Daily Inspiration: Meet Kirsten Gronau

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kirsten Gronau

Hi Kirsten, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I began taking photos back in high school in Paw Paw, Michigan just for fun because I always loved capturing the moment to have forever. Later on once it came time to apply for college, I had no idea what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, and then I remembered how much I loved portrait photography and creating art concepts. I then applied to Columbia College Chicago at 17 and eventually moved to Chicago at 18 to pursue a degree in Photography with a minor in Arts Management. It was the best decision I ever made for myself. I was taught by Pulitzer Prize winning professors, working with many incredibly talented photography students, and having my first magazine publication back in July of 2023 before graduating the following December of that year.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
When it comes to being a fine art fashion photographer, this field of work has such a strong focus in art expression and the road tends to be filled with some bumps and surprising curves. You have really successful weeks and months with collaborations and then you have ones that don’t go as you planned or that have to change. You also have to be your own marketing team as well, and you kind of wear multiple hats as you are your own business. However I wouldn’t change my career for the world. Art has always been at the core of who I am.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
The type of work I do is portrait photography that has a strong focus on commercial fashion and fine art. Essentially I like to create editorial photographs where I can tell a story but also have people recognize that fashion is also a focal point. One thing that I specialize in when creating my images is color theory. Color theory I believe is something that can push the idea you have even further as well as creating balance and immediate visual interest to the viewer. The thing I am most proud of thus far in my career was being published in Chicago Style Weddings magazine last July. It was the first time my photographs and name where available for the public to purchase in stores and it was something that I never thought was possible. It was a moment of reassurance that I picked the right career path.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
There are multiple people in my life that deserve credit. First off my family and friends from Paw Paw/Kalamazoo that have stuck with me to this day. They were very supportive in my decision to pursue photography and move to a different place from where I grew up. All my professors, mentors and other fellow photography students at Columbia College Chicago are what helped me get my work to level it is today by teaching me the skill sets, and help finding my photographing style. Others that deserve credit are all the people and friends I have worked with in the Chicago area and all the friends I have made over the course of my college career. They all deserve credit for giving me the level of support I needed and offering help when I needed it as well.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kirsten-gronau.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kgronauphotography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kirstengphotography/