June 2004 by Krystal McKay

Aspiring Hot Shot Krystal McKay has a very alluring stance on photography, one that I find myself every once and while coveting. While inspiration comes from the work of Alec Soth, Uta Barth, Esko Manniko, and, naturally, Eggleston—she gets the most from daily interactions with her friends and companions. Krystal regimentally likes to intuitively photograph every day. Such contradictions usually make for the best. In her words:

Photography, for me, is a way to record my memories. I am attracted to moments that would have quickly been forgotten had I not photographed them. I strive for simplicity and beauty in my photographs so these things follow in my life. I photograph very ritually. I carry my camera with me everywhere I go and seek out those fleeting moments that make me instantly smile and make my day more valuable. I hope that in translating my memories into images, they can stand as reminders to recognize the simple, beautiful moments that happen everyday in everyone's lives.