We were lucky to catch up with Anna Obolonskaya recently and have shared our conversation below.

Anna, appreciate you joining us today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

Coming from a conservative family household, where corporate job is the only possible way to earn money, my idea to pursue a creative entrepreneurship career was a bold move. When I first got into photography, I was reaching out to all my friends to ask them if they need any photos to be taken. Some were happy to help, and some were promising to reach out “tomorrow”. Very quick I realized that my friends are not my clients. That single thought was one of the most powerful insights I had to transition to the next level. I learned that my friends dont have to be my customers, there is an audience who will love my craft and my goal is to be able to reach those people. When I focused on my ideal client, requests started to come in and soon I had an expanded portfolio and had a big pool of clients who were keep recommending me to their friends.

Anna, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

As long as I remember myself I was always into arts. At the age of 12 I went to art school and was studying academic drawing for 5 years. After finishing art school I chose university that would give me an opportunity to use my creative skills together with analytical mind. My major was in information technology in design. But after graduating, I felt that creative side of me was stronger. I found a job in Advertising in Moscow, Russia .

My life circumstances made me move out of Russia in 2013 and I found myself in the new country (USA) with an open book, no friends and opportunity to have a fresh start. I always wanted to have my own business and had unstoppable passion for photography, storytelling and working with kids. So I thought there is no better time to start your own business, then now. Start was slow and I had to learn all the little details of what it means to run my own business, but it was all worth it. There is a known expression of entrepreneurs to be able to wear many hats. I felt the need to fill the gap in my financial education and while running photography business enrolled in Harvard certificate program. And up to these days I still constantly learn. I feel that to be able to provide the highest service, I need to always stay on track of what will bring the best value to my customers.

I specialize in birth photo and videography, newborn photography, and maternity photography. First few years I worked from my home photography studio until at the end of 2019 I was able to move to a bigger and brighter space in Hoboken, NJ by signing my first commercial lease.
I have a strong skill in capturing gorgeous luxury maternity portraits with professional lights and backgrounds like you would see in the most expensive studios. With hundreds of photographers on the market, I make sure I separate myself with the highest quality of images and the most creative, beautiful, unique photos. I invest huge part of my profit in education, making sure I follow all trends and I’m staying in the Top newborn photographer list.
In the middle of 2021 me an my family relocated to Dallas area and my photography business moved with me.
Currently serving Dallas and all surrounding areas including Plano, Mckinney, Frisco, Allen, Prosper, Celina and Richardson

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

It’s not easy to put yourself out there, starting social media separate from your private account feels like you are so behind and it’s easy to believe you have nothing special about your work. And I know, you dont want to hear that, but everyone started one day. And all it takes is consistency and authenticity. Would you agree if I tell you, that there is no copy of you walking around in this world? Yes. So there is no one does the work the way you do. Everyday, when posting, I try to remember that I have my own unique voice. And my message has a power to reach 10 or millions of people. And every day I get that chance.
If you are just starting out, write down these two things:
– who you are and what is your channel about
and
– who is your ideal customer.
And every time you get lost or discourage, just reconnect to the answers on questions above and keep moving forward!

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I know from a first hand experience that women go through one of the hardest life transformations by becoming mothers. And my life goal and purpose to bring a light on the most beautiful part of this journey and help them to see the divine part of creation that is already in them.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://artfitnessflow.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artfitbaby/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artfitbaby
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-obolonskaya-1b744b55/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/artfitbaby-plano
• Other: https://vimeo.com/user51926102