Meet Kris Lori | Professional Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kris Lori and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kris, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
My work life balance has always been so delicate for me. I started shooting when I was 17 years old and I was still in high school, super involved in extracurricular activities, and yet I made sure that I could shoot shows. I would ride the Purple Line from Boston to Providence and do my homework so I could shoot shows at night. Into college it was a similar vibe.

Then I entered the adult world, where I had a full time job and bills to pay; it was a lot more difficult. I would work my job and on lunch breaks pitch myself to publications or email publicists to shoot shows. Then I would bring my camera gear to work and go straight from work to a show. I think the biggest thing that keep this in check is honestly a physical planner, understanding that I love the work that feeds the soul, and make sure I still take time to be Kris.

I’m very much the person who uses vacation days to go shoot festivals or do other photo gigs. I’ve never seen an issue with that but I know that I do have to carve in time to be still. To be home, be present; whether that means cooking a meal at home or napping around with my cats. I need that time to get my head and heart aligned to tackle the next big project at work or get ready to tackle a series of concerts to shoot.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I think I would want people to hear the name Kris Lori and recognize that I have quality work; to know that I am a hustler but also someone who is kind and good to work with. I have met some photographers that have excellent work but the downfall is that they are not good people. No one wants to work with someone who isn’t a good person; that’s just the truth of it all. That was one of the very first lessons photographer I met told me and it’s stuck with me since then.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would probably start with a coffee from either Philz on Polk St or from this cute new cafe, The Coffee Berry, Then take it a walk along the Marina Green; it’s not far from me and I love being able to get some time away from a screen when I can. Good for the eyes and the soul in my opinion. I usually love going for walks there and on lazy days to go there with a book and read in the grass.

Im a sucker for bookstores so I end up in Books Inc on Chestnut or the Russian Hill bookstore on Polk St quite often. I love to look at some of the photography books but also pick up some new fiction to read. Amoeba Records on Haight St is dangerous to me because I can’t walk out of there without something. I usually walk out with a minimum of 3 records to add to my collection.

Bar wise, I am a big fan of For The Record on Greenwich St. It’s a 70’s music bar that has an amazing gin martini. The bartenders are so kind, the fries are perfect, and I love going there when it’s quite and write in my journal. My other go to spot is Black Magic Voodoo Lounge on Lombard. This place is such a vibe to chill out and hang out with friends. It’s not big at all but it’s a great dive bar to hit up after work or after a show. Steve is a bartender there and is always attentive and he even plays trumpet in the bar on Sundays.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Since day one my mother has been my biggest supporter of my photography. She allowed her teenager to go to shows and work late nights (yes, even on school nights) because it made me happy. She has been my +1 to shows and festivals where she has gotten to see the joy on my face when I’m shooting and she has made me food so Im fueled for late nights of editing. When I left home, it broke her heart but she knew I had to do much with my life and my work. I travel the world and she always checks, she always wants to see my work, she always loves what I do, and her love has fueled me when I am my harshest critique. Thank you, Mama. Your Pepita couldn’t have done all of this without you.

Website: www.krislori.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/kris_lori

Image Credits
Image Credit: Kris Lori