HER STORY ⟡ Ivana of Ivana Desancic Portraits
Today we are meeting Ivana of Ivana Desancic Portraits!
The biggest mission of my studio is to create an experience that empowers women and to create portraits that shape their confidence and goals. Us as women tend to be so hard on ourselves, always putting others first, always being behind the camera.. that is why my sessions are all about YOU and only YOU. Yes, you are more than welcome to bring your children, partners, friends, pets, whoever you would like to include in your special day.. but we will make sure that you exist in the photos as well. Some day your loved ones will look for photos of you.. think about what would they find.
Almost every single person I photograph tells me they are not photogenic and they would never be able to look as good in the photos as my other clients do.. Almost every person has said that, until they were in front of my lens.
My team of professional hair and makeup artists always make sure to do your makeover exactly to your tastes, my collection of beautiful dresses take you to a fairyland in a second, and then it all comes together with my professional posing and lighting. You will never be alone through the process, I will be there to pose you and guide you making sure you look, and most importantly, feel like the best version of yourself. Don't wait for the perfect moment and treat yourself, no matter if it's just a celebratory shoot, boudoir, family, business, or all in one!
Why I started:
I realized I wanted to be a photographer when I got my first phone that had a 2 megapixel camera. I started taking photos of everyone around me and quickly realized I had an eye for it. Coming from Bosnia and Herzegovina, a country with very little opportunity, I had to wait to pursue my dream. As soon as I moved to the United States in 2016, I started working on it. Now I am an American citizen, I have my own studio and I have been published internationally in magazines and galleries, and won multiple awards on different photography competitions. That is why one of my favorite quotes is: "A single dream is more powerful than a thousand realities." Anything is possible!
What impact do you hope to make through your business?
The media has been doing everything in their power to bring women down and to make us self-conscious about how we look, about how we dress, basically about everything that we do. Photography industry has been guilty of it too, and I do not want my business to promote beliefs like that. I want my business and my photography to brake those barriers and show that ALL women, no matter their age, size, skin color, or anything at all, are perfect exactly the way they are.
Who or what inspires you?
Again, other women in my life. That is probably why I devoted my whole life and business celebrating them and empowering them. We are so incredibly strong and powerful. I still can't believe the challenges we face every single day, just because we are women, and the way we handle them is truly admirable and worth celebrating.
What is your favorite piece of advice you've ever received (or favorite quote)?
1. "A single dream is more powerful than a thousand realities." - Unknown
2. "Fear is the mind killer." - Frank Herbert, Dune
How do you handle self-doubt and maintain confidence in your entrepreneurial journey?
It gets really hard sometimes. No matter how successful you get, the doubt will always creep in. I try to recognize it right away, and have a little talk with myself. Even though I already know those are intrusive thoughts, I have to remind myself, and I have to look over everything that I have done so far, because when you look at the big picture, the negative thoughts start getting smaller and smaller until they make no sense at all.
Can you share a moment when you felt truly proud of your accomplishments as an entrepreneur?
When I won Adobe's award as the Top Talent Photographer in 2019, when I was only 20.
How do you continue to learn and grow as a business owner?
I always try to keep up with all the new technology, I love going to conferences and investing in my knowledge, and learning from other photographers that I really admire.
What advice would you give your past self just starting your business or to a woman wishing to start her own entrepreneurial journey?
Don't be afraid to charge your worth.
Follow along at:
Instagram: @ivanadesancic.portraits
