Asta Kristjansdottir, Photographer

Published by Leonardo Calcagno

Who are you :

Born in Reykjavik, Iceland, 1972. As a kid I loved taking pictures of people. At seventeen I started working as a model, which allowed me to travel the world. Eight years later I had moved from modeling to shooting photos of my fellow models. Since then I have been developing my skills in photography while gaining valuable experience through different projects, including starting an international modeling agency (ESKIMO), a clothing brand (E-LABEL), a fashion event (REYKJAVIK FASHION FESTIVAL), a department store for designers (ATMO) and a magazine (VOLG).
With different experience comes different knowledge. Today my involvement in projects ranges from “just” shooting the photos and post processing them, to finding the location,the make-up artist and stylist as well as recruiting the model(s).
This way, I use my different experiences to develop and create identity for individuals/brands and deliver the images you require.

In which city are you located?

Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland.

A word to define what kind of worker you are :

I am hyper active and I have a lot of creativity, sometimes I have to many ideas

What tools are essential to your life (app, software, etc..)

My camera, my photoshop and the phone.

What does your office space look like?

High ceilings, space and lots of daylight.

Do you have a way to organize your day to maximize your work ?

I always write down my goals…who do I like to work with. From there I make a plan of how to achieve those goals. I also keep a strict budget and estimate my yearly income in the beginning of every year. This way I have a plan to follow. My to do list is very useful as well, without it I would be totally lost.

What tips would you give to improve productivity ?

To do a mini business plan and try to follow it. When you work alone it is easy to get drifted away and loose focus.

You’re better than your colleagues to :

I don´t think I am better then anyone, I would rather say that we are all different. My thing is that I connect very well with my models on set. People that shoot with me say that they feel comfortable with me. I make sure I have a lot of patience and energy when I am shooting so I can get the subject to relax. I love people and faces and belief that if a person is comfortable with the photographer the outcome can be magical.

What is the best advice anyone has given you ?

You can do it! Thats what my parents taught me.

What is your best tip for saving time ?

To spend less time on Facebook!

What is your routine start and end of the day ?

I always wake up with a kiss from my husband and my little boy, have breakfast and coffee. Then I am ready for the day. But my days are very different depending on if I am on a set with lots of people or working on my photographs alone in my computer. I really like the variety as I get to interact with people with the pressure on and then to be by myself with my music and my photoshop.