Fold began with a simple idea to create editorial features through longform essays, interviews, photography, and video. That spirit shaped Through the Lens, now the flagship of Fold. From that foundation, Fold has grown into a broader publication. The serialized narratives of The Sarah Smith Files and The Kristin Valentine Chronicles bring voices and continuity, while Art & Film offers criticism, reflection, and cultural essays. Together, these collections expand on the original vision, but the spirit remains the same: everything is seen, shaped, and told through the lens.

Kristin holds a bachelor’s degree in history with a focus in Jewish history from the University of Maryland, College Park. She served in the U.S. Army for six years, including a deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (2004–2005). Following her honorable discharge, she joined the Los Angeles Police Department, where she currently serves as a detective in Hollywood, Los Angeles.

In 2019, Kristin was selected for two prestigious Los Angeles writing initiatives: the Geffen Playhouse Veterans Writing & Performance Project, where veterans develop and perform original stage works, and the Writers Guild Foundation Veterans Writing Project, a year-long mentorship program supporting emerging veteran writers.

After more than twenty years of serving both her country and the city of Los Angeles, Fold’s founder, writer, and photographer, Kristin, returned to her enduring love of storytelling, photography, and the visual arts. Through Fold, she invites others into that same space because she believes everyone has a story to tell.

Fold is a non-commercial, independent creative project. No advertising, services, or compensation are involved.