Check Out This Week’s Mom Boss Monday Featuring Svetlana Boyko of Svetlana Boyko Photography!
Svetlana Boyko & I met last year through my networking group. I reached out to her just to tell her how much I love her work. I think I probably embarrass her because I constantly gush over her, & tell her how much I adore her work & there is no other photographer that has any photos like hers. My husband, as many of you know is a photographer but their styles are very different. He adores her work as well. Svetlana put in the WORK to be the success she is. She put hours upon hours into learning. She is constantly taking new courses to master her skills. I have worked with her twice now & cannot wait to work with her again. Her style & expertise is in a class of its own!
1) Name: Svetlana Boyko
2) Where are you from: I was born in Vladivostok – a Russian far eastern seaport on the Pacific Ocean.
3) What is your business name/info? Svetlana Boyko Photography, located in West Windsor Township, NJ. (Princeton Junction is a portion of West Windsor)
4) How did you get involved with photography?
I left my regular 9-5 job to start a family. Shortly after my son was born, I lost my father, who passed away unexpectedly in Russia. It was a difficult time. My mom was filled with grief & I really wanted to do something special for her. I started taking baby pictures of my newborn and sending them to my mom. Daily, I would take anywhere from 200-300 photos a day and send them to her, so she would wake up in the morning and see her grandson. It would cheer her up, make her feel better, and give her the strength to go about her day. At first, I took the pictures on my iPhone. Then, I purchased my first DSLR with a kit lens. Then, I got formal training and upgraded. Lots of parents take pictures of their firstborn and share them with friends and family. Upon realizing that I have a talent for it, as well as great affinity for the work, I decided to take it to the next level. For me, this meant deciding to make it my chosen profession and a business. I never went back to my 9-5 job. I am now a full- time professional photographer, specializing in stylized photo sessions for children, families, newborns and personal events, like weddings, birthdays, baby showers or sweet sixteen celebrations.
5) What are the biggest challenges you face in your business?
My biggest challenge is time management. As I continue to grow my business, finding the right work life balance and spending time with my family is a challenge, particularly since weekends are the busiest time for me professionally.6) How do you manage your time effectively?
It’s a work in progress. I prioritize and plan each day, and then make sure I follow through on it.7) Tell us about a challenge you faced & overcame!
My biggest challenge was getting started as a professional photographer. Practice makes perfect. Putting in the time to get as much as experience as possible. I did free sessions and sessions that were priced for next to nothing. I did this in order to get the experience interacting with different families, & children, etc. These days, I have developed an approach of interacting with children and only need a few moments with a child, in order to figure out how to get beautiful, unforgettable pictures.8) Who inspires you & why?
I have many instructors, here in the US and in Russia, who have helped me develop my skills. They have inspired me by sharing their skills and teaching me about the craft of photography. I also follow other photographers and try to stay on top of new developments, to put my own unique brand on popular trends.9) What do you do for fun?
This may be weird but I can’t live without my camera. When I don’t have clients I grab my kids and we take interesting pictures.10) What makes you a MOM BOSS?
Doing what I love. I quit the rat race, discovered a passion and pursued it without reservations. Wanting more. I didn’t want to just settle for taking iPhone photos. I wanted to go bigger and better. Taking risks. I struck out on my own and have all the responsibility of making my business successful. I accept the risks that come with that. Devotion to my children. The first thing I do every morning is make breakfast for my kids.**How can we find you?
Check out last week’s Mom Boss Monday here!
