Behind The Print: Chasing The Night Sky with Kuria Jorissen
Welcome to the latest episode of Behind The Print, where we bring you the creative stories of industry leaders shaping the world of professional printing. In this episode, I sit down with Kuria Jorissen, owner of Call of the Mountains Photography, to explore her passion for capturing the night sky. From stargazing as a child to earning a BFA in photography, Kuria has dedicated her craft to astrophotography, bringing the cosmos to life through her lens. We’ll dive into her ‘Chasing the Night Sky’ project, her journey as a photographer, and how she uses print materials to showcase her celestial art.
Below, you’ll find the transcript of our conversation, edited for clarity to ensure easy reading. If you want the full, authentic experience, make sure to check out the video attached below.
8-minute read
“That image became my best-selling piece, and honestly, that whole trip changed my career.” Kuria Jorissen, Owner of Call of the Mountains Photography
Transcripts from Behind The Print with Kuria Jorissen, Photographer & Owner of Call of the Mountains ART
Welcome back to Behind The Print podcast, where we feature industry leaders and uncover the creative minds behind businesses in the professional printing world. Our mission is to provide you with inspiring, actionable resources to elevate your business projects and accelerate your journey to excellence in profit and print.
Today’s episode is Chasing The Night Sky , and I’m here with Call of the Mountains ART Owner and Photographer, Kuria Jorissen.
Kuria Jorissen: Yay!
Zoe Fisher: How’s your day going today?
“Some of them even think my photos are AI-generated! But trust me, nature does a much better job at creating beauty than AI ever could.” Kuria Jorissen, Owner of Call of the Mountains Photography
Kuria Jorissen: It’s going pretty well. We have nice weather here in Washington today. It’s been a little windy, so it’s nice to have just our normal gray.
Zoe Fisher: That’s good! Can you take us back to your first memory of stargazing? What was it like? How did it spark your love for the night sky?
Kuria Jorissen: A little history about me, I was born in Washington but raised in Colorado. My first memory of the night sky would be with my parents and my brother, out in the Colorado wilderness, staring up at the stars. My brother and I were trying to figure out constellations, and we were so excited when we finally spotted the Big Dipper. As adults, we know that’s an easy one, but as kids, it felt like a huge accomplishment.
I’ve always loved the wilderness and stargazing. We used to wish on the first star we saw, hoping our wishes would come true. Nowadays, we probably end up wishing on a lot more planes than actual stars!
Zoe Fisher: That’s true! And with all the light pollution today, there are definitely fewer visible stars.
Kuria Jorissen: Yeah, but the great thing about living in the U.S. is that we actually have a lot of really dark sky places and International Dark Sky Sites. Compared to some other countries, we’re lucky to have areas where we can escape the light pollution and see a truly dark sky.
Organizations like the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) are doing great work in promoting better lighting solutions—making sure we direct light where it’s needed instead of flooding everything.
Zoe Fisher: That’s super cool! So, who is your audience as an astrophotographer and artist?
Kuria Jorissen: My audience is anyone who enjoys nature and art. I travel around the U.S. to art shows, selling my prints of the Milky Way and other astronomical sights. A lot of people who grew up in rural areas are drawn to my work because they remember seeing the Milky Way as kids, but they don’t get to experience it anymore. Then there are people who have never seen it at all, especially those who grew up in big cities. Some of them even think my photos are AI-generated! But trust me, nature does a much better job at creating beauty than AI ever could.
There’s also a deep cultural connection to the stars. Different cultures have their own stories and traditions tied to astronomy. For example, in Hawaiian culture, stars were used for navigation. In other traditions, the aurora borealis was seen as a sign of good luck. Or, in some cases, a warning. It’s fascinating to learn about these perspectives.
Zoe Fisher: That’s amazing! Tell me about your project, Chasing the Night Sky. How did it start, and what does it mean to you?
