About Higher Focus
Great Photography For Everyone
I Love to Help People Feel Lovely and Confident in their Hard work.

Hi Friends!
Thank you so much for stopping by to learn more about Higher Focus Studios and the person behind the camera! I’m so excited to have the opportunity to introduce myself and share the passion that drives my work.
At Higher Focus Studios, it’s not just about taking photos—it’s about capturing the authenticity and telling your story!
As the person behind the camera, I truly believe that the best photos come from genuine connections, so I make it a priority to get to know my clients, understand their vision, and help them feel at ease. The result is a collection of images that feel natural, timeless, and full of life portraying your goals and vision as well.
I can’t wait to learn more about you and your story, so don’t hesitate to reach out and say hello! Whether I am highlighting your products and your business, or capturing your latest family milestone, I’d love to be part of your journey and help you preserve these steps along the way. Let’s create something beautiful together!
Our History
It’s hard to believe that over 20 years have passed since we started this incredible journey from humble beginnings.
Throughout the years, we’ve had the honor of documenting countless weddings, families, and children, each one adding to the beautiful story we’ve been privileged to tell. Our clients have graciously invited us into their lives, allowing us to capture their most precious moments, one click at a time.
From the first kiss as newlyweds to the joyful laughter of growing families, we’ve been there to document it all, and each moment has been a gift.
Our main focus has always been to capture real-life, authentic moments—the kind of photos that reflect who you truly are, rather than just pictures that say “cheese.” We believe that every couple, every family, and every individual has a unique story, and our mission is to preserve those stories in a way that’s meaningful and timeless.
We are eternally grateful for the trust our clients have placed in us to witness and capture their love, milestones, and memories. It is truly a privilege to be a part of such important moments in their lives, and we can’t wait to continue telling more beautiful stories for years to come.

Our Focus
What captivates YOU? What leaves you breathless? Maybe it’s the sun setting over the ocean, the birth of your child or even that perfect cup of espresso in the morning Every day holds beautiful, fleeting moments. These small, everyday moments are what captivate us as photographers and we LOVE to capture them for you. But above that there is an even deeper, underlying purpose in life that we desire to keep & hold our focus from day to day; for us that is Jesus. Even before we are great photographers, we want to know His greatness and surrender to His will every morning, before our feet hit the floor.
This is the reason for Higher Focus Studios. Not only for us to be transparent about our hope but even more important to remind ourselves personally to keep our focus on higher things, the Truth. We are always eager to building new friendships over a cup of coffee. We would love to chat with you about what your focus is for the future and how we can help you capture those milestones…and beyond!
“Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.” Colossians 3:2
Kristen, owner of Higher Focus Studios, lives in Western Maryland with her family.
The three most important Reasons I love Photography…




Confidence
She is learning confidence by watching me as a woman and business owner

Determination
He is learning to appreciate each milestone chapter on his own journey to adulthood

Milestones
She’s growing quickly. Photography allows me to treasure each day, turning into years
Our Reality Check
after a traumatic loss in our lives in 2022, we finally bit the bullet and prioritized cutting back so I could prioritize our family. our kids were young and our youngest was then adopted in 2023, I have never Regretted taking that Risk!
Through everything the most consistent hustle in my life has always been photography! It has accomplished so many things for our family and given me the professional outlet I need to truly be myself. My family is my reason why I chose photography. I can be a WAHM (Work At Home Mom) and though it is one of the most intense things I have ever tackled, I would do it all again!
I look forward to the ways photography is going to continue expanding our horizons as our kids continue to grow, whether it is my oldest helping with a product shoot or learning on my retired cameras or my youngest who said “cheese” as one of her first words. My vision is to help others elevate their own visions for all that they can be!
So with that said…. May all your mornings be quiet, your down fluffy in the winter,
your corn sweet in the summer, the blossoms big in spring and the leaves bright in the fall!
I look forward to getting to know you when you drop me a line or give me a call!
My Area Of Expertise!
My journey as a wedding photographer began in the summer of 2005 when I photographed my first wedding (on FILM!) for a cousin at a sweet and elegant private estate around romantic Boston, MA. They needed someone to document their day, and I jumped at the chance to expand my skills beyond portraits and lifestyle photography. What I discovered was a deep love for capturing the genuine joy and intimate moments between couples and their families. Over the years, my passion grew into a business, and I have now photographed infants, seniors, families, weddings & elopements for over 20 years! I have evolved into specializing in Personal Brand and Product Photography! I love capturing special moments—but also the passion behind a small business… as they venture to make this world a better place with their services and products!
I would now say I specialize in branding packages for personal brand and product photography. I offer a comprehensive list of photography, both lifestyle and white-background listing images, video broll, infographics, banners, reels and more! I also offer an extensive list of portrait photography services for weddings, elopements, engagement sessions, couple portraits, family, newborn, maternity, seniors and more. All sessions are held at the location of your choice, mostly close to Grantsville, and Deep Creek Lake, Maryland. My photography focuses on using natural outdoor lighting as well as indoor studio setups. My brand photography often utilizes my studio. If you have an idea or vision that isn’t listed, don’t hesitate to reach out—I’d love to hear about it and discuss how I can help make it a reality!
I would describe my style as authentic and candid, with light guidance for portraits and group photos. I focus on capturing the true moments of the day without being intrusive or overwhelming you with constant posing. My goal is for you to be able to enjoy your photoshoot without worrying about the posing of your images. My editing style typically embraces bright, golden hues and good contrast to make colors pop and add warmth. You can see examples of my recent work on Facebook and Instagram or displayed throughout my website here.

Why Photography?
When I was 13, I made 2 instant cameras last for a 6-week trip to Kenya with my family, carefully planning each shot. Then waiting to develop the film and making sure to get my double prints. Haha. I guess that dates me a little bit… Yes, I am an 80’s baby!
I’ll never look back after experiencing the freedom of digital imaging, but it was like a light bulb came on and I couldn’t imagine life without capturing those memories! I shot my first wedding on film and the level of trust those clients had in me is not lost on me.

My Degree
My degree in Media Communications only heightened my love of freezing still photographs and refining my skills. It gives me great joy to freeze moments and emotions in time for others as well as for my own family. My degree also provided me experience with video and audio and websites and the desire to continue learning endlessly for the rest of my life. Since then I have continued to teach myself as I worked in Deep Creek Lake capturing the Vacation Industry and Vacation Rentals. Then on to a nonprofit for kids and a large Web Marketing agency focused on design and social media.
Contact Me
Complimentary Consultations!
Whether you’re just starting out or ready to elevate your existing brand, I offer free consultations to explore how we can bring your vision to life. This is a no-pressure discussion of your goals, your audience, and how we can collaborate to build a brand that truly represents you. Let’s see if we’re a great fit to work together!