MN Business Branding & Commercial Photographer
Meet The Artist : Kristen Jyrkas, Creative
Hi there!
I’m Kristen Jyrkas (formerly Perala) or more commonly known as George!
Minnesota Finn. Creative. & Adventurer.
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I first discovered my love for art at a young age in elementary school. Being blessed with a best friend at the time whose mother was an artist we joyfully attended many art fairs and workshops. That love and curiosity for art was rediscovered during my studies at MSU-Moorhead where I was working on a Graphic Design degree in the Fine Art program. Eagerly, I joined as many studio classes one could take per semester: I explored the handcraft of ceramics, surrendered to copperplate etchings and lithography where I also found a passion for printmaking, and within the darkroom where images were created by hand I found the love for fine art photography. I spent four years in the depths of many studio arts, creating with a community of driven individuals where we found freedom.
Freedom to discover. Freedom to create. Freedom to be.
I don’t think turning back was ever an option.
After college I worked diligently in the print design and photography industry saving money to explore the vastness of South East Asia. I was blessed with many amazing projects that led me to many beautiful souls. These professional experiences pushed me personally and developed my skills in numerous way in both photography and design. My camera brought me around the world to remarkable places and up-lifting moments of connection, allowing me to see everything much differently. I will forever be grateful for the opportunities I created to live in new landscapes and experience new cultures for extended periods of time. For without these life experiences I wouldn’t be who I am today; the ways, kindness and generosity of those from foreign places has a way of re-shaping you. I find it to be one of life’s greatest gifts.
In the fall of 2018 I launched my own business after returning from Thailand after 6.5 months of training Muay Thai with a broken foot and no money. And so was the birth of Kristen Perala, Creative.
The part most forget to mention about entrepreneurship is that it also comes with some deep healing. Perhaps it’s from the typical busy-ness with being employed being gone. Perhaps it’s just divine timing. But it forces you to face the demons you’ve been running from and traumas that are subconscioulsy controlling your daily life, affecting one’s ability to maintain a business. But with faith, courage and persistence one is able to make it through. I am happy I can confidently say I am a business owner AND a survivor of childhood molestation. Through this blessing of healing I found my purpose. That purpose which is to just be.
And for me, being is simply this: To be who God created me to be.
To connect with those around me offering support, love, art and healing. And to work with other soul-led business owners as they begin their entrepreneurial journey.
Over the past 5 years I have documented love stories and family milestones, built out brands for passionate entrepreneurs, and showcased the skills and gifts of those in our rural community.
It’s this gift of connection and realness with others that keeps me going.
Now in 2024, I am Kristen Jyrkas, Creative after receiving God’s greatest gift yet of reciprocal love and marriage. I currently offer business branding and commercial photography based out of Ottertail, Minnesota, serving the Minnesota lakes area and beyond. And when I’m not creating for others I am creating a beautiful life and home.
You can often find me barefoot outside and in my garden. Making nourishing food and building a beautiful life with my husband. Being an auntie to many nieces and nephews. Growing my knowledge in holistic and trauma healing practices. And striving my best to be present with what is in front of me.
I believe expanding our purpose is key in embracing ones unique gifts to fully show up and give back to the world. Exploring purpose through the heart and mind leads to acceptance and surrender to a plan greater than your own. It provides room to free us from our limiting beliefs and be as God intended.
I value collaboration, creativity and realness.
Through working with artists and soul-led brands, and offering support and creativity, I hope to showcase their unique gifts in goods and services and share it with others in an effort to create a more uplifting, conscious and sustainable world.
If you feel led to launch your dream business or need some holistic resources, please reach out! I’d love to connect and see how I can best serve you in the developing your professional image and ease the launch of your business!
With Gratitude
I thank you from the bottom of my heart for being here today. And especially thank you to those who have supported and encouraged me over the years. Sending many blessings to all and God’s peace.