Kuria Jorissen: It actually started as my thesis in college when I was getting my degree in photography at the Art Institute of Seattle. I knew I wanted to learn astrophotography, so I took an independent study course. My professor and I were both learning at the same time, we literally picked up a book and figured it out together.
For Christmas, I got a star tracker, which moves my camera at the same speed as the stars, allowing me to capture sharper images of the Milky Way. That project grew into something much bigger. Spending nights out under the stars, experiencing that stillness and beauty, it’s almost meditative.
“Marketing is another challenge. I love the artistic side, but promoting and advertising aren’t my favorite things. I try to be as organic as possible and let my work speak for itself.” Kuria Jorissen, Owner of Call of the Mountains Art
Zoe Fisher: That’s so cool! What makes Call of the Mountains Photography unique?
Kuria Jorissen: I think what sets me apart is my deep understanding of the science behind astrophotography. I’ve spent years researching light pollution, star movement, and cultural astronomy.
I’ve also started writing a book about astrophotography, detailing how to get accurate, natural-looking night sky photos. A lot of photographers over-edit their work, pushing colors that aren’t really there. I strive to keep my images true to what the night sky actually looks like while still making them visually stunning.
Zoe Fisher: That’s awesome. What challenges are holding you back right now?
Kuria Jorissen: Honestly? The weather.
Aside from that, publishing is hard. I have 95% of my astrophotography book written, but I’m still debating whether to self-publish or go through a traditional publisher. Marketing is another challenge. I love the artistic side, but promoting and advertising aren’t my favorite things. I try to be as organic as possible and let my work speak for itself.
“I strive to keep my images true to what the night sky actually looks like while still making them visually stunning.” Kuria Jorissen, Owner of Call of the Mountains Photography
Zoe Fisher: Well, we are always here to help if you decide to self-publish. If you could travel anywhere to photograph the night sky, where would you go?
Kuria Jorissen: Scotland and Ireland are high on my list. Their ancient stone circles are incredible, and I’d love to photograph the Milky Way over them.
I also hear that Australia has some of the darkest skies in the world. But everything in Australia wants to kill you, so, you know, that’s something to consider.
Zoe Fisher: Fair point! What’s been your most magical shoot so far?
Kuria Jorissen: Cannon Beach, Oregon, hands down. I was there during the Perseids meteor shower, and I captured the Milky Way over Haystack Rock with bioluminescent waves glowing electric blue in the foreground. It was one of those once-in-a-lifetime moments. That image became my best-selling piece, and honestly, that whole trip changed my career in Call of the Mountains Art.
Kuria Jorissen, Owner of Call of the Mountains Photography
Zoe Fisher: That sounds incredible! How can our listeners connect with you and your work?
Kuria Jorissen: You can find me on social media at @CallOfTheMountainsArt, and my website is art.callofthemountainsphotography.com. I also teach workshops in national parks, so if you’re interested in learning astrophotography, check out my site!
Zoe Fisher: Amazing! Everyone, make sure to check out Kira’s work, it’s truly stunning.
That’s a wrap on another episode of Behind The Print. Thanks to our listeners for joining us as we explore the artistry and innovation of the printing world. Remember, have a strong vision, build the right strategy, and use tools like print to amplify your message and make your brand stand out.
If you enjoyed today’s episode, be sure to get your sample pack today from PrintingCenterUSA.com and share it with your fellow business enthusiasts. Until next time, keep your creative sparks flying, and remember, there’s always more to discover behind the print.
Chasing the Cosmos
From capturing the vast beauty of the night sky to building a brand that inspires wonder, Kuria Jorissen of Call of the Mountains Art turns her passion for astrophotography into breathtaking art. Through her Chasing the Night Sky project, she brings the stars closer to earth, sharing celestial moments that leave a lasting impression. Whether through prints, galleries, or custom photography, her work transforms the night into something tangible. Tune in as we explore her journey, her creative process, and the magic of seeing the universe through her lens. Order today!
