We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful ILona Serchenko. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with ILona below.

ILona, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear the story of how you went from this being just an idea to making it into something real.

As long as I remember, I have been obsessed with photography since I was a little girl back in Ukraine. When I turned 17, my parents gifted me my first professional camera, and I was so excited to bring it along on my journey to come study in USA pursuing my next level of education on full ride tennis scholarship.

Eventually, as I started travelling more all over the world (28 countries and counting) I became obsessed with capturing insta-worthy, travel blogger shots of myself and my significant other.

In 2018, when my first son was born – a new mother was born as well. Wanting to capture, and freeze every fleeting moment of my son’s life – I found a big joy in doing it! My perspective in photography shifted into being obsessed capturing that perfect shot for people around me. That was my Aha moment I wanted to become a lifestyle photographer!

It took me 3 years to dive into, and learn the ropes of the photography business. The most important was to find my vision in who I am, and define my specialties in photography, that I felt most passionate about. I hope you can learn all about it, as you browse through my website and get to see my works at www.joytoyouphotography.com

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am so glad to find you in here getting to learn about me and what iLona Serchenko Photography has to offer. I strive on capturing beautiful photographs, the ones that represent joy, and the ones that make you feel so! The four main specialties in lifestyle portrait photography I focus are the following: Family, Motherhood, Lovers, and Fur Buds. I describe my style as modern, elegant, timeless, vibrant, and most importantly authentic to you. I pride myself in delivering high-end customer service and being there for you along the journey. From identifying the vision of the session, to narrowing down locations, to creating the looks you’ll love and feel confident in, and till the very last moment of receiving the photos, and maybe even more of ordering photo albums, which will let you get ahold of that intangible feeling of joy. Remember, I will be there for you throughout the whole process! You can learn more about and connect with me directly at www.joytoyouphotography.com/contact

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I always find it so funny, how before I dreamt of a 9-5 job for stability and security, and then how blessed I was to never have it! Now I work 24/7 various hours, depending on when I have a moment balancing life with 2 kids under 4. And guess what?! – I love it, and would not trade it for anything! I love being my own boss. I love being able to have a balance of being present for my kids when I want, and work for my business the hours convenient for me, even though some days it can be at midnight . I love the opportunity of having such a creative job which from my hobby turned into a full time profession. And what I love the most in my job is to connect with so many amazing customers, learn about their story, and get to capture joyful, and true to them moments, they will cherish for a lifetime.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

When I got clear on the path of iLona Serchenko Photography’s journey, and truly decided to really stick in to my photography passions I had my heart on – that was the moment I decided to focus on myself. I decided to become the best version of me! That was the moment I found myself to be unique. I let myself to unleash it, and to thrive by it in my photography journey. I also found on Google that my name iLona is a derivative of ilo-joy, so that is where ~Joy To You~ slogan is coming from, and truly represents my ultimate goal. As much as I fell in love with my own uniqueness, so do I believe to see and capture people around me in their own unique way and authentic moment. I believe when two are combined with a hint of the direction – magic is created through the lens of my camera.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.joytoyouphotography.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/joytoyou_photography/
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/ilonaserchenkophotography
• Other: Hello Video: https://www.instagram.com/p/CaVS_ZaFspc/

Image Credits
iLona Serchenko Photography www.joytoyouphotography.com