I am excited to introduce you to people who live, work, play and do business in our community and city. Learning about people of every lifestyle, talents, and personalities that I think would be interesting for our readers to enjoy. San Diego has a wonderful diversity of individuals that make our slice of paradise the greatest place to live and enjoy each otherโs uniqueness.
How did you end up in San Diego and what do you love about it?
I just so happen to be one of those โallegedlyโ rare natives, that left for a spell and came back.ย I was born in Coronado in 1979, and my family has been around here since the 1950s. Thereโs a lot to love in this city, but I love Coronado Beach the most. Itโs my go-to happy place where I can reset and relax. It is truly my home.ย
What gets you excited about life?
So many things! Quality time with family and friends, good food and travel, learning and teaching, to name a few. Really, this whole crazy journey excites me, and the unplanned moments that happen when you just let them.ย ย
As a business owner, what makes your businesses stand out?
My work and experience mean little without the community, clients and followers that support me in my respective professions. So, what makes me stand out is the โword of mouthโ from a good reputation and the sound work ethic I have. That has been instrumental in the success Iโve been humbled to experience, both as a photographer in just about every genre for the past 20 years, to a personal trainer the last five years alongside it. Distinctly different professions that I work really hard to balance, they each require my โeye,โ experience and knowledge, but they also require that the client prepare, and put in the effort in order to see results. I suppose I could say the cliche I make my businesses stand out too, but I know I wouldnโt be where I am without the people who put trust in me, to help them look and feel better about themselves. ย
What small act of kindness were you once shown that youโll never forget?
The impromptu FaceTime call I got from one of my best friends a few months ago. Weโve known each other over 30 years now. He called just to tell me how much our friendship meant to him, and it stopped me in my tracks in the most heartwarming way.
When you start to recount all youโve been through in those years, it really adds up. Teen years, becoming adults, trying to act like adults, relationships, life experiences, growing older and realizing how valuable โtimeโ really is.ย
I guess thatโs just it, we donโt stop and think about it very often, because weโre too busy doing it. It isnโt until we get older and slow down a bit, do we then realize these things.
By the time Nick was finished with his beautiful words, I had some happy tears and the true meaning of a best friend was clearer than ever. I am incredibly grateful for his friendship and kindness, through thick and thin. (Cue โGolden Girlsโ theme song)ย
If the universe could grant you one wish, what would you wish for?
Just one? Mandatory yoga and anger management classes for all human beings. So basically, world peace! ๐
If you wrote a book about your life, what would you title it and why?
โAn Attitude of Gratitude: A photographic sojourn of the life and times of Kristofer Reynolds.โ
My journey so far, has been a series of incredible experiences and people. Many of which Iโve captured in photographs. I am grateful for every one of them. Good, or not so good at the time, those experiences and people have shaped me into the man I am, and will continue to until the day I move on from here. In my humble 41 years of living, I feel that an attitude of gratitude is necessary to live a full and happy life. No matter who you are. How one chooses to be in the world, dictates what one receives in the world.ย
If you had a chance to spend $1 million on yourself, how would you spend it?
If I must spend it on myself, Iโd spend it on a home in Coronado, or at least a down payment. Itโs really about having a place for my mom though. I know she wants nothing more than to be back on the island, and it would make me happy to see her happy, back there with her friends and where her heart is.
If you could give someone advice about your art, hobby, or business, what would you tell them? ย
A few things come to mind that I have learned in creating art, and conducting business:
- Never stop learning and trying new things.ย Success isnโt built on a model of perfection; itโs built on the flaws we encounter and how we handle them along the way.ย
- Whether you are a beginner, or a seasoned vet in your respective field, do not undervalue what you offer. In fact, do the opposite, and find a ridiculou$ly happy medium in valuing yourself. This will help ensure you meet the inevitable โHenry hagglersโ halfway, and weed out the lookie looโs from the lookie doโs!ย
- Practice confidence and humility in everything you do. They can actually go hand in hand when fully understood. Procure them both daily with kindness and good intention.ย
- Do your respective profession not simply for the money it can, or does, provide youย but because it also enriches your life. Trust and believe if itโs doing that for you, it can do that for others.
If you were granted one superpower for life, what would you choose and why?
To be omnipotent. The definition of omnipotence is to โhave unlimited power and be able to do anything.โ The first thing I would do is flyโฆI have no idea where or what after that, but I suppose thatโs how Superman started too.ย
If you had the opportunity to join someone you love, admire, or wanted to meet over a cup of coffee, who would it be, and what one question would you ask them?
Iโd like to join who or whatever is the creator of all of this!ย I imagine it would have to be over coffee, because you know, they need a lot of energy to handle the universe and stuff. And although I was always told to not ask questions you donโt really want answers to, I want to know why? What is this all about?ย Assuming the answer is something pleasant, or perhaps none at all (โcause that would be so apropos) I would still like to say โThank youโ for my existence.ย
Have you ever made a decision that changed your life, and if so, what was it?ย
Yes, I have. Itโs amazing when you sit back and think about how many decisions you make in your life, that change its entire path. The first one that comes to mind was March 6, 1999. I was living in Boise, Idaho with my dad, about to start college at Boise State University. Iโve learned my gut instincts have never been wrong about situations or people in my life, and I knew that wasnโt the place for me to be coming out and into my own. Nor was San Diego, yet.ย So, at 19 years old I sold my car, and the few possessions I had, and I moved with some friends to Orlando, Florida. Mind you, Iโd never been further than Chicago, so it was quite the adventure.ย
I will never forget the feeling as I heard the sound of the airplane taking off out of Boise, watching through the window as we ascended into the sky, and I left my childhood behind me and hurled myself into adultingโฆish. I didnโt know what was going to happen, but I knew it would be OK. Everything always works out.ย
Twenty years later, two degrees, a couple of professions and a lot of love under the bridge, Iโm still here, and I probably wouldnโt be writing this to you today if I hadnโt made that decision.ย
Kristofer Reynolds
Photography –ย KristoferReynolds.com
Fitness –ย KRFitLife.comย
FB – @KRPhotographyINC or @KRFitLife
IG @KristoferReynoldsPhotography or @KRFitLifeSD
619-892-8848