Meet Kristine McLean | Photographer and Teacher

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

Hi Kristine, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I am a teacher and have always loved photography. It wasn’t until COVID that I truly had time to peruse my passion. Finding that I could get outdoors and take photos was relaxing and inviting for me. I am an equestrian and as I started taking pictures I realized I had a knack for taking pictures of horses. Soon my friends started to ask me to be their photographer for shows and other projects.
I am still working from the ground up, but I am beginning to get a base at the local level.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My photographs are about celebrating the team that equestrians are with their horses. It’s about finding the beauty in their journey. I love that I can find those moments in time where it shows the heart, the connection, and the trust that brings them together.

The part that is most difficult for me is that I am in love with horses. I want to show them in their best and I work hard at finding that one shot that is just priceless. So whom ever hires me, has to realize the journey we are in and that it’s not a cookie cutter job for me.

I think because of that, I am more cautious about getting out into the mainstream because I don’t want to lose the passion for the pictures. I am truly loving what I do. Looking at the photos and editing them, wanting to get the lighting, the connection, and the feel of the pictures just right.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My friends are nature lovers just like me. So we would be going to see some of the most beautiful places in Arizona. I would want to take them to the Superstitions, to Canyon Lake to paddle board, maybe make a pass by Butcher Jones to see the Salt River horses. If time permits, the Grand Canyon is high on my list. I love to hike the rim trail. There’s always great places to visit downtown Phoenix as well. I love the restaurants and Chase Field for baseball.
Closer to home here in Gilbert, we would absolutely go to the farmers market on Saturday morning, walk downtown and probably end up at Liberty. I love looking for small pops of nature around my area as well. We have the Gilbert Riparian off of Guadalupe rd. Oh and absolutely a must, we will go over to the Olive Mill in Queen Creek.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My husband, Matt, who encouraged me to follow my heart and he bought me my camera. And to all of my friends at the barn who encouraged me and hired me to take their photographs. They are all the reason I am taking this journey.

Instagram: @kristinemcleanphotography