The Press Telegram Article
California Photographer of the Year | Kristi Elias
Press Telegram article on Long Beach Photographer Kristi Elias
LONG BEACH >> Juxtaposing images is a key element of Kristi Elias’ technique as a photographer, including the incorporation of youthful images in grown-up situations.
“They’re unique images, and they have shock value, instead of the standard picture,” she said.
That technique helped Elias win top honors recently at a state competition featuring more than 800 photographers across the state. The award makes her eligible for a national competition sponsored by Photographers of America, which, at 26,000 members, is the largest international nonprofit association of photographers.
Elias won Photographer of the Year at the 2014 Professional Photographers of California competition in late April, along with awards for specific photos, including one called “You Won’t Bully Me.” The photo includes a blending of two images: one a portrait of a boy in a studio, the other of an impoverished area of Argentina.
Elias said she was inspired by the toughness of a youth in a Muay Thai martial arts class her son was taking, and she wanted to emphasize his mental state by contrasting it with the image of a rough street scene.
Duane Murphy, vice president of Professional Photographers of Orange County, attributed the success of Elias’ photos to a style that he said is similar to grand master painters.
“She makes her subject bigger than life in different settings,” he said.
Elias was trained in photography at Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara from 1996 to 1998, then worked mainly in Los Angeles where she shot photos for magazines. One of her most memorable clients during that time was Ed O’Neill, better known as Al Bundy from the TV sitcom “Married With Children.”
Elias decided to set up shop in Long Beach about 10 years ago, after falling in love with the city, especially the Naples Island area, where she lives. Her business, Kristi Sutton Elias Photography, is located in Shoreline Village.
Her portraits are varied, but she especially enjoys the challenges of taking pictures of children. Patience is required — and sometimes food and talking works, too.
“You can get timeless portraits, if you let them be themselves,” the photographer said.
Reach the author at joe.segura@presstelegram.com or follow Joe on Twitter: JoeSeguraPT.
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~ International Photographer of the Year ~ Professional Photographers of America 2013 ~ 2014
Awarded “#1 Top 10 Photographer in California” ~ Professional Photographers of America 2013 – 2014
Portrait Photographer of the Year ~ Professional Photographers of California ~ 2014
Child Photographer of the Year ~ Professional Photographers of California ~ 2014
Illustration Photographer of the Year ~ Professional Photographers of California ~ 2014
