5 Questions With Cristin Goss
We are excited to launch our 5 Question series with Pittsburgh photographer + personal business hype girl Cristin Goss.
Cristin aka “Goss Boss” specializes in helping female entrepreneurs gain confidence in business and life.
Fun fact: She also shot our brand photos for the launch of The TEN. We highly recommend working with her to bring your brand visuals and vision to life.
Want to connect with Cristin or be the first to know about her next workshop? Follow her on Instagram!
#1 What idea or dream that is dancing in your head are you most excited to bring to life?
My big dream right now is to add more speaking opportunities and in-person workshops to my life!
Specializing in working with women over the last 7 years as a brand photographer has allowed me to lean into the intricacies and insecurities that hold those women back from greater success in life due to a lack of confidence.
My 3-part creating confidence framework has helped numerous women overcome blocks they have in their relationships, both personal and professional, career or business, and especially with their body image.
#2 We need your help! What should we do with our hands/arms in photos to look natural and confident?
The key to keeping nerves at bay and looking natural and confident in photos is to incorporate movement!
If you strike a pose sometimes it feels flat and stiff, but if you're moving around, just having a good time, laughing, moving around, playing with your hair, playing with your glasses or other props, I'm able to capture more of that authentic vibe.
It’s going to help with showcasing your personality and keep the butterflies away!
#3 Working as a creative professional is a great life, but it’s not without its challenges. Can you share your go-to tips or routines for keeping your mental health in check?
I recently have started EMDR (Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) therapy, which has been a game changer for my mental health.
When I started my business, I was a young/new mom and over the last 7 years I had another baby, lost my dad and my best friend suddenly, and struggled as a small business owner during a pandemic.
It was a lot to handle, and I stuffed a lot down and tried to trudge forward without stopping to take care of myself, physically or mentally. In January, I booked the appointment and unpacked a lot of years of hurt and trauma. It has shifted the way I look at life and my business (in a good way)!
#4 Balancing Entrepreneurship and motherhood is a delicate (and overwhelming) juggling act. What’s one piece of advice for mothers considering starting their own business?
I’m not sure I’m the best equipped to give advice as I know that I have really struggled with this juggle!!
But one thing I can say is to take one day at a time. Even if you’ve had a hard day with the kids or with your business, it’s just ONE DAY. Tomorrow is a fresh start.
#5 You describe yourself as a personal cheerleader (which we can vouch for!) …Can you leave us with a pep talk?
One of my favorite interactions in the studio or on-location with clients is acting as their personal hype girl because let’s face it, as women especially, we DO NOT do it for ourselves (and honestly rarely hear it from others).
When my former assistant Paige would come on shoots, she used this phrase that may be cliche, but let me tell you, when she said it and when I say it still, it really brings a smile and a whole mood change to a shoot: “YASSSS QUEEN!!!”
If it’s hard to hype yourself up, find some women that you can put in your corner to cheer, yell, clap, and support you, always!!
