We were lucky to catch up with Wanda Bogacka Plucinski recently and have shared our conversation below.

Wanda , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s jump right into how you came up with the idea?

How I Turned My Creative Passion into a Full-Time Photography Business I never went to school for photography. I didn’t have a career path that naturally pointed me in this direction. But creativity — in all its forms — has always been part of me.
Growing up, I enjoyed drawing and painting and later in my 20’s I enjoyed taking photos. I was captivated by moments — by movement, expression, and light. But for most of my life, creativity was something I did “on the side.” A hobby. A passion. Never a profession.
Dance was another deep love — especially emotion of ballet and ballroom. That fascination only grew when my daughter began competing in ballroom dance. At every competition, I’d find myself glued to the edge of the floor, camera in hand, capturing emotion behind the performance. It wasn’t just a mom snapping photos — it felt like I was preserving magic. And I couldn’t get enough.
Professionally, I worked in the travel and hospitality industry — a world of airports, itineraries, and endless movement. But even there, photography found its way in. Wherever I traveled for work, my camera came with me. I’d shoot landscapes, hotel interiors, street scenes, people — and slowly, my images started appearing in company brochures and websites. It wasn’t part of my job description. But it was a part of me. Still, I never considered doing it full time. Not yet.
That changed in 2020.
Right before the world shut down, I had just completed my yoga teacher certification. I had practiced yoga for over two decades — not just as exercise, but as a way of living, breathing, and staying grounded in a chaotic world.
Then… COVID hit.
Like so many others, I lost my job in the travel industry. The stability I had relied on vanished almost overnight. At first, I felt unsure of what was next. But sometimes, when one world ends, another begins.
With more time, and fewer distractions, I turned fully toward the camera. I started working with a friend — a yoga teacher, entrepreneur, and studio owner whom I took my yoga teacher certification with — to document her journey. She needed photos to grow her brand, especially on social media. I had the creative eye, and now, I had the time. That collaboration was more than just a project — it was the beginning of everything for her and me.
She became my first paid client.
From there, I took on paid gigs and unpaid ones, anything that would help me refine my style and build a body of work. I gravitated toward yoga photography — a space where movement, light, and emotion could live together in one frame. I wasn’t just snapping poses; I was telling stories. That niche became my calling.
I worked with everyone from well-known wellness brands like Athleta and Alo Yoga to independent mom-and-pop shops with heart and hustle. I partnered with influencers — some with massive followings, others just starting out — helping them shape their online presence with authentic, beautiful imagery. I covered major events like Summer Solstice in Times Square, Yoga in the Park at Bryant Park in New York City, Ahimsa Yoga and Music Festivals, as well as smaller, soulful gatherings sponsored by major brands like Gaiam.
And I didn’t just take photos. I wrote too for various magazines — creating editorial pieces that combined portraiture and storytelling to showcase the real lives of yogis behind the practice. Their journeys became part of my own.
But here’s the thing — I had to learn everything myself.
I wasn’t trained. I didn’t have a photography degree or a mentor showing me the ropes. I had my eye — and a stubborn belief that I could figure it out. So I did. I spent nights up until 3AM, watching YouTube tutorials on camera settings and editing. I learned by doing. By failing. By trying again.
And that’s how I knew this wasn’t just a fluke — this was worth it. Because when you stay up all night editing, not because you have to but because you want to — that’s purpose. When clients come back, not just for your work but because they trust your vision — that’s alignment. When creativity no longer lives on the sidelines of your life but sits right at the center — that’s a calling.
Today, photography isn’t just what I do — it’s how I move through the world, how I connect, how I serve.
From ballroom dance floors to yoga studios, from corporate brochures to editorial spreads — it’s been a journey built on heart, hustle, and a camera.
And this is just the beginning.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m a photographer and visual storyteller, and I specialize in creating professional photography and organic behind-the-scenes videos for creatives, influencers, and brands. My work is all about capturing the real, moments that often say the most—pushing my subjects to their edge to reveal what they didn’t know was possible. I also offer creative direction on set, cues, helping both individuals to go deeper and brands feel confident and grounded in their message, while guiding them to show up as their most honest, powerful selves.
At the heart of everything I do is a deep respect for authenticity. My editing style is intentionally subtle—I believe in enhancing, not altering. I’m firmly against any kind of deceptive retouching. Instead, I aim to highlight your best self, your product, or your story in a way that feels true, organic, and beautiful. I work with a wide range of people, from highly accomplished yogis and successful brands to individuals who are just beginning their journey or who have faced serious life challenges, including cancer, eating disorders, and other deeply personal struggles. What matters to me isn’t perfection—it’s connection, presence, and truth.
What I’m most proud of is the safe, inclusive space I’ve built where people from all walks of life can feel seen, celebrated, and empowered. Whether you’re a creator, a brand, or simply someone with a story to tell, I’m here to help you express it—visually, honestly, and with heart. If you’re looking for someone who cares as much about the process as the final image, someone who will guide and support you while honoring your story—I’d love to connect.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Simple, always be true to your word. Do what you said you will do. Provide more value than anyone else.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Most of my clients are all repeat clients and referrals. Being consistent with what you do, your style of photography to your editing style will help you grow your clients and even fans. Some might say that having a niche is not a good idea and that it limits you. I think the opposite. I think it makes you an expert in your field. You can learn about things in the general sense but stick with one thing that you feel most passionate about and become an expert in that. People and companies will seek you out and pay you for your expertise.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.wandaphotography.com
• Instagram: @wanda.photography
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wanda.bogacka/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wandatravels/

Image Credits
Wanda Bogacka Plucinski