Meet Jola Jablonska of Jola Photography

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jola Jablonska.

Jola, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was born and grew up in Poland. In my early twenties, a photographer friend of mine gave me the book National Parks of America by renowned landscape photographer David Muench. I was fascinated by the natural beauty of North America captured in the photos and this began my love affair with photography–as well as with this country!

It became my dream to visit America’s national parks, and in 2000 it came true when I accepted a position as a designer at an architectural firm in Chicago. With my backpack and old film camera, I had the opportunity to visit and photograph some of this country’s most famous parks–Grand Canyon, Zion, and others.

Photography then was just my amateur passion. That changed in 2009 when I lost my job as a designer due to the economic recession. It was an extremely difficult time for me but I knew it was also a sign from the Universe to do something different with my life, something more creative, more challenging, more aligned with my passion and with who I am. It was a time of looking within, a decision-making time: Do I want to continue to work for a corporation or for myself? I chose the second option and in 2010 I founded Photo Light Chicago; then in 2013 when I moved to California Jola Photography was born.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Struggles are part of life and necessary for our growth. There are so many along the way for immigrants and business entrepreneurs… from language barriers and cultural differences to trying to survive in the competitive arena of photography as a female immigrant. I remember my first promotion attempts with flyers and going to potential clients with presentations, experiencing rejection on an almost daily basis! I learned to grow a thick skin very fast, but also about my strengths and weaknesses. I knew that as long as I loved what I was doing I would be able to overcome any obstacles that arose.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Jola Photography story. Tell us more about the business.
I specialize in architectural, interior, showroom and product photography for Southern California (Los Angeles and Orange County) and I continue to do landscape and travel photography worldwide. Over the years I have worked with interior designers, architects, builders, and advertising companies, and I am fully dedicated to helping customers effectively showcase their projects and products by providing high-quality photography and professional, friendly service.

I emphasize quality over quantity, giving a lot of attention to details, composition, and set-up. Probably my attention to these areas sets me most apart from my competition.

What I especially love about photography is that it can allow for an infinity of expressions.

We can look at the world from many points of view, each view colored by our personal belief system. That is why I love this work–because it has endless possibilities. I really like that photography has become so mainstream, too. That with our phone cameras all of us can express ourselves everywhere we go.

For me, photography is an expression of my creativity and true Self. It also offers a deep commitment to serving others with my skill. I consider myself blessed to do what I love and I am grateful to my family and friends for supporting me in my dreams.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
“Luck Is What Happens When Preparation Meets Opportunity.”

This quote, by Seneca, reminds me every day that we make our own luck. Optimism and a positive attitude are also crucial to success in life and business. They were absolutely essential for me in finding my way. It was very important to stay positive, disciplined, and with a focused mind. Meditation and yoga helped me achieve my goals, and maintaining a positive outlook helped me to master the mechanics of photography and to feel comfortable in my discipline. If you are ready for it, the right opportunity will always arrive. I am enjoying my journey every day!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jolaphoto.com
• Phone: 949 667 0703
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/jolaphoto1/
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/jolaphoto/?pnref=lhc
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/jolaphotos
• Other: www.houzz.com/pro/jola73/jola-jablonska-photography

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