We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Iwona Podlasińska a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Iwona thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?

Success is a deeply personal concept, varying from one individual to another. Many people define success as having immense wealth and fame, and while I agree to an extent, my perspective is slightly different. Money is important, but only to the degree that I can live without constant financial stress and afford meaningful experiences—like traveling a couple of times a year. As for fame, I don’t believe being recognized on the street would bring me happiness, but building a reputation in my own business holds great value.

Once an individual determines what success means to them, it becomes easier to measure their progress toward it. For me, this realization came from my childhood experiences. My parents started their own construction design company, and my father poured his heart and soul into it. It was his “baby,” and he sacrificed time and financial stability to keep it afloat. My strongest memories of that time are filled with the constant stress of securing contracts, ensuring employees were paid, and keeping the business running. The expectation was that I would take over the family business when my father retired, but deep down, I knew that was not the right path for me.

Despite earning a degree in architecture and working in the field, I found myself drawn to something completely different—photography. What others saw as a mere hobby, I saw as an opportunity to redefine my future. I made the bold decision to reject the financial power and security that running my parents’ business could provide because the price—living in stress—was too high. To me, success meant working less, earning enough to sustain my lifestyle, and doing something I genuinely love.

Of course, this transition was not easy. Breaking into a new field is incredibly challenging, and I understand why many people are hesitant to take that leap. My advice to those considering a similar path is to leverage any extra skills or passions they have, starting as a side job before transitioning into full-time work. Establishing contacts early on is also crucial. Many people attempt to build something entirely on their own because they want to keep all the profits, but I believe that forming strategic partnerships can be far more valuable in the long run. As the saying goes, “Not everything that is profitable is worthy, and not everything that is worthy is profitable.” Understanding this principle has been key to my success.

Even now, I collaborate on projects that may not provide immediate financial gain, but they help build my name in the industry. Being part of a larger initiative allows me to network with people who may bring valuable opportunities in the future. Ultimately, I chose to walk away from my parents’ business because, despite its profitability, I knew it would not bring me long-term happiness.

Now, I teach photographers worldwide how to capture stunning images of children. I travel, do what I love, meet incredible people, and earn enough to meet my needs comfortably. I consider this my success story. But none of this would have been possible if I hadn’t taken gradual steps—starting photography while still working a full-time job, entering competitions not for profit but to build my name, and being open to collaborations that would pay off in the future. Success is not just about money or fame; it is about making choices that align with one’s true passions and values. And for me, that is the greatest achievement of all

Iwona, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

About Me: Iwona Podlasinska

Creating family albums was an important tradition in my family, and from an early age, I developed a deep appreciation for capturing memories. I have always loved making things aesthetically pleasing, and when I started taking photos of my own children in 2014, I wanted each image to be unique. What began as a personal passion quickly turned into an incredible journey. I started by photographing my kids, then gradually expanded to capturing other children, creating images that exist somewhere between reality and a dream.

I am drawn to deep tones, glorious light, and thoughtful composition. My goal is to capture breathtaking childhood moments and warm, cozy scenes that evoke emotion. I carry my camera everywhere I go, always searching for that one perfect moment. Over the years, my work has evolved, and I now dedicate much of my time to sharing my knowledge with other photographers around the world.

In 2016, I began traveling with my workshops, teaching photographers in over ten European countries, the USA, Brazil, Canada, and China. I also provide online editing tutorials for those who can’t attend my workshops in person. My mission is to help other photographers and mothers discover the magic in everyday life through photography.

My work has received international recognition. I was honored as the most famous photographer on Flickr in 2017, and my photos have won numerous awards in global contests. I have spoken at prestigious photography conferences and been featured in leading photography magazines. In 2015, one of my images was the fifth most popular photo on Flickr, and in 2017, I had the number one most popular image. I was also named Photographer of the Year in the International Photo Awards Contest in the Professional Still in Motion/Video category.

My passion extends beyond capturing images—I love teaching and inspiring others. During my workshops, participants learn how to photograph children both indoors and outdoors, making the most of available light and scenery. I also share my editing techniques, revealing all my tips and tricks to help photographers refine their craft.

For my work, I use a Sony A7IIIR camera with Sony 85mm 1.4GM, Sigma 135mm 1.8, and Sigma 50mm 1.4 lenses. I primarily edit in Lightroom, sometimes using Photoshop for additional enhancements.

I invite photographers and photography enthusiasts to join me on this journey. Let’s shoot side by side, uncover the beauty of childhood, and bring imagination to life through photography.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

In 2014, while on maternity leave, I discovered my passion for photography. I started practicing by taking creative photos of my children and sharing them online. As my skills improved, I gained recognition among other photographers. After returning to work as an architect, I continued nurturing my passion, but I quickly realized that if I were to turn this hobby into a career, it would be through teaching rather than offering local photography sessions.

As people admired my work, they began asking for tips and techniques. I decided to set aside an hour in the evenings to schedule calls with those who wanted to learn from me and started charging for these sessions. The demand was significant, and soon, I received my first invitations to run workshops. Around this time, I also began participating in photography contests and establishing social media accounts.

The early years were challenging—I worked full-time as an architect while teaching photography in the evenings and on weekends. It was exhausting. Eventually, I decided to leave architecture, but the transition was gradual. I still had active contracts, so I stopped taking on new projects and shifted my focus to photography. Over time, I expanded my offerings to include online courses, tutorials, presets, and overlays.

Today, photography is my full-time career, and I couldn’t be happier. The key milestones—recognition online, my first workshops, contest successes, and strategic collaborations—helped shape my journey. Passion, persistence, and calculated risk-taking turned my side hustle into a thriving business.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I started my social media journey early enough to gain extensive experience, but I also recognize that the landscape is constantly evolving. There is no one definitive answer on how to successfully run a social media presence—you must adapt and grow with the platform.

When I was starting out, simply posting my photos was enough to gain new followers. That approach is no longer effective in today’s fast-paced, algorithm-driven world. At one point, I established a guiding principle for my social media: to inspire, to teach, and to inform. Every post I create must align with at least one of these three categories.

Inspiration – I share my work to inspire those who follow me. People choose to follow me because they want to see my photography and be creatively motivated.

Education – Teaching is a valuable offering that helps me engage with my audience and attract new followers. By sharing my knowledge, I encourage people to seek more from my content.

Information – I provide updates on relevant topics, such as industry events, equipment recommendations, and photography-related insights.

One thing I strongly avoid is posting purely for my own gratification. If a post doesn’t provide value to my audience, I don’t share it. I firmly believe that establishing a clear purpose for your social media presence—tailored to your business or craft—helps filter content and ensures consistency.

Additionally, authenticity is key. Trends come and go, and while it’s important to stay aware of them, I only participate in those that are relevant to my work. For example, there was a time when dancing on camera was a popular trend, but that had nothing to do with photography or my personal brand, so I chose not to engage.

For those just starting out, my advice is to define a clear purpose for your content, provide consistent value, and evolve with the platform. Engaging with your audience, sharing your expertise, and maintaining authenticity will help you build a meaningful and lasting presence on social media.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://iwonapodlasinska.com/en/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iwonapodlasinska/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iwonapodlasinskaphotography/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@IwonaPodlasinska

Image Credits

8 images: Fotografie Iwona Podlasińska
photo of me: Ponsko Portraits