Los Angeles based photographer: Kristen Rutherford

Studio Info

Why Kristonian Photo?

I grew up in Washington D.C. and when I moved to NYC, my best friend nicknamed me “Kristonian like Smithsonian."

Some of my clients —

Bleuet Girl
Olaplex
Cohen Williams
Butterfly Garden Preschool

Pilgrim School
Netflix Corporate

Car light is the best light

that’s why you see so many people doing tiktoks in their car imho

(also -this is how bright I prefer my hair color)

A LITTLE ABOUT ME

I’ve been making photos ever since I got my first Nikon SLR in 1999 for Christmas. My main job for the past 20 some years has been working as a television writer, but I would do tons of portraits and family photos on the side. During the shut-down of 2020, when everything paused, and I had a little time to reflect, I thought - why not make my SIDE hustle my FRONT hustle, and so I made the switch. I still take the occasional writing job, especially if it’s content or people that I like, but photography is my jam.

A SMALL BULLET POINT LIST OF RANDOM FACTS

  • I’ve been keeping my hair pink for almost 15 years. Sometimes I’ll put a color panel in the back, but magenta is my color and I like it best when it’s fully bright.

  • I can tell you if a shrink wrapped royal icing cookie is going to be good. It’s not the best superpower but what can you do?

  • Remember the PMRC hullabaloo in the 80s? That whole thing happened because of me.

  • My first writing job was for Pop Up Video on VH1.

  • I have a small speaking role in Howl’s Moving Castle, but my favorite movie of all time is Spirited Away.

  • I want to retire part time to Japan. Not just because of egg sandos and grape mentos, but I admit they’re a slice of that pie chart.

  • My dad was one of the founders of the Peace Corps with Sgt. Shriver & Bill Moyers.

  • I’m a card carrying member of the old Frenz of the Enz fan club and will still drop everything to see Neil Finn live.

  • I used to run a small baking business out of my NYC apartment making wedding cakes and favors.

  • I have a dog named Commander Pickles and a cat named Sailor Twift.