We had the good fortune of connecting with Ivana Cajina and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ivana, what’s the most important lesson your business/career has taught you?
One of the biggest lessons I have learned from being a full-time freelance photographer – be kind to yourself and your work also make time for yourself! It is easy for us to get in our heads about our work, especially if we care deeply about it. Being kind to yourself is the one of the easiest but hardest things to do. We truly are our worst critics! Learning this while running my photography business has been key to just keep on going. No one else is going to do it for you but you, you’ll notice a difference in your work once you truly do become your own fan. Oh wow and I can’t say it enough, taking time to yourself is so vital! We can sit here and work all day and night but it does take a mental toll. So important to set time aside to just enjoy things for yourself and not make it about work. Can’t expect to put in 100% all the time if you haven’t spent time to decompress and thats important to remember.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The place I am at now in my career is nowhere near where I was just 5 years ago and I have so much more to do! It has come along with many challenges but I would have to say the biggest factor to overcoming them, was staying consistent. That comes such a long way believe it or not. Through the challenges it is easy to sort of give in to them but there is always a way and continuing on through it has so far not failed me. The consistency is key of course but so is respecting your own value. I learned this throughout the years of starting my photography business. Knowing your worth and not being submissive to what others view your worth as, especially being a woman in this industry. Learning these lessons earlier in the game is vital especially for mental health. I have worked hard to be where I am at and it has just begun. I want my story to inspire others to do this especially other women, latinx women and queer women! I want to normalize the fact that none of this is easy, it takes a lot and having someone to look up to is so important as well as surrounding yourself with friends who do nothing but show you love.

Any great local spots you’d like to shoutout?
Haha well, during these times I would say let’s just stay home! B.C. (before covid) I would certainly take my friend to a few little cute spots throughout Tampa! One of my favorite coffee shops is called King State, I mean I was always there and their drip coffee is perfection. Tampa has a variety of cute restaurants to try, another favorite would be Ichicoro. My favorite ramen. When my friends do come to visit, they also have to catch up with work so I always go to Hyde House which I a co-work space. It offers so many spots to just sit and work, even has a photo studio.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Every single person that has entered my life deserves credit! I am so lucky to have a good circle around me that has done nothing but support me. I do believe that success isn’t just a one-person journey. Along the way you meet so many different kinds of people that pave the way whether its knowingly or unknowingly. Credit goes to all those people that have entered my life and taught me different lessons as well as all my friends and family who have never stopped loving and encouraging me.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/von.co/

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