Kristen Brown, Photographer - Samba to the Sea
September 2025: Rising Tide Issue 8
Meet Kristen Brown, Photographer, Samba to the Sea
Tell us about your business and how you got started.
Over a decade ago, I swapped my corporate heels in NYC for a surfboard in Costa Rica. Experiencing the most breathtaking sunsets, dreamy waves, and mesmerizing beach landscapes in what I like to call “pura vida-dise” (the words “pura vida” and “paradise” combined), inspired me to pick up my camera and photograph the natural beauty for which I was falling head over heels.
My professional photography journey started with creating postcards with my photographs from those magical moments that I was capturing, and the success of selling those postcards gave me confidence to pursue a career as a photographer. My photography captures breathtaking views from land, soaring perspectives from the air, and serene scenes from the sea - from Costa Rica to right here in the Lowcountry in Savannah. I feel so fortunate that I’m able to call two beautiful locations home!
These photographs transport you to coastal paradises, allowing you to experience your own slice of bliss right from home. In addition to fine art photography prints via my shop The Sunset Shop, in March I self-published a coffee table book featuring my Costa Rica photography, called Slice of Pura Vida-dise.
What’s your REAL JOB title?
Creative entrepreneur! In addition to being a professional photographer, I run my whole business - from building my own websites, branding, social media, running the books, client specialist, sales, marketing, and more!
What’s the most FUN thing about your day job as a business owner?
Connecting with like minded people over the beauty of nature, sharing joy with others, and photographing magical moments!
How does your business align with innovation, sustainability, or community engagement?
My business is a proud member of the non-profit organization 1% for the Planet, where 1% of my gross revenues are donated to help protect and keep nature beautiful. Also, I’m very careful in how I share my photography - in my new Costa Rica coffee table book Slice of Pura Vida-dise, I made the decision to not share locations of the photographs in order to protect the wildness of the locations. We’ve all seen how locations can quickly change because of a viral post, affecting the natural beauty and animals of that location. One of the main themes in the book is to be a responsible, respectful human in wild nature and with the spaces we share with nature. My Instagram community / tribe really aligns with this too, and I appreciate each and every conversation that I have with my tribe.
At Salacia, we’re all about relaxation. What does relaxation look like for you?
Surfing, walking on the beach, watching sunrise or sunset, being in nature, spending time with family and friends!
Kristen is offering a free Savannah postcard pack ($10 value) with purchase of a 8x10 or larger photo print on her website (thesunsetshop.com). Use code: Salacia
Postcards from her collection will be included in October's Southern Charm Subscription Box.
