I’m Kristina Staal, owner and photographer at Kristina Staal Photography and I’m also the owner of the new Fairfield Skating Club! I’m a wife to a really supportive husband and am a stay-at-home mom to our two beautiful little girls. I absolutely love dogs (we have 4!), spending time with family and friends, photographing weddings and families, and skating! Kristina was also all over at the Taste of Fairfield taking professional pictures! Blog post coming soon for those!
Where are you originally from and how long have you been in Fairfield?
I was a military brat, so I moved around a lot growing up! I was born in Germany while my dad was stationed there & lived in Canada and the USA.
Tell us about your Family!
We’re a family of 4 (plus 4 dogs!). We are always active and love spending time outdoors, doing activities, going to the zoo and beach, and spending time on the ice. We also love to travel and have a fun travel trailer that we take camping trips in!
One thing people would be surprised to know about you?
People are always surprised when they learn that we homeschool! We’ve had so much fun homeschooling and have such a wonderful community to do it with. It’s been such a blessing to us!
One thing you wish someone would have told you about motherhood?
That the path to motherhood and navigating motherhood is not always so straight-forward – there’s definitely not a cookie-cutter plan to motherhood! But, once you become a mom, it is literally the best thing in the entire world!
What’s your favorite thing about raising a family in Fairfield?
All of the activities for kids, the beach and the wonderful friends we’ve made.
Best mom hack that makes your life easier?
I got this from another mom! I have a basket of hair stuff in our kitchen and do my daughters’ hair every morning while they eat breakfast. I also have a “morning basket” for my oldest, so she gets to start her school work on her own while I make breakfast and help her little sister. And, using a set of kitchen scissors to cut food for young kids is so much faster and easier than a fork and knife!
Tell us about your new business venture, and when & why you decided to get into this business?
I grew up figure skating and have a background in managing skating schools / coaching. I really want my girls to grow up having the same opportunities to skate and loving the sport too. I felt there was a need for an ice skating school / learn to skate program in Fairfield, so I decided to start one and see how it went! There’s been lots of great feedback and people wanting to join – it makes me so happy to see so many parents wanting their kids to learn how to skate!
Why is it important to learn to ice skate?
It teaches so many great skills! Balance, coordination, patience, confidence, resilience & determination. Growing up figure skating, the sport always kept me striving to get better, to stay focused, and it was a positive way to spend my time. I made friends that had similar interests, and we spent all of our time at the arena and as I got older, also coaching. Teaching the next generation about the sport and creating the same type of opportunities and enviornment for them is so important!
Tell us about your photography business?
I’m a wedding and family photographer and also photographed New York Fashion Week. Capturing weddings is such a joy, and it’s a constant reminder of how special marriage is. Spending time with families and knowing that I’m capturing photos that will be passed down through generations is such an honor. Sometimes, when I capture families, I’m able to take my family with me and my husband and girls will go for a walk while I photograph. My daughter is almost 5 and she always talks about wanting to photograph things – I think it’s a great influence for them!
Best advice for moms who experience the inevitable MOM GUILT handling a career and raising a family?
With so much going on, I think it’s easy for moms to forget how important and special it is for our kids to also see their moms pursing their passions and putting their talents to use. I love being able to spend time with my girls and juggle being a mom while also pursuing a career I’m passionate about and I know will benefit my children. I believe it shows my girls that it’s important to have a passion and to turn your talents into a career.
Who has most influenced you to be the mom that you are today?
God and my mom & dad. When I’m unsure of how to deal with things, I turn to my faith and prayer and let God lead the way. My own mom and dad have also guided and instilled strong work ethic in me. I believe the love, support & encouragement they showed me growing up helped form me into the mom I am today.
What advice would you share with a new mom or other moms?
To surround yourself with other moms that bring out the best in you, are supportive, love your kids, and are always there for one another! And, to take time at the end of every day to slow down and enjoy the moments of putting your sweet kiddos to sleep – taking those extra minutes to spend with my kids with no distractions at the end of the day are some of my favorite memories!
We love supporting local businesses – favorite places in Fairfield to…
Have Dinner with Family: Little Pub
Grab a Drink with Friends: I don’t drink, so we usually grab ice cream! Sunny Daes and Milkcraft are my favs!
Spend time together as a Family: We love spending time together at the beach
Outside Activities: The beaches & biking around Southport!
Grab coffee: I don’t drink coffee, but my favorite cafe place to go to is Isabel & Vincent
How to contact you!