Get to know me!

Hi, I'm Christina Hartnell.

Photography has been a part of my life for over a decade. What started with a camera and a dream in 2014 quickly became a passion for capturing the people, relationships, and moments that matter most. After joining local photography groups and volunteering with a nonprofit organization, I discovered that portrait photography was where my heart truly belonged.

In 2017, I attended West Coast School in San Diego, California. The education, mentorship, and hands-on experience I received there gave me the confidence to turn my passion into a business. The instructors and photographers who invested in my growth helped shape both my technical skills and artistic vision, and I remain incredibly grateful for the foundation they provided.

My education did not stop there. Photography is constantly evolving, and I believe learning should never end. Each year, I invest in workshops, conferences, classes, and professional training opportunities to continue refining my craft. Learning from some of the industry's leading photographers allows me to stay current with new techniques, lighting methods, posing approaches, and technologies so I can provide the best possible experience and results for my clients.

Today, I specialize in weddings, senior portraits, family photography, and branding sessions throughout Northern California and Lake Tahoe. My style combines expert guidance, dramatic lighting, and genuine emotion to create images that feel both timeless and authentic. You do not need to know how to pose or what to do in front of the camera. I will guide you every step of the way, helping you feel comfortable and confident while creating artwork that tells your story.

In 2020, I married my best friend, and after a journey that included many challenges and medical interventions, we welcomed our beautiful son into the world. We now live in the small town of Cool, California, where we enjoy raising our family, spending time outdoors, and enjoying life with our horses and pets. The slower pace of small-town living has given me a deep appreciation for the simple moments that often become our most treasured memories.

In 2023, I was diagnosed with Stage IV Follicular Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. That experience forever changed my perspective on life and reinforced something I had already learned through photography: moments matter. The photographs we create today become the memories we hold onto tomorrow. Going through treatment taught me not to wait for the perfect time to celebrate, document, and cherish the people we love.

Today, I am cancer free and more grateful than ever for the life I have been given. My family is my world, and that perspective carries into every wedding, portrait session, and milestone I photograph. I understand how quickly life changes and how valuable these memories become.

Thank you for taking the time to learn a little about me. It would be an honor to help preserve your story and create photographs that your family will treasure for generations.

Live fully. Celebrate often. Preserve the moments that matter.