An Interview with Crystal Zinn

MilspoFAN: How did you become a photographer?

Crystal: Photography has always fascinated me, long before smartphones became our go-to cameras. I started with a simple point-and-shoot camera and remember weekends sitting in my grandmother’s flower garden, camera in hand, waiting for a butterfly to land to snap a picture before it flitted away. Looking back, those pictures weren’t quite award-winning, but I learned a lot through experimentation about composition, lighting, and timing the perfect shot.

In high school, my passion grew through a photography elective. As my photography style was developing, I was especially drawn to macro and landscape photography. I loved capturing the tiny details - a ladybug on a leaf, the dusting of pollen on a flower petal, even the details of a butterfly’s eye. Still using a basic point-and shoot camera, it felt almost like a challenge to capture that level of detail.

Landscapes, though, felt like a transport to another world to me. A world that changes over time, dressing differently based on the time, season, or weather. One of my first personal mini-projects was documenting the family farm in two images: one lush and green during the peak of summer, and the other just before harvest in the early fall. Inspired by the world of Tolkien, I called it “The Road Goes Ever On.”

Another early favorite was a surprise white Christmas morning. Although I’d seen the scene many times before, the early-morning sunrise dressing everything in golden glitter was magic.

Early photography. Landscape shot of snowy Christmas morning

Years later, during a stressful corporate phase, my husband surprised me with a DSLR camera. Rediscovering photography as a creative outlet eventually led me to start a small photography business. My early professional work focused on family portraits, but as life took us to new place, I’ve been drawn back to landscapes. Today, I focus almost exclusively on immersive landscape photography of Okinawa, a photographic island offering endless inspiration.

MilspoFAN: Describe for us your creative work and the aesthetic of your photography?

Crystal: Growing up, I was encouraged to explore the outdoors, which shaped a love for nature’s small, quiet beauties. For me, landscape photography isn’t just about capturing a beautiful scene - it’s about the emotion it evokes. A great landscape can calm you, fill you with wonder, or spark a sense of adventure. But the most powerful images are those of places we’ve experienced, as they hold a bit of magic - a transporting power to take you back to those memories in that space again, and again, and again.

Original Okinawa Landscape, titled Sunkissed. Shows the early stages of a sunset at high tide over a tropical scene.

Original Okinawa Landscape, titled Sakura Splendor. Shows the puffy pink flowers of sakura in full bloom.

Original Okinawa Landscape, titled Tucked in Time. Shows traditional Okinawan house tucked in a tropical garden

In Okinawa, my goal is to transform everyday places as impressive landscapes. Since many of my customers won’t stay on the island forever, I aim to capture photographs that invite them to reconnect with the nostalgia, memories, and magic of their time here. Each photograph is an invitation to relive Okianwa’s beauty and the moments that made it special - again, and again.

MilspoFAN: How has your role as a military spouse impacted your work as a photographer- creatively, logistically, or otherwise?

Crystal: Being a military spouse has shaped my photography and business in countless ways. Creatively, it’s allowed me to experience the emotions I hope to preserve for others. When I capture landscapes, I’m not just creating art for someone else – I’m preserving my own memories too, creating little time capsules of the places we’ve called home.

Behind the scenes capturing landscapes in Okinawa

Knowing our time in each place is limited pushes me to explore far earlier than I might otherwise. I want to discover the places worthy of our memories and document them for myself and others - so I end up discovering hidden gems, meeting new people, and creating memories along the way. In many ways, this has made each assignment full of its own rich experiences.

Original Okinawa Landscape, titled Island Vibes. Shows the calming tropical oasis of Okinawa, Japan

Logistically, moving every few years presents challenges. Starting over in a new location often feels like hitting the reset button, but it’s made me more creative and resilient. I’ve learned to adapt quickly, rethink my approach, and build systems to establish my business wherever we go. Each move is a challenge, but it’s also an opportunity to grow.

Original Okinawa Landscape, title Memory Lane. Shows Sunabe Seawall at high tide and sunset.

Original Okinawa Landscape, titled Seawall Stroll. Shows Sunabe Seawall at low tide during midday.

Crystal: How do you cultivate your creativity?

For me, creativity is about shifting perspective - seeing the familiar in a new light. I intentionally will break patterns, like changing the time of day or tide I shoot, to keep my work fresh. Sometimes, I’ll ask others what they most love about Okinawa, which helps me see the island through their eyes and spark new ideas.

Original Okinawa Landscape Metal artwork on display in Kadena Education Center // Remote Work Okinawa location

Original Okinawa Landscape Metal artwork on display at an event at Kadena Gift Corner in 2023

When it came to bringing my work to clients in the most impactful way, I didn’t want to settle for the traditional prints. My goal was to give my customers more than a print - I wanted an impressive way to remember Okinawa, while accommodating the challenges of moving military families. Creative thinking led me to metal prints - they’re durable, but have unmatched vibrancy and realism. Printing on metal allowed my photographs to transform client’s walls into windows back to their Okinawa paradise.

Members of Shop Oki Local Directory (SOLD) at Haisai Holiday hosted by Kadena Exchange

The artist, Crystal Zinn, at Haisai Holiday hosted by the Kadena Exchange

Shop Oki Local Directory (SOLD) logo

MilspoFAN: How do you meet other artists or plug into the local arts scene when you PCS?

Crystal: When we PCS, I’ve found that connecting with other artists means connecting with fellow entrepreneurs. Many artists are also business owners, and small business owners are creatives in their own right. I love meeting people who balance both worlds - building businesses while giving back to their communities.

In Okinawa, I took this passion a step further and founded SOLD Shop Oki Local Directory). It started as a way to help the military community discover + connect with SOFA, base-approved, small businesses and quickly became a platform similar to a chamber of commerce, where business owners can network, collaborate, and support each other.

In the past 15 months, SOLD has become a thriving community. Through meet-ups, events, and shared resources, we’ve helped members grow their businesses and build lasting connections. Each PCS is an opportunity - not just to adapt, but to contribute and create something meaningful.

MilspoFAN: What is the most practical piece of advice that you would give to other artists?

Don’t let perfectionism stop you from experimenting. Early on, I focused on the joy of creating and capturing beautiful things. I didn’t worry about how the world would judge my work. The experimentation was invaluable to learning.

When I’m shooting, I challenge myself to take no more than two or three shots from the same perspective before finding a new angle. This simple practice forces me to think creatively and experiment. Sure, I end up with some “duds’, but I’ve also captured some of my favorite shots this way.