issue, I have devised and coordinated an alliance in our area (volunteers, community leaders, and businesses). Together, we will bring pride officially back to our city and connect our community with those who choose to love. Our alliance is planning local events so that friendships can be made and we are creating a resource for those seeking help. Come June 2024, I hope to report that our major pride event is an even grander success!

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
First, find your values and STICK by them. Don’t let anyone bring you down, especially when you know that what you’re fighting for is important. It is easier to make decisions like this when you consider others and the impact or difference that would be made.

Second, stop envisioning WHAT IF. You’ll never know. Moving forward is the only option, but certainly use anything you have learned in the first round to improve the next one.

Lastly, KNOW YOUR LIMITS. When you feel things slipping, seek help, slow down, or take a break. Sometimes, a brief moment of this can replenish the fire that needs rekindling.

In any journey along this pathway – in business and advocacy – the biggest advice that I can give is just keep at it. SO many people give up with it gets rough. Why give up now? Keep the motivation, keep fighting, pushing, and give it your all. Some day, you’ll look back and glad you did.

And I mean this next statement in all seriousness, give it your all, but don’t LOSE yourself. You will know when enough is also enough… we all have our limits.

Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?
After working with so many companies and individuals over the years, I have learned that the most ideal client is one that you work with well, but you also consider a great friend. For future this would be someone who I would get along with on fundamental values and understanding, one that we can plan and execute visions but have a great time doing it. Going beyond that, I would love to work with someone who has needs in photo, film, and marketing so that me and my team can efficiently take care of them all around to our full capability. For long term projects, this means that the client would be seeking a consistent, hard-working friend to climb the mountain with them and their business.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
SPECTACLE (Pride in St. Cloud): Cover Drag Queen @jonnyrjones SPECTACLE (Blooming Blues): Model: @isapuzzini.fashion.model SPECTACLE (unnamed, unpublished): Model: @teehupp SPECTACLE (Sinking Further): @sararuthofficial Self Portraits @kristinabozanich

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