Who is the Person Behind the Camera?

Who is this photographer and what are some interesting facts about Malaina? If you want to find out, feel free to grab a cup of coffee or tea and sit back in a comfy chair.

Growing up…

Daughter of a father from New York and a mom from California, Malaina started her life in Idaho. Her dad is a mechanic and her mom stayed home with her and her brother while living in a smaller home on a 10-acre piece of land. Playing cars out in the dirt with her brother was one of the many good memories made at that home. A dog, three cats and a turtle were a part of the family.

Church was a big part of Malaina and her family’s life. Growing up in a strict church with parents that were doing their best, making it as fun as they knew how, being with people that, for the most part, were kind, gentle and accepting, felt like it was “just a part of life”. There was no celebrating of Holidays and very rarely birthday celebrations. Malaina didn’t feel like she was missing much because she didn’t know any other way. As a child, Malaina loved playing with dolls and always wanted to be a mom.

At age 8, Malaina and her family moved to the Portland area where church was still part of life and housing was a bit different. Moving from a 10-acre piece of land to a dorm was challenging. The church dorm was called home for the next 5 years. Malaina attended church with her family, went to the church school, worked several Saturdays at the church, and made many great memories growing up with the same kids for the next 20 years (and eventually married one of those kids she grew up with).

Dating and married life…

Malaina met her husband at the church she attended. She grew up with him, was one of her brother’s best friends, and he was part of the family. Malaina and her husband, Randy, started dating when she was 17 and they married when she was 20. They both still attended the church they both grew up in, but in 2008, things changed. They both decided it was time to spread their wings and step out of the church they knew as their life. So much good came out of it, but things started feeling different and they needed to make a change. It was with a heavy heart, but they knew it was for the good. A year later they had their first child. Malaina quit her Accounting job of 8 years and became a stay at home mom. Two years later they had their second child.

Stay at home mom to fitness coach to photographer…

Malaina felt blessed to be able to stay home with her two daughters, but needed something for herself. The gym was the next “church” for Malaina. She brought her kids almost every day and made at least an hour for herself for working out. She was on a high in life; fitness was her new jam! Dancing in Zumba, working out in group classes, and enjoying the steam room was her life. She decided to become a fitness coach with Beachbody.

Beachbody was one of THE best things that happened to Malaina. She was working out almost every day, surrounded herself with people who lifted her up and encouraged her, and was drinking healthy smoothies every day…she was HIGH ON LIFE! Then her body decided it was time to give her some challenges. After several months of figuring things out, trying new things, and deciding on what the best thing was for her body, she decided to get a hysterectomy. Yes, she worked out a little here and there after healing, but it wasn’t the same. The energy wasn’t there and the business part of Beachbody wasn’t something she wanted to pursue any longer.

Malaina used her phone a lot for photo taking and she started to fall in love with getting up close to things in nature. She purchased a macro clip for her phone and went to town (not literally). She fell in love, her husband saw that she was enjoying it, and he purchased a camera for her. She was excited! She was hesitant, but she was excited.

Volunteering for several photo shoots helped her get experience, but was definitely taking a toll on her body. Malaina’s first paying job was the Park Rose High School Reunion. She was so nervous, scared of how the photos would turn out because, you know, it was new, it was something that was foreign to her, but she DID IT! She stepped out of her comfort zone, enjoyed herself, got paid, went home and realized she loved it! That’s when Malaina Kinne Photography became a business.

And that’s a little history of Malaina.

Okay, so Malaina is me. Yes, I wrote this blog. Why did I write it in third person? Because I thought I would be able to explain it a little better to you. If you’ve read everything up until the end, thank you. I thank you because not only did I want to start my photography business because I enjoy it, but to also help bring joy into your life whether it’s through photographing the products of your business or through a close up of a flower, a bee or a water droplet.