- K. Jyrkas
(View photography and branding services below and discover the ways in which Kristen can help establish an effective visual identity that elevates your brand from the get-go! )
What is lifestyle brand and commercial photography?
I help business owners showcase their products and services authentically through connective, creative and honest photography. When you invest in professional photography for your business you immediately elevate your brand and provide more credibility. And if photographed intentionally, it’s another form of communication to your audience. My knowledge in art, photography and graphic design provides clients with consistent, versatile and impactful galleries making marketing easier and boosting professional image from the start.
MN Business Branding & Commercial Photography Services
Conceptual & Lifestyle Brand Photography
Providing clients with an impactful photo gallery of intentional, connective and creative imagery that boosts both confidence and professionalism. These branding sessions can include but are not limited to: conceptual portraits that embody the brand, offer an inside peek at your client experience, and showcase your products and services in a real way. I strive for natural, consistent and creative photography that captures your brand’s spirit and services, giving you the credibility and space your brand deserves.
Product Photography
Authentically showcasing products with conceptual, honest and real photography that speaks true to the brand and products. These sessions can be great for new product launches, campaigns or for numerous products. Making your marketing easier with unique and powerful images that speak for you.
Interiors & Exteriors
Creative and detail-oriented architecture photography that documents the stories and details of spaces old and new. Providing clients with high-quality images showcasing their services with class and confidence for an elevated portfolio and professional website. These sessions can consist of wide-angle shots to capture the entire space plus creative imagery of those important details for editorial pieces and features.
Business Headshots
Causal and professional individual or group headshots that express your brand and employee personalities. An easy and comfortable experience with photography that’s naturally you. These headshot sessions include: 5 minute, 15 minutes and 30 minute collections ranging from those quick head and shoulder portraits to more creative and conceptual portraiture, whichever best fits your brand personality and needs.
Event Photography
Capturing the emotions and energy of your event to preserve memories and add impactful imagery to your marketing gallery. Honest, candid, natural photography that preserves your event and speaks for you. Events can range from fundraisers, street fairs, workshops, 5-K’s and more.
What is business branding?
Effective business branding is more than just a logo. It is the entire visual appearance of your business including logo design, business collateral, social media graphics, illustrations, packaging, photography and so much more. Strategic business branding is the consistent visual language of the business and how it communicates with its audience. It’s basically the communication of your brand without any words. It’s art. It’s design. It has rules, AND they work!
MN Business Brand Designer
My conceptual and minimalist design approach leaves clients with impactful logos and designs that are specific to their brand while maintaining a fun, casual and collaborative brand development process. A finalized brand identity is intentionally designed to connect with your audience effectively from the start leaving my clients with an elevated professional image and boost of confidence.
Business Branding Services:
Rebrand Projects
Been in business for a while but need to update your image? Recreate an existing brand with Kristen Jyraks for fresh, intentional and effective design to reboot your business.
Brand Build Outs
For those who have a logo but need the rest of the visual brand (collateral, packaging, social media graphics, etc.) in order to create specific and cohesive marketing materials. Develop your strategy, image and target market to reach those who need you, effectively.
Full Business Branding
One of the best investments for starting up a business is investing in yourself. And that includes your professional image right from the start. This is perfect for new businesses in need off all business branding services: logo design, business collateral, cards, letterhead, envelope, forms, social media, etc.
Create an impactful and honest brand with Kristen Jyrkas, Creative.
Where passion and collaboration meet.
Imani Natural Products Distributor
I believe our greatest healer already lives within and around us, through faith and the natural world we can heal. Explore and embrace traditional, natural and energetic modalities of healing that resonate with your body and spirit. Imani Natural Product essential oils are pure, medicinal grade oils handcrafted and poured in Nevis, Minnesota. Family-owned and operated since 1993.
“We believe that God has blessed us with a host of beneficial botanicals whose intelligence and complexity is unmatched in a laboratory. We have personally experienced the benefits of essential oils and use them everyday.
We encourage you to maintain personal control and responsibility for your health.
No one should be more interested in your health than you.”