Meet Krissy Osborne | Entrepreneur, Photographer, Artist, Designer

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

Hi Krissy, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
KO Studio is the latest evolvement of my business which includes photography, art, and design services. I began photography when I moved from Austin to Houston in 2018 and it was birthed from the desire to be able to take incredible photos of my nephews. Initially I photographed my family and their kids for holidays as well as friends who were entrepreneurs in need of new content. Not long after, I designed my wife and I’s first home and fell in love with the process and photographing the journey of upgrading a builder grade home. We were able to stage the home in such a way that resulted in a 6 figure home sale profit just a year and a half into owning the home. I began social media accounts for both photography and design which thankfully led to many more clients and referrals. I’ve since been hired for closet re-organization, consulting on the design of a business build out, selecting items for a remodel, and decor projects for single and multiple room scenarios. Although things seemed to be going well on the outside, my mental health was in a steep decline from 2020- 2022 which led to my search for healing modalities that would work for me. Therapy, prayer, journaling, meditation, exercise, medication, and workshops all helped to a degree, but it wasn’t until I began painting that I was able to really start expressing the way I was feeling and sharing it out loud. I reluctantly shared with a few friends who to my. surprise loved my work, were interested in purchasing it, and urged me to do an art show. I sold out my first show about a year later and have since been searching for a way to combine my talents under one umbrella. I believe KO Studio is this space I’ve created where I help others see themselves the way God sees them, inspire them to go after their dreams, and to love the environment that surrounds them. I hope my photos become art in their home, that my abstract art brings peace and a unique energy to their space, and that I can use my creative eye to help them love the space they live or work in. I look forward to having an actual studio that is spacious and bright enough to host open houses, shoots, workshops, and have a curated collection of items for purchase.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My abstract art so far has been extremely colorful and a way for me to express the feelings I don’t always understand. It’s not easy to be vulnerable but the bright colors and meditative strokes help me to create something that in the end, especially when framed is eye catching and far from the dark place I felt I was once in. I am happy to share that mentally I am in a much better place than when I began creating art and I pray that continues to be the case. It was very hard to do a show and have to explain what the pieces meant to me or what I was thinking when I created them. There were a lot of personal triumphs where I moved past certain limiting beliefs and I am so proud of myself for doing so. I’ve learned that taking risks can be very scary but the outcome has the potential to be extremely beautiful. Similarly to putting paint on a surface, I never know what the final outcome will be. Even if I have ideas for colors, tools, techniques I want to try… I allow the prior stroke to dictate the next. Taking things (and life) one step at a time is all we need to do to move through something. I work similarly when designing a space in that I have a vision of a final outcome that is loose enough to allow for last minute finds, pivots, extras, and final touches that can only be envisioned as the space is nearing completion. I believe that you don’t know what you don’t know, and often you learn and evolve along the way before a certain piece or project is complete. I want the world to know that my brand will continue to grow with me so when you work with me in one area (photography, art, or design) that I bring a creative eye and savvy that only someone with my unique skillsets and gifts can bring. One thing will remain, you will get my best. I’m professional, communicate well, deliver work on time, and will make your experience working with me as seamless as possible.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Some of my favorite spots in the city are buffalo bayou park where I love riding bikes or walking, enjoying time in the grass at the glades section of memorial park or at discovery green just reading a book or journaling, and checking out any local plant markets, cultural festivals, and live music happening outdoors. I started cooking a variety of vegan dishes at home at the beginning of 2024 so I’d say we’d eat at my personal kitchen, but if we were to go out we’d enjoy Mo Better Brews in medical area for some southern brunch, Ojo de Agua in River Oaks for an acai bowl or salad, Juiceland in Montrose for a cold juice, and The Ginger Mule in the heights for dinner. We would hopefully see some art The Menil, Art of the World Gallery, MFAH, or the Contemporary Arts Museum. If they were a fan of thrifting we’d definitely hit some of the shops in the heights or montrose area. One thing I haven’t done yet but would love to do with a friend would be a pottery or candle making class, I think that would be a lot of fun.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to send a shoutout to Nutritionist Keith Klein whom I worked with over a decade ago when I was competing in figure competitions. He has always believed in me and my inner power to do something great in the world. I also want to shoutout my friend, attorney, and realtor Bernie Aldape who was one of the first to encourage me to share my art publicly and for trusting me with countless shoots over the years and referring me to local friends. I have my friend and IFBB Pro Shonte Turner to shoutout for being the first to pay me for a shoot and believing that my gift was worth more than me giving it away. I also want to thank my friend and former colleague Renee Martin for hiring me for countless shoots and the opportunity to shoot her destination destination wedding. My sisters Kelley and Katy, thank you for being willing to get in front of my camera before I really knew what I was doing, for trusting me to be a part of your most special moments, and for having my nephews whom I absolutely adore. Last but not least, I have to thank my wife, Dr. Terri Osborne for her support and belief in my capabilities.

Instagram: www.instagram.com/krissyosborne

Facebook: www.facebook.com/krissyosbornephotography

Image Credits
1 image (first one) Taylor Hayden Photography All other images are my own.