From Educator to Photographer: My Journey Behind the Screen

My journey into photography began long before I ever imagined building a business around it. At age 12, I watched my mother dive into a college photography course. I can still remember the endless rolls of film, the creative projects she brought home, and the way she used her camera to turn everyday life into art. She sparked something in me.

By high school, I was experimenting on my own, teaching myself techniques, and learning how light and composition could transform a moment. Alongside photography, I was also deeply immersed in visual arts—sketching by hand, experimenting with Microsoft Paint, and pushing myself to create bold graphic designs. Over the years, I evolved from those early hand-drawn and digital beginnings into a self-taught designer, always advancing with the latest technology and software, and developing a versatile graphic design portfolio that complements my photography.

Life took a turn in 1996 when I chose to pursue a career as an educator, and the camera was set aside. But passion has a way of calling you back. In 2005, a friend reignited my spark when he began shooting portraits for his music clients. Inspired, I picked my camera back up.

What began as a rekindled hobby grew into Ionna Photography and Imaging, a company founded on passion, artistry, and the drive to keep learning. I started unofficially in January 2010, and by November 2013, I made it official as an LLC.

Since then, my mission has been simple: to capture people at their very best while also offering powerful design solutions. Whether it’s portraits sculpted through digital artistry, or distinctive graphics for logos, branding, business cards, flyers, and brochures, my focus is always on delivering quality that feels one-of-a-kind—and doing so at an accessible price.