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

Hi Viktoria, thanks for joining us today. One of our favorite things to brainstorm about with friends who’ve built something entrepreneurial is what they would do differently if they were to start over today. Surely, there are things you’ve learned that would allow you to do it over faster, more efficiently. We’d love to hear how you would go about setting things up if you were starting over today, knowing everything that you already know

It’s amusing because I’m currently in this situation myself. I changed my country two years ago, and this change has posed significant challenges. I used to be a well-known photographer in my home country, but upon arriving in LA, I had to start from scratch. With only three acquaintances here, it felt like beginning an entirely new business adventure.

I had experience working with celebrities in Bulgaria, and I immensely enjoyed that aspect. When I moved to Los Angeles, I expected to run into them on the streets daily. However, this city is huge, and the chances of encountering someone are slim.

So, my initial strategy was to develop a Los Angeles portfolio. I collaborated on photoshoots with new acquaintances who quickly became friends; it’s easier here because practically everyone looks like a model. Then, I reached out to local photographers who were already established in the industry, offering to be their second photographer for events they covered. Additionally, I regularly engaged with Facebook groups, Craigslist, and dedicated effort to my social media channels. Consistency is paramount.

Reflecting on my journey, I can draw a parallel to when I was 17 years old and just starting. Back then, my approach was more about pursuing my passion, and I didn’t focus on developing a business mindset. Now, I find myself in situations where that business mindset would be valuable. It’s a matter of finding balance.

Viktoria, 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 I mentioned before, I was 17 years old when I started. I didn’t know what I wanted to do or study, which is common in our society. One day, I was in a computer repair shop, and a small digital camera ended up in my hands, a gift from my parents. I began using it every day, capturing nature, landscapes, and more. My interests started to grow, and within a few years, I found myself with some of the best equipment in the market and had attended workshops with big names in the industry. I fell in love with photography and even got a tattoo of a digital camera to remind me of the entire journey.

Regarding my photography, it has been 11 years since I started, and during this time, I have provided various types of services. People can book me as their event photographer, covering corporate, family, and fashion events. I create content for brands, models, influencers, and small business owners. I conduct professional photoshoots with models, corporate headshots, and actor portfolios. I also work with celebrities as a personal photographer, covering concerts and behind-the-scenes moments for music videos.

I believe I stand apart from others because I prioritize my clients’ needs. I promptly deliver pictures after events, demonstrating my responsibility. I make it a point to be early, arriving before the time requested by people.

I am most proud of having achieved many of my dreams in photography and in life. As people say, there is no dream without the opportunity to achieve it.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

The lesson I had to learn is that the ego is not your friend. It will always make you feel bad when things don’t go the way you expected. In my opinion, you should never have any expectations, especially when it comes to your dreams.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

Honestly, word of mouth- the oldest and the most powerful tool.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.victoriasirakova.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VictoriaSirakovaPhotographer
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-sirakova-642b01122/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/victoria-sirakova-los-angeles?osq=Victoria+Sirakova