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Krista Zivcic finds her space in the sport By Kayla Zadel
Krista Zivcic has quickly made space for herself within the sport of drag racing , and it doesn ’ t take much to find her photographs that are uniquely different . Open up social media or even pick up an issue of Drag IllustrateD , and Zivcic ’ s work speaks volumes without having to write a single word . Zivcic has taken a passion-driven approach to entering and thriving in the motorsports photography industry and the relentless pursuit of personal and professional growth . What started as a passion project soon became a full-time pursuit , especially after she was laid off from her healthcare job due to budget cuts .
The Ohio native will tell you that her career path wasn ’ t conventional , given her background in healthcare . From getting an invite from React 104 ’ s founder Corey Michalek to take photographs at Summit Motorsports Park ’ s Night Under Fire to then getting swept up in a learning whirlwind with the fellow entrepreneur to working with a social media marketing company and eventually starting her own business , KZ
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Photography , Zivcic ’ s tale has been a “ Cinderella story ,” as she calls it .
Just a few years into her photography career , Zivcic ’ s photo of Funny Car driver Ron Capps , taken at the 2023 NHRA U . S . Nationals , was selected for the cover of the 2023 Drag IllustrateD Photo Annual issue . Zivcic was shooting Capps ’
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Don “ The Snake ” Prudhomme tribute Funny Car , and while capturing this special moment , she was also recording memories of her own .
“ That was super cool and really , honestly , one of my proudest moments so far ,” shares Zivcic of her published cover photo .
The Capps photo evokes deep emotions , making the viewer feel the intensity of the moment captured . Much can be said about Zivcic ’ s images – they resonate with the viewer on a personal level , capturing raw , genuine emotions .
“ The cars going down the track are the coolest thing in the world , right ? But the emotions and the aspirations behind why that car is going down the track is what drives me the most ,” explains Zivcic .
“ People have their own lives and stories and their reasons for doing things , and I like to tap into that and really let the story come out through the photos ,” she adds . “ It ’ s not the same 30 pictures of the car taking off on the starting line . I want to hear why you ’ re here ; why is it that you ’ re doing what you do ? What is the driving force behind it ? And why is it so important to you today ?”
She is now full-time at KZ Photography , shooting clients who compete in the NHRA , helping React104 with various projects for the PDRA , and working on expanding her already established client list , which includes JCM Racing ,
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PHOTOGRAPHS BY DAVID HILNER AND KRISTA ZIVCIC |